Why the US Military is Using Augmented & Virtual Reality in 2026
In this episode of the Becoming Dauntless podcast, we take a deep dive into the transformative role of extended reality (XR), augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR) in the US military and defense sector. Our hosts, Sofia Lazaro and Lori-Lee Elliott, are joined by Dan Meeks, an immersive reality professional and founder of Defiant XR, with over a decade of experience in military simulation and electronic warfare. Together, they explore how XR is revolutionizing training, operations, and innovation across the Department of Defense, and what the future holds for AI-powered defense tech.
This is our first episode of the Deep Dive Series where we talk to augmented reality and virtual reality experts from different industries. This week Daniel Meeks joined us to talk about what it's like developing extended reality applications for training and military operations.
Our Spotlight: Dan Meeks
Dan Meeks is a leading expert in immersive and extended reality, with 11 years of service as an AC-130U electronic warfare officer and instructor in the US Air Force. After his military career, Dan spent 14 years developing advanced simulation and image generator systems for the Air Force, before founding Defiant XR to focus on cutting-edge XR solutions for defense and industry.
Connect with Dan:
Website: defiantxr.com/officehours
LinkedIn: Dan Meeks
Key Takeaways from the Episode
1. XR in the Military: Beyond the Hype
XR technologies are widely used for military training, simulation, and operational planning, from pilot training transformation to medical simulation and marine navigation.
Special operations units often lead experimentation with new XR tech, leveraging their agility and resources for rapid prototyping and deployment.
2. Volume vs. Customization: Defense Procurement Realities
Unlike commercial markets, defense contracts often involve low volume, highly specialized solutions tailored to unique mission requirements (e.g., NASA, special operations).
Success in defense XR is about solving specific, high-impact problems—not mass-market adoption.
3. ROI and Use Cases
Cockpit trainers and simulators remain a top use case, offering high ROI by reducing costs and risks associated with live training.
Medical training and specialized AR displays are emerging areas with strong demand.
4. Tech Trends to Watch
Additive AR displays (like DigiLens and Vuzix) are gaining traction, offering improved comfort and reduced motion sickness compared to traditional pass-through headsets.
On-device processing and ruggedized, field-ready XR headsets are seen as critical for the next generation of military and industrial use.
5. AI and Security in XR
AI’s role in XR is multifaceted: from enabling smarter computer vision and object recognition to providing real-time, context-aware training and operational support.
Security and data privacy are top concerns—especially in classified environments (SCIFs). Features like “zeroize” buttons and on-device AI processing are must-haves for defense adoption.
6. The Future: More Options, Smarter Hardware
The market is moving toward greater hardware diversity, onshoring, and open standards (OpenXR), enabling more secure, mission-specific solutions.
There’s a growing recognition that XR is a powerful tool for specific use cases, not a universal replacement for existing technologies.
Episode Highlights
Military XR Use Cases: From medical simulation to special operations, discover how the military is pushing the boundaries of immersive tech.
Procurement Insights: Why selling to the government is about focus and specialization, not mass production.
AI & Security: How AI can help (and hinder) XR adoption in defense, plus best practices for secure deployment.
Hardware Wishlist: What experts want from the next generation of XR headsets—including outdoor use, ruggedization, and on-device intelligence.
Entrepreneurship in Defense XR: Lessons on building a sustainable, impactful business in a niche but vital market.
