Thermoteknix:
Revolutionising Nighttime Battlefield Dominance

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Advancing Situational Awareness for the Modern War Fighter

In an era where information dominance is as vital as firepower, military forces are demanding more from their dismounted soldiers: faster decision-making, seamless coordination, and around the clock operational capability. Thermoteknix, a UK-based global leader in thermal imaging, night vision and sensor fusion, is meeting these demands head-on with cutting-edge systems that integrate augmented reality (AR) with night vision and thermal imaging.

Thermoteknix solutions are not theoretical or experimental - they are combat-proven and in active service with military and special forces around the world. For military leaders looking to equip their personnel with scalable technology that enhances survivability, without causing cognitive overload to the user, Thermoteknix offers a compelling, field-tested edge.

Over Forty Years of Innovation in the Making

Founded in 1982, Thermoteknix has over four decades of experience in the development of electro-optical systems. The company is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and supplies high-performance technology to clients across defence, security, industrial, and space sectors. Thermoteknix is renowned for its in-house design and manufacturing capabilities, ensuring tight quality control, reliability, and innovation.

The company has been honoured with 5 royal awards for outstanding innovation and international trade, the highest public accolades for a British business. The latest King's Award for Innovation in 2024 was in recognition of the groundbreaking AR system, ARTIM, with thousands of systems delivered to defence forces globally. Thermoteknix has previously been presented royal innovation awards for developing and patenting revolutionary “shutterless” thermal imaging technology which remains crucial to all Thermoteknix thermal imaging products today, while achieving another award for developing its first clip-on thermal imager in 2012 to provide fusion to a night vision device, ClipIR.

Sensor Fusion: The New Standard in Tactical Night Vision

Fused night vision offers significant advantages over using traditional night vision or thermal imaging independently. It combines the strengths of both technologies into a single, integrated display. Traditional night vision amplifies ambient light to create a visible image, providing good detail and depth perception in low-light conditions. However, its effect is limited in environments with no light or where visibility is reduced by smoke, fog, or camouflage. Thermal imaging, in contrast, detects heat signatures, making it effective for detecting people or mechanical objects in total darkness or through visual obstructions. However, depending on object range and environmental conditions, positively identifying targets, or certain key elements of a target (such as weapon systems), can be difficult.

Fused night vision overcomes these limitations by integrating both views, allowing users to quickly detect a potential threat, buy time to make an informed tactical decision, and move to recognise, and identify the target more effectively in a broader range of conditions. This enhanced capability is particularly valuable in military, law enforcement, and rescue operations where reliable vision in challenging environments can be critical to success and safety. This convergence is not just a technological milestone - it is a strategic advantage.

“Seeing is no longer just about light - it's about context. Thermoteknix systems give soldiers not just a picture, but understanding.” Senior UK Ministry of Defence Procurement Official

Our Vision. Your Reality.

When AR is layered onto fused night vision, the system becomes even more powerful. AR overlays of real-time digital information directly onto the user's field of view allows operators to access crucial data without taking their eyes off the environment, greatly improving situational awareness and decision-making speed. In dynamic and high-pressure scenarios, such as battlefield operations, this integration enables better navigation, communication, and coordination by delivering mission-critical information in real-time. Thermoteknix has focussed on ensuring the user has absolute control of the level of information they want displayed, reducing the risk of cognitive overload and streamlining individually relevant information for the task at hand. Meanwhile the user is provided the ability to remove all AR information in a split-second should it no longer be required.

Users can interpret the fused imagery more effectively with contextual cues provided by AR, reducing confusion and increasing mission effectiveness. The combination of fused night vision and AR transform sensory input into actionable intelligence, making it a vital tool for modern tactical and operational environments. The Thermoteknix AR information displayed is clear, relevant, and allows for all informed decision making.

Key AR capabilities include:

• Navigation overlays: Waypoints, compass bearings and terrain cues
• Blue Force Tracking: Real-time awareness of friendly positions
• Target marking and threat ID: Visible only to the user or shared across units
• Live mission updates: Orders, status reports and geospatial intelligence
• Integrated command connectivity: Data flows (including video feeds) from soldier to soldier, and to HQ and back

AR transforms each soldier into an active sensor in a broader command-and-control network - one that can act autonomously while staying fully informed.

Thermoteknix Operational Platforms

1. ClipIR-12 - Clip-on Thermal Imager

Thermoteknix are pioneers in the field of thermal clip-on devices, providing fusion to night vision systems for over 10 years. Continued Research and Development in the technology have led up to the recent launch of the latest, third generation product, ClipIR-12. Incorporating a state-of-the-art, 12µm sensor, it delivers greater thermal detection ranges and greater image resolution while simultaneously reducing size and weight. Over the years, in excess of 25,000 clip-on thermal imagers have been supplied to government and law enforcement agencies around the world.

The ClipIR-12 is a lightweight thermal imager that clips onto standard night vision goggles (NVGs) to provide a real-time thermal overlay. Intended as a modular device, ClipIR-12 can be used selectively as required for specific missions, while having the ability to be procured as a through-life upgrade for existing NVGs in operation. ClipIR-12 offers latency-free performance, exceptional image clarity, and a wide field of view, essential for maximal situational awareness. Various fusion modes are available including full thermal in white hot or black hot, and configurable outline modes.

