UAV Infrared Imaging

We deliver advanced IR lens assemblies—including fixed, motorized focus, and zoom lenses—supporting infrared imaging across large, medium, small, and micro UAVs, drones, and loitering munitions. Our product range includes specialized lens families such as LightIR and FoldIR folded-optics assemblies, engineered to meet the demanding requirements of airborne applications, offering compact, lightweight, and high-performance designs.

Our global solutions serve defense, security, and emerging aerial applications. In close collaboration with OEM defense partners and detector manufacturers, we develop optics that meet the strict SWaP constraints of UAV payloads, while maintaining the exceptional optical performance Ophir is known for worldwide.

Whatever your needs, we’ve got the lens

UAV Lens Characteristics

Small Form Factor lenses to fit miniature gimbals
Ultra-light weight Zoom & Fixed focus lenses
High optical performance
Low power consumption
Designed for UAV payloads, drones and hand-held device applications
High durability or low reflection hard carbon AR coatings
Fast FOV change
Continuous zoom, with fixed F# maintained through the full zoom range
Accurate thru-zoom bore sight
Folded optics technology when required
Compatible with major MWIR & LWIR detectors
Diffraction-limited optical design
Athermal compensation
Maintains focus through the zoom
Pre-set, discrete optical zoom position
CPU controlled via RS 485 or RS 232

Resources

Webinar: FoldIR Next Generation Infrared Optics for Aerial Superiority (31:18)

MWIR Imaging Lenses for UAV Applications

Description	Features
LightIR 10-135 mm f/3.6 Motorized MWIR Zoom Imaging Lens	Weight 250gr Dimensions Ø46 x 86.4mm Detection range 11.4km Designed for MWIR 10μm pitch VGA detectors	LightIR 10-135 mm f/3.6 Motorized MWIR Zoom Imaging Lens
FoldIR 16-180mm f/3.6 10µm VGA MWIR Zoom Lens	Weight 465gr Dimensions 121 x 70 x 102 mm Detection range 13.7km Designed for MWIR 10µm VGA detectors	FoldIR 16-180mm f/3.6 10µm VGA MWIR Zoom Lens
LightIR 18-225 mm f/3.6 Motorized MWIR Zoom Imaging Lens	Weight 305g Dimensions Ø63 x 84.6mm Detection range 15.5km Designed for MWIR 10µm VGA detectors	LightIR 18-225 mm f/3.6 Motorized MWIR Zoom Imaging Lens
LightIR 18-225 mm f/4.0 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens	Efficient compact optics design for max. volume use Designed for MWIR 10 µm SXGA and 15 µm VGA Detectors Ideal for mini/micro tactical payloads Detection range exceeds 16 km	LightIR 18-225 mm f/4.0 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens
LightIR 20–275mm f/5.5 MWIR Motorized Continuous Zoom Lenses	Smallest, most lightweight continuous zoom lens on the market Long-range capabilities of up to 14.9 km detection range Unique optomechanical design and focus movement High-durability and low reflection hard-carbon 3-5 µm wavelength AR coatings	LightIR 20–275mm f/5.5 MWIR Motorized Continuous Zoom Lenses
FOLDIR 25-275 mm f/5.5 Low-SWaP Cont. Zoom Lens	Weighs 302gr Efficient folded optics design for minimum volume use with total volume size of 107mm x 101.5mm x 96mm including detector Designed for MWIR 15μm VGA detectors Detection range exceeds 14.5km*	FOLDIR 25-275 mm f/5.5 Low-SWaP Cont. Zoom Lens
FoldIR 30-450mm f/3.4 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens	Efficient folded optics design for min. volume use Physical shutter for mechanical NUC performance Designed for MWIR 10μm SXGA sensors Ideal for air-sea-land gimbals and payloads	FoldIR 30-450mm f/3.4 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens
FoldIR 40-450 mm f/3.6 Motorized MWIR Zoom VGA Imaging Lens	Efficient folded optics design for minimum volume use Physical shutter for mechanical NUC performance Designed for MWIR 10μm VGA sensors Ideal for 11" aerial gimbals	FoldIR 40-450 mm f/3.6 Motorized MWIR Zoom VGA Imaging Lens
FoldIR 28-850 mm f/5.5 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens	3 to 5 μm MWIR spectral range Compatible with High Definition 1280 x1024 detector format with 15 μm pixel pitch Folded design Tight boresight retention	FoldIR 28-850 mm f/5.5 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens
SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 Motorized Cont. Zoom MWIR 5μm SXGA Imaging Lenses	Optimized for 1280x1024 resolution, 5μm pixel pitch MWIR cooled detectors Detection range exceeding 17km, NATO vehicle detection Continuous zoom lens with 14x zoom ratio High Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) maximizing image clarity for long-range target detection and thermal contrast enhancement	SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 Motorized Cont. Zoom MWIR 5μm SXGA Imaging Lenses
FoldIR 50-1350 mm f/5.5 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens	Longest focal length and zoom ratio Designed for UAV payloads Detection range >25km Unique folded optic design	FoldIR 50-1350 mm f/5.5 Motorized MWIR Zoom SXGA Imaging Lens

