Thermal Imaging Optics: Powering Defense EO Systems Excellence

Ophir Optronics, an MKS brand, is a leading designer and manufacturer of high-performance IR thermal imaging lenses and optical elements for SWIR, MWIR, LWIR defense thermal imaging applications including long-range, low-SWaP products.

With nearly five decades of combat-proven experience, MKS-Ophir is a major supplier of optical subassembly zoom lenses and components for international defense OEMs, and a proud partner and optics supplier to the most pioneering defense and security applications globally. With a production site in NATO member country, Romania, and HQ in Israel, we have earned a reputation as the preferred one-stop-shop solution provider, delivering unparalleled capabilities, reliability, and tailor-made solutions to major defense platforms worldwide.

Thermal imaging solutions for any defense application

Our products span the entire infrared spectrum, including LWIR, MWIR, SWIR and NIR, and offer a comprehensive range of options including fixed, manual, and motorized focus, and continuous zoom including long-range and low-SWaP products. We provide solutions that solve challenges across all domains, with use cases including:

• Ground-based: Counter UAS (C-UASs), Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS), Driver Vision Enhancement (DVE), Situation Awareness Systems (SAS), Remote Controlled Weapon Stations (RCWS), Tank Gunner/ Commander Sight, Thermal Goggles, Thermal Weapon Sight (TWS), Hand-held Thermal Imagers (HHTI)
• Airborne: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Payloads and Forward-Looking IR Cameras (FLIR)
• Naval: Surveillance, Targeting
• Missiles: Optical build-to-print components for IR guided missiles, including domes, mirrors and Cassegrain telescopes.

More information: IR Imaging Lenses

Long-range MWIR, LWIR & SWIR zoom lenses

With detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) ranges of up to 28 km, our long-range zoom lenses are ideal for ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) applications on land, at sea and in the air, as well as security and counter-drone systems.

The rugged lenses have been engineered for superior performance even under the harshest battlefield conditions, and feature accurate line-of-sight (LOS) performance and MTF close to the diffraction limit.

Low-SWaP Fixed & Manual Focus and Continuous Zoom Lenses

We offer a wide range of compact, lightweight and low-power fixed-focus, manual focus, and zoom lenses for high-resolution thermal imaging and sensing applications.

These low-SWaP lenses are ideal for incorporation into military platform and system designs with size and weight limitations such as small aircraft and unmanned systems, as well as dismounted soldier applications such as hand-held thermal imagers and thermal weapon sights.

AquaShieldIR Hydrophobic Coatings

Advanced IR lens coatings for naval & maritime ISR

We have developed an advanced hydrophobic coating for IR lenses that provides unparalleled water repelling and ensures the utmost in clarity for naval and maritime surveillance and security applications. AquaShieldIR is designed to withstand extremes of weather, salt spray and humidity, overcoming the obstacles faced at sea by traditional coatings.

Rigorously tested for durability and longevity, the AquaShieldIR coating surpasses the requirements of the MIL-STD-810 standard, and allows naval and maritime personnel to accurately detect and identify targets and objects of interest even in the harshest coastal and marine environments.

More information: AquaShieldIR Hydrophobic Lens Coatings

Build-To-Spec (BTS) & Build-to-Print (BTP) solutions

With world-leading expertise in optical design and engineering, we can provide defense OEM clients with bespoke precision-manufactured infrared components, including aspheric, diffractive, and spherical lenses, mirrors, domes, windows, and prisms.

Our cutting-edge in-house manufacturing capabilities include MRF technology, diamond-turning machines, CNC generators and polishers, automated coating chambers, and advanced metrology and test equipment. We work to the highest standards of development and production, and maintain complete control over the entire production process to ensure the highest quality results.

We are AS9100 Rev. D and ISO 9001-2015 certified, and comply with a number of US and European military standards, including:

DIN 3140; IPC 620; MIL-PRF 13830; MIL-PRF 85285; MIL STD 810; MIL-C-48497; MIL-C-48616; ISO 10110 sections 1-19, ANSI\ASQ Z1.4

Application Spotlight: Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance

Infrared imaging technology is critical for a wide range of military and government ISR (intelligence, surveillance & reconnaissance) use cases, and the creation of high-performance IR zoom lenses for target DRI (detection, recognition, and identification) comes with numerous challenges. MKS Ophir’s innovative SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR solutions have been expertly designed to solve these issues.

Technological Improvements – New sensors are constantly being developed with smaller pixels and increased resolution. IR imaging developers must strive to avoid “optics-limitation” – a condition where system performance is primarily constrained by the optics, rather than by the sensor.

Ophir’s comprehensive suite of capabilities allows us to address even the most demanding resolution and optical performance requirements for ISR. We can use virtually any desired surface shape or type to ensure that our products achieve high MTF targets, minimize chromatic aberrations, and maintain superior performance throughout the entire zoom range. Our high-precision fabrication techniques also ensure that we maintain excellent levels of quality and reproducibility in production.

SWaP-C Optimization – Size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) optimization has become particularly important as smaller surveillance platforms such as drones have proliferated among military forces. By utilizing a variety of advanced IR materials, we can minimize total part counts and use a single zoom lens instead of multiple, single-focal length lenses to reduce overall system footprint while still maintaining high performance.

Environmental Durability – By using advanced materials and hard carbon (HC/DLC) and high-durability (HD) coatings, we can create lenses that can withstand the harsh environmental conditions experienced on the battlefield. Our products meet or exceed IP67 specifications and are ruggedized against a wide range of factors, including extreme temperatures, rain, fog, dust, saltwater spray, shock and vibration.

Multispectral Operation – Imaging systems for ISR often require operation over multiple spectral bands simultaneously, as no one band provides optimal results under every single set of conditions. SWIR is the best range for very long-range daytime observation, while MWIR is suitable for very long-range observation both during the day and at night. Both MWIR and SWIR perform well under harsh environmental conditions such as smoke, dust, heavy haze and high humidity. In addition, LWIR is the preferred spectral range for observing burning targets and against sun glints. Ophir provides solutions to address any combination of these requirements.