Thales UK is advancing armored vehicle situational awareness with a new suite of software-driven surveillance technologies aimed at accelerating target detection while reducing crew workload in high-threat environments. The company presented the capabilities at the 2026 International Armoured Vehicles (IAV) Conference, highlighting solutions designed to counter fast-evolving battlefield threats such as drones.
Central to the offering is DigitalCrew, a software-based system that enhances existing armored vehicle sensors using advanced algorithms rather than new hardware. The system employs automated object detection to identify heat signatures and movement, helping crews maintain vigilance during extended surveillance operations. DigitalCrew also enables real-time multi-mode target tracking, allowing remotely operated weapon stations to stay locked on fast-moving aerial and ground targets.
DigitalCrew fuses imagery from multiple sensors, blending daylight and thermal video feeds to improve clarity and continuity as operators shift between cameras. While most functions rely on automation, machine learning tools assist with target identification and classification, with users able to train the system using their own data. A built-in turbulence correction feature compensates for heat shimmer and atmospheric distortion, restoring detection and reconnaissance performance.
Complementing the software, Thales also showcased TrueHunter, a panoramic above-armor gimbal sight designed for continuous target detection and designation. Weighing 78 kilograms and offering 360-degree coverage, the system reduces blind spots and integrates infrared sensors, a laser rangefinder, and the SharpView laser designator, which can also be deployed on drones and other platforms to maintain accuracy in degraded weather conditions.