• ClipIR-12 is compatible with Thermoteknix ARTIM augmented reality intelligent battery pack to provide additional AR capabilities.
• ClipIR-12 is combat-proven, field-upgradeable, and compatible with all monocular and binocular night vision devices in service across NATO.

Operational Impact:

• Rapid target detection in low light, smoke, fog or no-light environments
• Increased detection range
• Enhanced situational awareness
• Seamless thermal-night vision integration with minimal training burden

2. FNVG - Fused Night Vision Goggle

FNVG is the latest all-in-one fused night vision device combining both night vision and thermal imaging offering a superior, fused image displayed in full colour.

Fused Thermal & Night Vision: Seamlessly blend night vision with thermal overlays for unmatched target detection.

Multi-Mode Full Colour Display: Choose from night vision-only, thermal-only, or fused modes to adapt to mission demands.

High-Resolution Optics: Utilising the latest night vision technology provides a crisp, detailed image in the most challenging environments with overlay brightness control and gain adjustment.

Lightweight: Lightest fused NVG in the world weighing <550 grams for minimal burden.

Ergonomic Design: Intuitive controls, and low power consumption for extended missions.

AR Capability: Full AR functionality displayed in colour when combined with ARTIM smart battery pack.

3. ARTIM - Augmented Reality Tactical Interface Module

ARTIM is an intelligent battery module mounted onto the rear of the helmet providing power and AR data to the ClipIR-12 and FNVG. Featuring a proprietary AR processor and embedded smart computer with GPS, ARTIM tracks the user's position and line of sight to provide an ultra-low latency update rate with zero lag AR display. ARTIM integrates to multiple Battlefield Management Systems (BMS), such as ATAK, to provide real-time data to the operator.

ARTIM allows the user to select relevant information at any given time to be displayed in their immediate field of view including real-time routes, waypoints and live friendly force locations (Blue Force Tracking). While connected to ARTIM, ClipIR-12 and FNVG have the ability to display live BMS video feeds from connected sensors, such as UxV's or target locator devices. Furthermore, live images or video feeds taken from ClipIR-12 or FNVG can be sent via the BMS to be shared in real time with other operators across the network.

ARTIM can be used standalone or networked across teammates, enabling:

• Unit and sub unit-level C2 (Command and Control) from the front line
• Real-time, map-based AR overlays updated from HQ
• Secure sharing of target data between units
• Customisable overlays for varied mission profiles
• Partner force location

ARTIM turns every equipped soldier into a sensor, shooter, and communicator within the battlefield network.

Designed for the Modern Battlefield

Thermoteknix systems are engineered for operational environments. Their products are:

Combat-proven: Deployed by military and special operations forces around the world

Lightweight and rugged: Designed for harsh conditions in accordance with military standards

Low power: Essential for extended field operations

Open architecture: Integrate with existing NATO and allied systems

Mission-configurable: Adaptable to infantry, reconnaissance, and special forces needs

Moreover, the company's in-house design and manufacturing in the UK ensures rapid adaptation to client-specific needs, short supply chains, and robust export compliance.

Strategic Benefits for Commanders

Military leaders must evaluate not only the technical performance of battlefield systems, but also their strategic and operational impact. The latest Thermoteknix technology provides measurable advantages in multiple areas:

Faster Decision-Making at the Tactical Edge: With visual and navigational data fused into a single view, dismounted troops can interpret complex terrain and threats more quickly, enabling the user to make a more informed tactical level decision.

Improved Partner Force Coordination and Blue-on-Blue Risk Reduction: AR-based Blue Force Tracking significantly reduces the risk of friendly fire, especially in dynamic urban or partner force operations.

Enhanced ISR Capabilities: Real-time geotagged video and AR-enhanced reconnaissance enables de-centralised command focussed decision making, rapidly reducing the sensor to shooter kill chain.

Greater Soldier Survivability: By allowing soldiers to observe their environment from cover, through a multitude of battlefield obstructions, Thermoteknix next generation imaging systems allow the user to develop and enhance current TTP's without introducing a significant training burden to the user. Ultimately increasing survivability and operational effectiveness.

Technology Multiplication Without Cognitive Overload: Unlike some digital systems that flood the operator with complex data, Thermoteknix fusion with AR technology is intuitive, low-latency driven, and mission-focused - designed to aid critical decision-making at speed.

Vision Beyond Visibility

The operational environment of tomorrow is already here. Urban warfare, grey-zone conflict, peer adversaries, and contested domains require forces that are not only agile and lethal - but also informed, connected, and aware.

Thermoteknix delivers precisely that: a combat-ready suite of fused night vision, thermal, and AR technologies that enable soldiers to see more, know more, and act faster. These are not incremental upgrades; they represent a fundamental shift in how dismounted operations are conducted and coordinated.

In a world where every second counts and every decision shapes outcomes, Thermoteknix is not just delivering visibility, it is delivering revolutionary technological solutions to guarantee battlefield dominance.

For more information please visit:
https://www.thermoteknix.com