The U.S. subsidiary Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI) has received a major contract to supply more than 400 units of the SharpView Dual Camera – Minerva vision system to the U.S. Marine Corps. The advanced optronic systems are dedicated to the targeted modernization of the U.S. Marine Corps’ armored fleet and will specifically be integrated into the ACV-P (Personnel) and ACV-C (Command) amphibious combat vehicle variants. Datum und Uhrzeit ändern
Thermal Imaging and Daylight Sensor in a Compact Housing
The Minerva camera system combines thermal imaging and daylight sensors into a single compact housing. The high-resolution, uncooled optronic system was developed as a driver’s vision enhancement and local situational awareness system for military and combat vehicles. It combines an uncooled Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) sensor featuring an HD resolution of 1280 × 1024 pixels with a 12 µm pixel pitch, alongside a Full HD daylight camera delivering 1920 × 1080 pixels. Video output is provided via a fully digital 3G-SDI signal at a 60 Hz frame rate with ultra-low latency for real-time operations.
This dual-band technology offers vehicle crews significant operational advantages by delivering high-resolution, clear real-time imagery even under severely degraded visual environments—such as total darkness, heavy smoke and dust, glare, or adverse weather conditions. This substantially improves situational awareness, enables faster detection of obstacles and hazards, and significantly enhances maneuverability and safety on the battlefield.
Seamless Integration into Existing Vehicle Architectures
According to Chris Beauparant, Vice President of Sensors and Missile Systems at TDSI, leveraging a mature and field-proven solution provides forces with an immediately operational capability without incurring the typical time, cost, and development risks associated with a new design. The ruggedized, military-grade design is specifically engineered for continuous operation on modern military vehicles and allows for seamless integration into existing vehicle architectures.
Minerva Also Selected for XM30 Combat Vehicle
The contract highlights the growing global demand for state-of-the-art sensor solutions to increase the survivability and situational awareness of ground forces. Beyond the Marine Corps, the Minerva system is already being tested and evaluated under the U.S. Army’s XM30 program, which aims to develop the next generation of infantry fighting vehicles.
In these projects, Thales draws on more than three decades of expertise in cooled and uncooled thermal imaging technology, supplying military optronics to more than 50 armed forces worldwide.
Author: Gerhard Heiming, Editor
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