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Compact High Resolution MWIR Zoom Lens Released for UAV & ISR Platforms

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UAV Hardware Solutions: Propulsion & Fuel Systems, Servos & Flight Controllers, Imaging Solutions, Launchers & Parachutes

Compact High Resolution MWIR Zoom Lens Released for UAV & ISR Platforms

MKS Instruments introduces the Ophir SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 zoom lens, engineered for compact MWIR systems demanding long-range detection and high-resolution thermal imaging

MKS Instruments, Inc. has introduced the Ophir® SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 Motorized Continuous Zoom Lens, specifically engineered for integration with the latest generation of 1280×1024 SXGA cooled MWIR sensors featuring a 5µm pixel pitch.

The new lens was unveiled at SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing 2025 and is optimized for low-SWaP (Size, Weight, and Power) applications requiring long-range detection and high-resolution imaging.

Designed to support advanced security, defense, and industrial imaging systems, the SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 delivers precise performance in platforms such as UAVs, UGVs, remote weapon stations, and ISR payloads. The lens offers a 14x motorized zoom range and maintains a high Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) throughout its entire focal length, ensuring sharp, high-contrast images in mission-critical environments.

Capable of detecting NATO-standard targets at distances beyond 17 kilometers, the lens combines athermalized optics for operational stability across wide temperature ranges with durable environmental coatings for reliable performance in harsh field conditions. The field of view spans from 37.7° (wide) to 2.67° (narrow), supporting versatile situational awareness and target acquisition needs.

Kobi Lasri, General Manager of the Ophir Optics product line at MKS Instruments, said, “As cooled infrared technology advances, systems require optimized optics that can fully enable higher-resolution sensors while maintaining a compact footprint. The Ophir SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 lens represents a breakthrough in high-resolution MWIR zoom optics, bridging the gap between performance and portability. With unmatched clarity and extended range, this new lens pushes the boundaries and sets new standards in thermal imaging.”

Despite its advanced optical capabilities, the lens maintains a compact and lightweight profile with a 90mm front element, overall length of 129mm, and weight of just 780 grams—making it ideal for integration into space-constrained electro-optical systems where performance cannot be compromised.

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