LWIR Imaging Lenses for UAV Applications

Description	Features
SupIR 15-60 mm f/1.4 LWIR Motorized Zoom Imaging Lens	Advanced technologies for the highest performance long wave focal planes LWIR High-durability and hard-carbon AR coatings for 8-12 µm Passive athermalization with the highest imaging performance from -32 to +80°C Compatible with 12 & 17 μm pixel pitch, 640x480 VGA format LWIR cameras	SupIR 15-60 mm f/1.4 LWIR Motorized Zoom Imaging Lens
LightIR 15-75 mm f/1.2 LWIR Motorized Zoom Imaging Lens	Most lightweight, compact, continuous zoom lenses on the market at 325 g Ideal for low-SWaP applications Optimized for 10-12 micron pixel size uncooled LWIR cameras Maintains sharp focus over the entire motorized 15-60 mm zoom range	LightIR 15-75 mm f/1.2 LWIR Motorized Zoom Imaging Lens
SupIR 7.5 mm f/1.4 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR Imaging Lens	Advanced technologies for the highest performance long wave focal planes LWIR Hard-carbon AR coating for 8-12 µm Passive athermalization with the highest imaging performance from -40 to +80°C Compatible with 12 & 17 μm pixel pitch, 640x480 VGA format LWIR cameras	SupIR 7.5 mm f/1.4 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR Imaging Lens
SupIR 13.6 mm f/1.0 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR VGA Imaging Lens	Advanced technologies for the highest performance long wave focal planes LWIR High-durability and hard-carbon AR coatings for 8-12 µm Passive athermalization with the highest imaging performance from -40 to +85°C Compatible with 12 μm pixel pitch, 640x480 VGA format LWIR cameras	SupIR 13.6 mm f/1.0 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR VGA Imaging Lens
SupIR 19 mm f/1.1 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR XGA Imaging Lens	Advanced technologies for the highest performance long wave focal planes LWIR hard-carbon AR coating for 8-12 µm Passive athermalization with the highest imaging performance from -40 to +80°C Compatible with 12 μm pixel pitch, 1024x768 XGA format LWIR cameras	SupIR 19 mm f/1.1 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR XGA Imaging Lens
SupIR 25 mm f/1.2 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR XGA Imaging Lens	Advanced technologies for the highest performance long wave focal planes LWIR High-durability and hard-carbon AR coatings for 8-12 µm Passive athermalization with the highest imaging performance from -40 to +80°C Compatible with 12 μm pixel pitch, 1024x768 XGA format LWIR cameras	SupIR 25 mm f/1.2 Fixed 1-FOV LWIR XGA Imaging Lens

SWIR Imaging Lenses for UAV Applications

	Description	Features
	SWIR & NIR 25-250mm f/5.5 (NFOV) f/4.0 (WFOV) Motorized Continuous Zoom Imaging Lenses	Continuous zoom in the 0.7-1.7 um SWIR regime Designed for 5μm, 10μm SXGA & 15μm VGA SWIR detectors Lightweight (<860 gr) High spatial resolution and low distortion with detection range exceeding 26 km		SWIR & NIR 25-250mm f/5.5 (NFOV) f/4.0 (WFOV) Motorized Continuous Zoom Imaging Lenses