This paper presents the design and implementation of an Extended Reality (XR)–based tactical support system intended for use in high-risk defence operations. High-risk operational environments, such as defense battlefields, counter-terrorism missions, and disaster response zones, require instantaneous decision-making and seamless situational awareness. Until now, most defense- oriented immersive systems relied primarily on Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) interfaces simply to visualize preloaded mission data, lacking the capability to perform real-time threat identification. Building on earlier technologies, this paper proposes a next-generation Extended Reality (XR)-based tactical platform that performs intelligent on-ground analysis using Edge- Artificial Intelligence (Edge-AI) and a Distributed Sensor Network (DSN). The XR headset is equipped with a compact camera module capturing real-time visual feeds processed through an AI-driven facial recognition model to instantly match high-risk suspects against an encrypted database. Upon detection, the operator receives an immediate XR alert, while the base station receives captured imagery via a two-way wireless transceiver link. By offloading processing to the edge, the system dramatically reduces latency and cloud dependency, overcoming the limitations of traditional centralized surveillance. The integration of advanced hardware—including ESP32 microcontrollers, PIR sensors, vibration modules, and OLED displays—creates a resilient, lowpower, and highly scalable cooperative defense network.

The proposed Extended Reality (XR)-Based Tactical Support System effectively integrates real-time image processing, Edge-AI, distributed sensor monitoring, and wireless communication to deliver a smart, highly responsive solution. By offloading facial recognition and threat analysis to the edge, the system escapes the latency and reliability pitfalls of traditional cloud-based architectures. The seamless fusion of OLED-driven XR visualization with multi-sensor environmental awareness (motion, vibration) ensures that field operators are continuously protected and informed. Its low-power design, decentralized resilience, and cost- effectiveness make it a cornerstone architecture for modern IoT-based defense, safety, and immersive tactical applications.

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