Indra has developed an augmented-reality system that allows soldiers inside an armoured vehicle to effectively “see” through its hull, giving crews a continuous 360-degree view of the battlefield without exposing themselves to threats outside.
The Spanish defence technology company describes the concept as “transparent armour”. Instead of relying solely on periscopes, viewfinders or separate internal displays, crew members wear augmented-reality glasses connected to cameras mounted around the vehicle.
Images from those cameras are projected into the wearer’s field of view. Looking towards the side or rear of the vehicle can therefore provide a view of what is happening outside, even though armour physically blocks the crew member’s line of sight.
Information from the vehicle’s mission system can be overlaid on the imagery, allowing sensor and tactical data to appear alongside the outside view. Multiple information sources can either be combined into a panoramic picture or displayed on configurable virtual screens.
Indra says the system can also tailor what is shown according to whether the wearer is the driver, commander or gunner, as well as the stage of the mission. The aim is to reduce the time crews spend switching between different displays and interpreting fragmented sensor feeds, particularly during high-stress operations.
The company sees the technology as particularly useful in urban combat, where threats can emerge rapidly from several directions and crews may need to remain protected inside the vehicle.
Indra is positioning the system for both future European main battle tank programmes and upgrades to existing armoured fleets. It also reflects a broader shift towards armoured vehicles operating as connected battlefield nodes, exchanging sensor and targeting information with other platforms rather than fighting in isolation.
