Innovations & technologies

This British Army tank comes equipped with X-ray vision

The British Army unveiled a tank concept this month that comes equipped with advanced technologies that could make even Superman blush.

The “Streetfighter II” was put to the test during training exercises in early January that were designed to evaluate combat efficiency of joint armor and infantry operations in urban settings. And while the armored behemoth is supplemented with elements reminiscent of its predecessors, the Streetfighter II employs a new feature that could dramatically enhance the capabilities of tracks and accompanying infantry.

The IronVision X-ray system, made by the Israel-based Elbit Systems, enables tankers to see a full 360 degrees of their vehicle’s exterior without opening a single hatch. The added protection is welcome in urban environments where enemies have substantial cover and can take advantage of a vehicle’s blind spots.

The innovative tech comes with a network of both infrared and electro-optical cameras, coined “situational awareness cameras,” that are distributed around the tank’s hull. The camera network then transmits real-time imagery in high resolution and full color, day or night, into IronVision’s high-tech display in the tanker’s helmet visor. The IronVision visor contains a tracking mechanism that transmits visual data based on the tanker’s line-of-sight and head position.