Augmented Reality could be deployed as part of UK counter-terrorism measures, according to a report from Juniper Research. 

The report suggests that by 2015, the market for mobile apps that incorporate AR elements will exceed $300m (£184m), and that deployments in areas such as crime-fighting and counter-terrorism are likely to emerge. It also says that AR will be deployed in the corporate world and the medical sector by 2015.

"Video recognition technology has become increasingly valuable as an aide to combating crime and terrorism - a well-publicised example recently being the identification of Osama Bin Laden by the US military prior to and in the aftermath of their raid on his compound," says report author, Windsor Holden. "It is highly likely that AR apps which would also incorporate location awareness will soon be developed for security service handhelds - if they are not already in development."

According to the company, the UK government is already looking into AR. Logica is working with the government on a project which aims to identify current and future AR capabilities, whilst evaluating them against various security and counter terrorism scenarios.

A Mobile Augmented whitepaper and a video whitepaper on the subject are both available on Juniper's website, together with details of the study, Mobile Augmented Reality: Opportunities, Forecasts & Strategic Analysis 2011-2015.