---
title: "The Army Is Outfitting Troops With A Futuristic New Heads-Up Display"
description: "The U.S. Army is [developing]() a brand new piece of technology ripped straight out of “Call of Duty” — Tactical Augmented Reality, a heads-up display designed to enhance situational awareness under any conditions."
date: "2017-05-25"
modified: "2017-05-25"
authors:
  - name: "Jared Keller"
    job_title: "Former Managing Editor"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/jaredkeller/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-tar-heads-up-display/"
categories:
  - "Army"
  - "Military Branches"
  - "News"
  - "Tactics"
  - "Tech & Tactics"
---

# The Army Is Outfitting Troops With A Futuristic New Heads-Up Display

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03/18989697-1.jpg>)

The U.S. Army is [developing](<https://www.army.mil/article/188088/heads_up_display_to_give_soldiers_improved_situational_awareness>) a brand new piece of technology ripped straight out of “Call of Duty” — Tactical Augmented Reality, a heads-up display designed to enhance situational awareness under any conditions.

A one-inch by one-inch eyepiece, the TAR was [developed](<https://www.army.mil/article/188088/heads_up_display_to_give_soldiers_improved_situational_awareness>) by Army Research, Development and Engineering Command's Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center as the equivalent of night-vision goggles on steroids. The eyepiece constantly feeds GPS and video data through a monochromatic heads-up display that functions day or night, from a 2D overlay of an area of operations to real-time designating fellow squadmates, mission targets and enemy forces.

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03/image-placeholder-title-384.jpg>)

The TAR technology enables a tiny, heads-up display attached to the helmet, as modeled by Staff Sgt. Ronald Geer, a counterterrorism non-commissioned officer at CERDEC's Night Vision and Electronics Sensors Directorate, during Lab Day at the Pentagon, May 18, 2017.Photo via DoD

Staff Sgt. Ronald Geer, a counterterrorism NCO at CERDEC's Night Vision and Electronics Sensors Directorate, said that the eyepiece can connect wirelessly to a soldier’s body camera, a tactical tablet like these [recently ordered by the service](<https://defensesystems.com/articles/2017/03/27/tablet.aspx>), and even the thermal sight mounted on an assault weapon.

Through a split screen, a soldier can peek downrange by raising his rifle above cover without exposing himself.

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/03/image-placeholder-title-385.jpg>)

The TAR unit.Photo via DoD

Most importantly, each TAR augments situational awareness not just for individual soldiers, but entire units. [According](<https://www.army.mil/article/188088/heads_up_display_to_give_soldiers_improved_situational_awareness>) to Greer, the TAR’s wireless uplink allows troops to share info with far-flung comrades on the battlefield or back at HQ.

When you describe it like that, it really does like a “Call Of Duty” comms channel with fewer adolescent boys and gay jokes. Just look at the damn video:

According to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), several TAR prototypes are already [getting](<https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/research/a26654/darpa-augmented-reality-soldiers/>) a workout with “certain units” downrange.

We can’t wait to see the DoD’s highlight reel of these guys in action — just as soon as I’m done with this game.

## Author
Jared Keller is the former managing editor of Task & Purpose. His writing has appeared in Aeon, the Los Angeles Review of Books, the New Republic, Pacific Standard, Smithsonian, and The Washington Post, among other publications.

### Author social links  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/jaredbkeller>)  
[Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/jaredbkeller>)  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredbkeller/>)  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/jaredbkelller/>)