Panoramic thermal-imaging driving system for military vehicles introduced by Senso Optics

March 11, 2014
YOKNEAM, Israel, 11 March 2014. Senso Optics in Yokneam, Israel, is introducing the Senso Drive panoramic night-vision system for military vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and main battle tanks with night driving capability in the harsh conditions of military operations.

YOKNEAM, Israel, 11 March 2014. Senso Optics in Yokneam, Israel, is introducing the Senso Drive panoramic night-vision system for military vehicles, armored personnel carriers, and main battle tanks with night driving capability in the harsh conditions of military operations.

The Senso Drive has a thermal imaging camera for night vision, and comes in two versions: one with the thermal camera on the top of the vehicle, and one called the SensoDrive-P with a periscopic thermal driver vision system for under-armor driving capability.

Today, most of the existing electro-optical solutions for night driving are night-vision goggles, which the driver sticks to his helmet with clips, company officials say. This solution limits the driver, as well as the night-vision goggles cannot detect hot bodies like a thermal vision camera can.

Related: DRS to develop enabling technologies for special-ops multispectral night-vision goggles

The Senso Drive enables driving in complete darkness, and could cope with all weather conditions. The SensoDrive provides a clear picture within a few seconds from turn-on. It could be mounted on any vehicle, officials say.

The Senso-Drive- P is a panoramic night-driving system designed to fit small spaces of armored vehicles. The system enables combat driving through hostile environments, and gives the driver a wide angle of view with a realistic perspective of the route and objects.

SensoDrive-P enabling covert entrance into a danger zone, even in total darkness and enables protected passage through fog, smoke and dust.

Related: Army considers upgrading night-vision sensors with mid- and long-wave IR imaging components

SensoDrive-P comprises a military grade thermal (IR) camera fit into a small periscope with a wide field of view that helps the driver maintain situational awareness without being exposed to threats.

SensoDrive-P complies with Mil-Std-810, is nitrogen-filled and sealed, and maintains image clarity under harsh operational conditions. It has real-time image-processing algorithms that prevent glare by fire or heat radiant sources.

SensoDrive-P enables the driver to navigate between burning objects at night, and has a micro bolometer 25-micron, 384-by-288-pixel resolution uncooled sensor, with 57-by-43-degree field of view and folded 7-inch TFT liquid crystal display with 800-by-480-pixel resolution. The system weighs five pounds.

For more information contact Senso Optics online at www.senso-optics.com.

About the Author

John Keller | Editor

John Keller is editor-in-chief of Military & Aerospace Electronics magazine, which provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronic and optoelectronic technologies in military, space, and commercial aviation applications. A member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since the magazine's founding in 1989, Mr. Keller took over as chief editor in 1995.

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