How do military vehicles see at night? Driving cameras
Quick answer: A military vehicle driver uses a thermal driving camera to see the road at night and through dust and fog, and FOTONİKS builds seven different models for that task. KAPLAN, Çöl Kedisi and DTV-E are uncooled thermal cameras; DUAL, KUZGUN DUAL and D-VIS are dual-band (thermal plus visible) models; DAT-2 uses fusion imaging; and DNV 2.0 relies on a low-light detector alone. All are designed for integration on different vehicle types and feed an image to the driver through a display.
Why a thermal driving camera?
Military vehicles travel blacked out, with headlights off, on most missions. A thermal camera converts heat differences into an image, so it works in the complete absence of light and behind dust and smoke; the driver can pick out an obstacle, a ditch or a pedestrian on the road. The company’s product pages give the same rationale: the level of vision is critical if the driver is to operate the vehicle in all conditions. The same sensor technology adapted for the gunner is examined in the KESKİN family, and its all-round version for the crew in the situational awareness systems.
Where the family divides: single band, dual band, fusion
Single-band models (KAPLAN, Çöl Kedisi, DTV-E) deliver a thermal image only, making them the leanest and lightest solution. On dual-band models (DUAL, KUZGUN DUAL, D-VIS) the driver switches between the thermal and visible bands. DAT-2 combines the two images in the same frame: according to the company, fusion overlays low-light detail on the thermal silhouette and restores depth perception. In his March 2026 remarks to Defensehere, sales and marketing manager Altan Bora said the fusion camera consists of a low-light camera and a thermal camera and that the aim is to increase the soldier’s situational awareness. DNV 2.0 sits at the other end of this range: instead of a thermal detector it uses a high-sensitivity low-light detector and allows driving without headlights or infrared illumination.
Official technical data
| Model | Type | Main published figures |
|---|---|---|
| KAPLAN | Uncooled thermal | 7-14 μm; <570 g; 50 mK NETD |
| Çöl Kedisi | Uncooled thermal + manual pan-tilt | 8-14 μm; 640×512; 17 μm pixel pitch |
| DTV-E | Uncooled thermal | 8-12 μm; 12 μm pixel pitch; 45°x37° field of view; MIL-STD-810H |
| DUAL | Thermal + CCD day | Two wavebands in a single housing |
| KUZGUN DUAL | Thermal + CCD day | 8-12 μm; <7 kg; 17 μm pixel pitch |
| D-VIS | Thermal + visible band | STANAG 4347 detection criterion; MIL-STD-810H; low latency |
| DAT-2 | Fusion (thermal + low light) | 8-14 μm; 1.7 mrad; 50 fps; MIL-STD-810H |
| DNV 2.0 | Digital low light | 1920×1080; 3.75 μm pixel pitch; 70°x43° field of view |
Their place in exports
Driver’s vision cameras are the first known item in the company’s exports. In the 2021 MSI Turkish Defence Review (MSI TDR) interview, Cem Yazıcıoğlu said DVE cameras were in serial production on the export vehicles of a Turkish armoured vehicle manufacturer. Which model is used on which vehicle has not been officially disclosed. The details are set out in the export file.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between KAPLAN and Çöl Kedisi?
Both are uncooled thermal cameras. Çöl Kedisi has a manual pan-tilt mechanism and a stated 640×512 detector in the 8-14 micron band; KAPLAN is fixed-mounted and is listed at under 570 grams.
What does fusion imaging add?
On DAT-2 the thermal image is merged with detail from the low-light camera. According to the company, this restores the depth perception lost in a thermal-only image and makes it easier to spot hazards on the road in advance.
Which vehicles are these cameras fitted to?
The manufacturer presents all models as suitable for different vehicle types; the specific vehicle models they are integrated on have not been officially disclosed. Its reference list includes land vehicle manufacturers such as FNSS and UNIDEF.
Is DNV 2.0 a thermal camera?
No. DNV 2.0 uses a high-sensitivity low-light CMOS detector instead of a thermal detector; 1920×1080 resolution and a 70-degree horizontal field of view are the published figures.
Is there a version for civilian vehicles?
Yes. The company’s civilian category lists the DGG digital night vision system and the Baykuş thermal driver’s camera for road vehicles, and the Panter and Çok Göz systems for trains.
Sources and verification note
- https://www.fotoniks.com.tr/tr/urun/surucu-termal-kamerasi-kaplan — Accessed: August 12, 2026
- https://www.fotoniks.com.tr/tr/urun/termal-arac-kamerasi-col-kedisi — Accessed: August 12, 2026
- https://www.fotoniks.com.tr/tr/urun/termal-surucu-kamerasi-dat-2 — Accessed: August 12, 2026
- https://www.fotoniks.com.tr/tr/urun/dual-gorus-kamerasi-dual — Accessed: August 12, 2026
- https://www.fotoniks.com.tr/tr/urun/dual-band-surucu-kamerasi-d-vis — Accessed: August 12, 2026
- https://www.fotoniks.com.tr/tr/urun/dijital-gece-gorus-surus-kamerasi-dnv-20 — Accessed: August 12, 2026
- https://www.fotoniks.com.tr/tr/urun/surucu-termal-gorus-kamerasi-dtv-e — Accessed: August 12, 2026
- https://defensehere.com/tr/fotoniksten-fuzyon-termal-kamera-amacimiz-askerin-durumsal-farkindaligini-artirmak/ (March 30, 2026) — Accessed: August 12, 2026
Technical values are manufacturer statements; integration platforms and delivery quantities have not been officially disclosed.
