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Austars Model
Advanced VTOL & Fixed-Wing UAVs | State-Of-The-Art Technologies for Unmanned & Autonomous Aircraft
Platinum Partner
Trakka Systems
Multi-Sensor Imaging Gimbals, Searchlights and VMS Software for Air, Land & Maritime Platforms
Platinum Partner
Trillium Engineering
UAV Gimbal Payloads - EO & EO/IR Drone Camera Gimbals for Tactical UAS
Platinum Partner
Noxant
High-Performance Infrared Cameras & Cores for Surveillance & Monitoring with Drones & Robotics
Gold Partner
Blitz Technology
UAV Gimbal Payloads & Video Processing Solutions – Multi-Sensor EO/IR Drone Camera Solutions
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Edge Autonomy
Long-Endurance Fixed-Wing & Hybrid VTOL UAVs | UAV Payload Camera Systems | Power Systems
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Sierra-Olympia Technologies
Infrared (IR) Thermal Imaging Camera Modules for Drones, UAV & Robotics
Gold Partner
MKS-Ophir
High Performance Infrared Zoom Lenses for UAVs and Drones: Low-SWaP, Extended-Range, Ruggedized Lenses
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Products
MWIR Cameras, Camera Modules & MWIR Lens Suppliers
MWIR (mid-wave infrared) cameras are specialized thermal imaging systems designed to detect electromagnetic radiation in the 3 to 5-micron wavelength band. Operating within this mid-infrared region allows these sensors to identify heat signatures with exceptional contrast and accuracy, even under challenging environmental conditions.
By detecting thermal emissions rather than relying on ambient light, MWIR cameras enable reliable imaging in total darkness, through light fog, smoke, and other visual obscurants. Their sensitivity to thermal differences makes them ideal for identifying and tracking heat-emitting targets, monitoring engine performance, and conducting covert surveillance. These advantages position MWIR technology as a foundational element of many advanced ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems.
Ventus HD6-0.6 by Sierra-Olympia Technologies
Cooled vs. Uncooled Midwave Infrared Cameras
MWIR camera systems are generally categorized into two primary types based on their sensor architecture: cooled and uncooled.
Cooled MWIR Cameras
Cooled MWIR cameras feature cryogenically cooled detector arrays, often based on materials like Indium Antimonide (InSb) or Mercury Cadmium Telluride (MCT). Cooling the detector significantly reduces thermal noise, which in turn enhances image clarity, increases sensitivity, and enables detection of subtle thermal contrasts at long ranges. These systems are suited to applications that demand the highest levels of thermal fidelity, including long-range surveillance, precision targeting, and high-altitude reconnaissance.
However, cooled systems are typically larger, heavier, and require more power due to the integrated cryocooler, and hence may be unsuitable for SWaP-limited platforms.
Uncooled MWIR Cameras
In contrast, uncooled MWIR cameras utilize newer sensor technologies that operate at or near ambient temperature, eliminating the need for active cooling. While historically considered less sensitive than cooled units, uncooled MWIR solutions have seen substantial advancements in detector materials, pixel pitch, and signal processing. These improvements have narrowed the performance gap, making uncooled MWIR modules viable for a wide array of tactical and mobile applications.
Uncooled MWIR cameras offer several benefits, including reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements. These attributes make them particularly attractive for integration into small UAVs and robotic platforms where compactness and energy efficiency are critical. The elimination of cryogenic components also increases reliability and reduces maintenance, making uncooled MWIR systems more suitable for field-deployable and disposable mission architectures.
Applications of MWIR Cameras for Drones & Robotics
SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 by MKS-Ophir
Midwave infrared cameras are integrated into sensor payloads to enhance situational awareness, threat detection, and operational flexibility in dynamic environments, and are used on unmanned systems operating on land, at sea and in the air.
UAVs
For unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), they play a central role in ISR operations. Mounted on stabilized gimbals or embedded within payload pods, MWIR UAV cameras provide real-time thermal imaging for day/night reconnaissance, target acquisition, and border patrol missions. The midwave spectrum enables superior image clarity during high-speed flight and at altitude, even in thermally complex environments such as urban landscapes or desert terrains.
Tactical drones use MWIR camera modules for perimeter security, convoy escort, and early threat detection. When paired with AI-driven analytics, MWIR feeds can be used to autonomously detect vehicles, personnel, or other heat-emitting targets. These systems often operate in conjunction with visible spectrum or multispectral cameras to deliver a more comprehensive intelligence picture.
UGV and Robotics Applications
Unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) may utilize MWIR imaging for applications such as navigation, route clearance, and situational monitoring. In military EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) and CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) missions, MWIR sensors help identify hazardous materials or heat signatures that may indicate buried threats or active devices.
Autonomous or teleoperated robots use MWIR technology to assess thermal anomalies in infrastructure, power systems, or vehicle engines during maintenance and inspection routines. MWIR modules offer diagnostic imaging without requiring direct physical contact, preserving safety and reducing operational downtime.
Maritime Platforms
On unmanned maritime vehicles such as USVs, MWIR cameras contribute to navigation, object avoidance, and threat detection during low-visibility conditions. In littoral and coastal operations, these sensors assist in monitoring shoreline activity and identifying thermal signatures of vessels or personnel. Combined with radar and sonar systems, MWIR imaging augments overall platform awareness in layered sensor architectures.
Modular Integration and Design Considerations
MWIR camera modules are designed with integration flexibility in mind. Modular form factors, standardized digital interfaces, and onboard processing capabilities enable straightforward incorporation into existing UAV avionics or mission systems. Many modules support real-time video transmission, local storage, and advanced image correction algorithms such as non-uniformity correction (NUC) and dynamic range adjustment.
To ensure operational reliability in harsh field conditions, MWIR units may be built with rugged enclosures, environmental sealing, and shock-resistant design. These features enable sustained performance in scenarios involving high vibration, temperature extremes, or electromagnetic interference.
Performance Optimization and Future Development
As detector materials and microelectronics evolve, MWIR technology continues to expand in capability and application scope. Future midwave infrared cameras are expected to feature even lower SWaP profiles, improved dynamic range, and native multispectral imaging. Onboard AI integration is also becoming more prevalent, allowing for real-time event classification, target prioritization, and autonomous decision support.
