Ruggedised Optics for Defence and Civil Applications
MKS Instruments has launched a new family of ruggedised, long-range zoom lenses for cooled MWIR cameras.
The Ophir range will be available as SupIR 30-385mm, 50-700mm and 80-1,200mm MWIR f/5.5 lenses, designed for 15µm pitch VGA FPA (focal plane array) cooled MWIR detectors, enabling longer detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) ranges, of over 26 kilometres. The combination of performance, reliability, and design-to-cost make these lenses ideal for the demanding requirements of extended observation and surveillance systems, delivering disruptive cost performance in both defence and commercial markets.
Rugged, for operation in harsh environmental conditions, the lenses provide an operating temperature range from -32-+70˚C; Ophir’s abrasion-resistant, anti-reflective (AR) coatings; IP 67 sealing; and a mechanical design that withstands severe shock and vibration. Designed for ease of mechanical integration, they include Ophir’s standard software for optimal integration, calibration, and field operation.
“The MWIR f/5.5 VGA 15µm lens family addresses increasing demands for extended range, high performance, reliability, and cost considerations in the defence and commercial markets,” said Dr Kobi Lasri, General Manager, Ophir Optics Group. “These new lenses deliver an unparalleled combination of functions and features. And we’ve taken the next step beyond with the SupIR 80-1200mm lens, which provides an impressive +26km detection range, making it ideal for advanced long-range thermal imaging applications, such as counter UAV systems and other extended observation security and surveillance systems“.
The Ophir SupIR 30-385mm f/5.5 lens has a horizontal field of view (H-FOV) of 0.7-18.6°, with detection range exceeding 17km; the SupIR 50-700mm an H-FOV of 0.4-11.4° with detection range exceeding 22km; and the SupIR 80-1,200mm 0.5-7.1°, with a detection range exceeding 26 kilometres.
For a brief video, click here.
André Forkert reporting for MON
