Tracked high-performance engineering and pioneer vehicle
- Multi-camera 360° DVE/SAS and excavator support
- Enhanced side-line coverage
- Day and night operation
- Qualified for arctic environments
- In service with the Norwegian Army
CEDALION
Situational Awareness Systems & Driver Vision Enhancer
CEDALION
Situational Awareness Systems for Defence Ground Vehicles (DVE & SAS)
CEDALION is a high-performance Driver Vision Enhancer (DVE) and Situational Awareness System (SAS) for defense land platforms that drives operational superiority and ensures secure, effective operation while crews remain protected under armor.
Designed for a wide range of vehicle types, retrofit and new programs, Kappa's Situational Awareness Systems are in service across multiple nations. Its modular, scalable, and configurable architecture enables seamless adaptation to specific mission requirements and vehicle platforms. As a turnkey solution, CEDALION is based on the modular the ArmorEye camera family (electro-optical and thermal imagers) with a high-performance Video Distribution Unit (VDU) and ruggedized displays. The system supports flexible multispectral sensor configurations, including data fusion — delivering an ultra-low latency video stream for the entire crew.
CEDALION is engineered for long-term operational readiness and prepared for future software-driven enhancements, including advanced image processing and AI-enabled capabilities.
Complete system solution
- Cameras, video management and displays
- Modular to meet to specifc vehicle requirements
- From cameras to turnkey solutions
- Seamless, mission-specific vehicle integration
Flexible sensor combinations
- Up to 20 cameras and 4 crew displays
- Based on ArmorEye Cameras
- Electro-Optical Imager / Thermal Imager
Centralized processing unit
- Augmented reality
- Prepared for future AI algorithms
- Product roadmap for future upgrades
Scalability & Safety
- Outstanding image quality
- Near zero latency single view
- Safe & exact threat detection
Multispectral technology
- 360° seamless stitching
- Image fusion
- Day & night missions
Lifecycle assurance
- ITAR-free
- Long term availabilty
- Maintenance and integrated logistics support
ArmorEye camera family: Flexible vision modules for CEDALION systems
Kappa’s Armor Eye product family of advanced rugged camera solutions forms the modular basis for Cedalion DVE and SAS systems. Designed for maximum flexibility, the portfolio enables customized, program-specific system architectures and seamless integration. A range of camera box configurations – including Single, Duo VIS+LWIR, Duo angled, and Quad – supports flexible sensor setups with electro-optical (EO) and thermal imaging (TI) technologies. This modular approach allows precise adaptation to different vehicle platforms and mission requirements. Our solutions can be configured with mission-specific fields of view and optimized DRI performance to ensure reliable situational awareness. Benefit from maximum flexibility and robust performance for day- and night operations, 24/7.
CEDALION Situational Awareness Systems & Driver Vision Enhancers: empowering safer missions
CEDALION systems offer scalable configurations, ranging from single camera modules to fully integrated 360° surround view solutions. This modular approach allows seamless adaptation to different vehicle platforms, operational needs, and mission profiles. Whether enhancing driver vision in constrained environments or delivering full situational awareness in complex scenarios, the system ensures optimal coverage, improved safety, and reliable performance in day- and night operations.
Video Distribution Unit (VDU) – Central to CEDALION Systems
As an integral part of the CEDALION platform, Kappa's Video Distribution Unit (VDU) serves as the central processing element for scalable DVE and SAS system architectures. It enables configurations with complex multi-camera systems (up to 20 cameras). Built on a high-speed, FPGA-based architecture, the VDU supports multiple HD-SDI camera inputs and distributes them to several outputs with ultra-low glass-to-glass latency. Integrated control interfaces and H.264 IP streaming enhance system flexibility and enable efficient video and data sharing between vehicles. The VDU manages camera selection, processing, and routing. It combines and scales multiple video streams, supports driver assistance functions, and adds tactical overlays such as text and symbols. Advanced image processing ensures consistently sharp and clear imaging, even under challenging ambient light conditions.
CEDALION: Scalable Solutions for Retrofit and New Vehicle Programs
CEDALION supports a wide range of integration scenarios, from upgrading existing platforms to equipping new vehicle programs. Its modular architecture enables flexible system configurations tailored to specific mission requirements, vehicle types, and levels of complexity. Whether deployed as a retrofit to enhance operational capability or as a fully integrated solution in new platforms, CEDALION ensures consistent performance, scalability, and seamless integration into vehicle architectures.
The following examples illustrate typical application scenarios across different use cases..
Reference GDELS PIRANHA 8x8 Sappeur
CEDALION situational awareness is integrated on the GDELS PIRANHA 8x8 Sappeur platform, enhancing crew perception and operational awareness in demanding environments. The system provides a comprehensive, ultra-low latency view, supporting safe maneuvering and fast informed decision-making in complex mission scenarios.
Infrared and visible image fusion for enhanced situational awareness
As part of the CEDALION platform, Kappa optronics combines thermal and electro-optical imagers to deliver reliable vision in all lighting conditions. By fusing both sensor streams in real time, the system significantly enhances the perception of relevant scene information. The fused image unites thermal contrast with natural visual detail, enabling drivers to detect critical objects while maintaining intuitive orientation. This results in improved recognition of obstacles, terrain features, and hidden threats – both day and night. Advanced image fusion provides a clear operational advantage: users benefit from the strengths of both spectral domains in a single, optimized view.
Electro-optical and thermal imager fusion – see more, instantly (ex. daylight scene)
This video shows electro-optical video, thermal imaging video, and the fused result. In the daylight scene, the fused image reveals more information than each source alone – for example, persons behind a bush become clearly visible due to their heat signatures. Within CEDALION, real-time fusion combines detailed electro-optical imagery with thermal information into one intuitive view, enhancing detection, recognition, and overall situational awareness.
Image fusion – enhanced visibility in daylight scenarios
This video shows electro-optical video, thermal imaging video, and the fused result in a night driving scenario. Image fusion combines both streams into a single view, enabling night vision with color information and fine details, such as road markings like the “30” clearly visible on the ground. A practical example: from inside an armored vehicle, a red traffic light may not be visible using thermal imaging alone. By adding color information from the electro-optical stream, the driver can clearly identify the signal.
Demo Video – Thermal Imager, SXGA LWIR Camera
This video shows a test drive in a European winter environment at -5°C. The showcased LWIR thermal imaging camera is a prototype featuring a 12 µm pixel pitch detector with SXGA resolution (1280 × 1024), delivering exceptional detail where it matters most. It demonstrates strong potential for defense and aviation applications, where high-resolution thermal imaging and reliability are critical.
Key features:
- Advanced LWIR image processing: Incorporates denoising, sharpening, and adaptive tone mapping
- Subpixel optical alignment: Ensures precise alignment for maximum image accuracy
- High image sharpness: Suitable for both human operators and machine vision
- Low-noise performance: NETD below 40 mK with fixed pattern correction for clear, stable images
What is NETD?
NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) describes the camera’s ability to detect small temperature differences. The lower the value, the finer the detail and the clearer the image.
