Electronic Displays are being integrated into military vehicles with greater frequency to provide enhanced situational awareness and lethality, a wider range of driver vision in degraded environments, and additional safety features such as assisted driving, lane departure, and backup cameras.  To be effective in modern defense, military vehicle displays need to be ergonomic and rugged – they must work in extreme conditions. In military vehicles, displays are designed to operate seamlessly under a wide range of environmental conditions, such as bright sunlight, solar radiation, temperature extremes, vibration, high altitude, and pressure variations. Additionally, they must be resistant to physical stressors such as high humidity, dust, and impact. 

Ruggedization Requirements for Military Vehicle Displays

In order to ensure their functionality in these challenging environments, ruggedized displays are designed and configured with specialized components, materials, and electronics. Military vehicle displays must meet MIL-STD-810’s requirements, which is the military testing standard for how equipment must perform in harsh environments. Materials used to ruggedize this equipment include chemically strengthened glass, specialized LCDs and optics, corrosion-resistant painting and coatings, and specially constructed bezels and enclosures. 

Military vehicle displays are configured with high-brightness LCDs, anti-reflective and anti-glare coatings, and optically bonded cover glass or touchscreens to improve contrast ratios to achieve high visibility even in direct sunlight and high-glare conditions. For low-light operation, displays are engineered with dimmable capabilities and specific LED of NVIS-filtered backlighting that complies with MIL-STD-3009. This standard establishes the requirements for emissions from display equipment intended for night vision imaging systems (NVIS). By using these technologies, displays maintain readability across a wide variety of extreme lighting conditions. 

Night Vision & EMI Compatibility

Displays that are compatible with Night Vision Goggles (NVG) are essential for covert operations and in low-light conditions. NVG compatibility allows defense teams wearing Night Vision Goggles to clearly see the information on the screen in nighttime and near-dark conditions. Non-NVIS displays will emit too much visible and near-infrared energy, severely degrade the use of NVGs, and potentially compromise troop positions during covert operations.  

EMI shielding per MIL-STD-461 is a critical requirement of LCD displays used in military vehicles, as a display not protected from EMI is susceptible to electromagnetic and radio frequency interferences from vehicle operation, as well as external sources, which can manifest as image distortion, horizontal or vertical lines, and discoloration. Additionally, LCDs that are not shielded from EMI can radiate emissions and create vulnerability to being used to track troop movements or collect intelligence. 

Integration with Military Systems

Rugged displays can be used in many different types of defense systems, including light, medium, and heavy-duty tactical military vehicles, aircraft cockpits, naval command and control centers, and mobile systems. Rugged displays provide critical information to teams, such as navigation, topographical info, vehicle health information, and communications from other crews. Teams rely heavily on these technologies to display mission-critical data, improving safety and effectiveness. 

Growth of the Industry: Cost & Procurement Challenges

In 2024, the global military displays market accounted for 1.33 billion US dollars and is expected to reach 2.30 billion by 2034 (Predence Research). Global technological advancements consistently drive the industry forward. Additionally, investment in digital communications and innovative display technologies to support new applications fuels market growth. 

Stringent regulatory requirements for defense uses can make display design, component selection, and procurement a lengthy process.  In addition, rigorous testing and certification are required to ensure that displays meet optical, mechanical, and environmental performance and safety standards.

Several strategies can be employed to balance cost and compliance in defense display equipment procurement: 1) using a compliance checklist to ensure that the selected LCD’s and components meet all program requirements without including additional cost drivers; 2) understanding and documenting LCD roadmaps and support lifecycles; 3) selecting vertically integrated vendors that can control manufacturing costs, supply chains, and timelines    Preliminary design reviews (PRD’s) and readiness assessments can ensure that procurement decisions align with broader goals and resource availability and guide cost-effective and compliant decisions. 

Managing Display and Component Obsolescence 

To manage obsolescence, proactive strategies can be implemented. Continuous monitoring of component lifecycle status can help anticipate obsolescence and plan accordingly to mitigate risks. Additionally, manufacturers can source components from multiple suppliers to reduce dependence on a single source.  Using proven domestic manufacturers whenever possible improves communication, shortens transit times, and provides greater supply chain control.  In addition, modular system architecture will allow for easier upgrades and replacements of individual components without redesigning an entire system. 

Cevians: Shaping the Future of Military Vehicle Display Technology

Military vehicle displays must be rugged, high-performing, and long-lasting to support military vehicle programs and defense operations.   Cevians advancements in display technology, cybersecurity measures, and supply chain resilience, including multiple North American manufacturing facilities and engineering centers, provide enhanced reliability to ensure customers’ mission success now and in the future.

Cevian display technology in military vehicles provides robust, high-performance visual performance critical to defense operations. These displays are built to withstand extreme environments, offering high brightness, anti-glare coatings, and night vision compatibility. With strong resistance to impact, temperature extremes, and electromagnetic interference (EMI), Cevian military vehicle displays are cost-effective, provide high reliability, and ensure clear video and tactical information, even under the harshest conditions.