MKS has announced the Ophir® LightIR 16-180mm Medium Wave Infrared (MWIR) f/3.6 continuous zoom lens, the newest addition to the LightIR family of lightweight, long-range, motorised continuous zoom lenses. This is a compact thermal imaging lens optimised for smaller size 10µm pitch VGA Focal Plane Array (FPA) detectors. It features a folded optics design that significantly reduces the length of the lens and therefore the overall size and weight of the optical system in which it is incorporated. The lens is 65 per cent smaller than existing MWIR 10µm VGA lenses. This makes it ideal for the demanding requirements of reduced size, weight, and power (SWaP) and small gimbal thermal imaging applications. These include drones and tactical UAV IR cameras as well as micro-/mini-tactical payloads in the commercial, homeland security, and defence markets.
The folded optics design enables long optical lengths, which produce a reduced sensitivity to tolerances in compact configurations that incorporate fewer optical elements. The innovative design also enables near diffraction-limit performance in harsh environments and addresses such challenges as line-of-sight (LOS) stabilisation and athermalisation. At only 460gr, it is one of the lightest continuous zoom lenses on the market and maintains sharp focus over the entire zoom range. The mechanical and electrical interface assures easy integration into camera systems.
![The Ophir® LightIR 15-75 mm f/1.2 LWIR motorized continuous zoom lens is a re-engineered low-germanium optical solution designed to reduce supply-chain risk while delivering high-performance thermal imaging for defense, security, and industrial applications. [Photo: MKS]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MKS-Ophir_Reduced-Ge_LightIR-15-75mm-f1-218x150.jpg "MKS Introduces Ophir® LightIR 15-75 mm f/1.2")
![The Ophir KAMU long‑range MWIR f/4 SXGA thermal imaging camera series is a fully integrated system that pairs MKS’ continuous zoom optics with advanced video processing, consistent thermal performance, and MIL‑STD‑810‑class ruggedization for use in surveillance and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS). [Photo: MKS]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MWIR-KAMU-45-900.346-218x150.jpg "MKS Introduces Ophir® KAMU™ Long‑Range MWIR SXGA Thermal Camera Series Optimized for Surveillance and Security Missions")
![Engineered for the most demanding tactical and surveillance applications, the Ophir SWIR 50-1000 mm f/5.5-9.5 continuous zoom lens is a long‑range imaging solution that delivers sharp, high‑contrast imagery in low-visibility conditions for long‑range ISR missions and laser detection tasks across air, land, and maritime platforms. [Photo: MKS Inc.]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Ophir-680555-50-1000-SWIR-lens-med-Kopie-218x150.jpg "MKS Introduces Ophir® SWIR 50-1000 mm f/5.5-9.5 Continuous Zoom Lens")
![The Newport 819-IG-06-WL Optical Power and Wavelength Sensor provides fast, accurate, real-time, and fully calibrated measurements of laser sources from 950 to 1650 nm in R&D labs and high-volume production environments. [Photo: MKS Inc. / Ophir Optronics Solutions Ltd.]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/newport030926-01th-300x214-1-218x150.jpg "MKS Expands Family of Optical Power and Wavelength Sensors")
![Image 1: Ophir SupIR 10-135mm f/1.8 designed for 5 µm SXGA MWIR detectors. [Credit: MKS Ophir]](https://euro-sd.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/680540-Kopie-218x150.jpg "Shrinking Pixels, Maintaining Performance, in Infrared Imaging Systems")
