Rugged Short Wave Infrared (SWIR) and EMCCD Cameras for OEM UAV and UGV Applications

Raptor Photonics is a world-class developer of SWIR (short-wave infrared), CMOS and EMCCD camera technologies for low-light (day and night) imaging and surveillance applications. Our rugged, SWaP-optimised solutions have been used around the world by leading aerospace and defense companies and are ideal for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles) and other robotic platforms, including LEO cubesats and submersibles.

Our camera platforms are highly customizable, and we can provide flexible solutions for OEMs and system integrators tailored to your exact requirements. We offer a variety of options for sensors, housing, video output, communications interfaces and more.

Military Grade Airborne Infrared Camera Systems

Built to military-grade MIL-STD-810F and MIL-STD-704F standards, our imaging systems are designed to operate in harsh environments under extremes of shock, vibration, temperature and EMI. We strive to maintain the highest quality standards, and are accredited to BS EN ISO 9001:2015, IPC Class 3, and Class IPCa610.

SWIR and VIS-SWIR InGaAs Cameras

Owl 1280 VIS-SWIR Camera

HD infrared & visible camera for day/night surveillance

The Owl 1280 is a high-resolution digital VIS-SWIR (visible & shortwave infrared) camera based around a 1280 x 1024 InGaAs sensor with 10µm x 10µm pixel pitch for high-resolution, high sensitivity imaging.

With less than 50 electrons readout noise and a high intra-scene dynamic range, the camera provides simultaneous high-performance capture of both bright and dark portions of a scene.

Featuring onboard Automated Gain Control (AGC) and intelligent 3-point Non-Uniform Correction (NUC) for the highest quality results, the ultra-compact, low-power Owl 1280 is ideal for UAV surveillance, inspection and other rugged unmanned systems applications.

Owl 1280 technical specifications:

Learn more: Owl 1280 – HD infrared & visible camera

Owl 640 II VIS-SWIR Camera

Miniature high-speed infrared & visible camera

The Owl 640 II is a next-generation compact and lightweight digital VIS-SWIR camera based around a 640 x 512 InGaAs sensor. With a small footprint and a weight of just 282 grams, it is ideal for UAV and aerial imaging applications.

The high-sensitivity Owl 640 II can run at frame rates of up to 120Hz, providing high-speed digital video with intelligent onboard Automated Gain Control (AGC) for clear footage under all light conditions, including through fog. The camera is available with C-mount or M42-mount interfaces.

Owl 640 II technical specifications:

Learn more: Owl 640 II – miniature high-speed infrared & visible camera

Owl 640 N InGaAs VIS-SWIR Camera

Ultra-low noise camera for low-light surveillance

The Owl 640 N is a 640 x 512 InGaAs VIS-SWIR camera featuring one of the lowest readout noise levels on the market at a typical value of 18 electrons. It is ideal for low-light imaging applications, with a high intra-scene dynamic range enabling simultaneous capture of bright and dark portions of a scene.

With onboard Automated Gain Control (AGC) for superior contrast imaging from low to bright light, and intelligent 3-point Non-Uniform Correction (NUC) for the highest quality results, the compact Owl 640 N provides high-speed imaging at frame rates of up to 120 Hz.

Owl 640 N technical specifications:

Learn more: Owl 640 N – ultra-low noise camera

Owl 640 M VGA Camera

Compact, low-power camera for vision enhancement and machine vision

The Owl 640 M features the lowest power consumption of the entire Owl 640 series, with a compact TEC (thermoelectric cooling)-less design that is ideal for OEMs of robotics and machine vision systems.

The camera’s imaging capabilities include 15μm x 15μm pixel pitch for high-resolution VGA VIS-SWIR imagery, and ultra-high intrascene dynamic range for simultaneous capture of bright and dark portions of a scene.

Owl 640 M technical specifications:

Learn more: Owl 640 M – low-power VGA camera

Owl 640 S SWIR Camera

ITAR-free, rugged, high-speed shortwave infrared camera

The Owl 640 S is a high-speed variant of the Owl 640 family, delivering frame rates of up to 300 Hz at full resolution.

The high-sensitivity SWIR camera is based around a 640 x 512 InGaAs sensor with an ultra-low readout noise of 30 electrons.

The Owl 640 S features high intrascene dynamic range for simultaneous capture of bright and dark portions of a scene, as well as intelligent Automated Gain Control (AGC) for clear video footage under all light conditions. The rugged imaging platform is also ITAR-free.

Owl 640 S technical specifications:

Learn more: Owl 640 S – high-speed shortwave infrared camera

Owl 640 T ½” VGA VIS-SWIR Camera

Ultra-compact IR & visible camera for surveillance and vision enhancement

The Owl 640 T is the world’s first SWaP-optimised ½” VGA VIS-SWIR imaging system, ideal for OEM mini-UAVs and electro-optical systems. The ½” sensor format allows system integrators to use smaller, lighter lenses, minimizing OEM design footprint and payload weights. The ultra-compact, rugged unit uses thermometric cooling for fanless sensor stabilisation.

With a 10µm x 10µm pixel pitch, the low-noise camera is compatible with VIS-SWIR illuminators, markers and pointers, and features high intra-scene dynamic range for simultaneous capture of both bright and dark portions of a scene. Onboard Automated Gain Control (AGC) and intelligent 3-point Non Uniform Correction (NUC) provide the highest quality imaging results.

Owl 640 T technical specifications:

Learn more: Owl 640 T – ultra-compact IR & visible camera

Owl 320 HS VIS-SWIR Camera

Compact high-speed camera with 349 Hz full frame rate

The Owl 320 HS provides the fastest frame rates in the Owl VIS-SWIR camera portfolio, delivering high-speed full frame resolution imaging at up to 349 Hz.

Featuring programmable Region of Interest (ROI), the camera offers a resolution of 320 x 256 with a pixel pitch of 30µm x 30µm.

With a rugged fanless construction and low power consumption of less than 5W, the compact platform is ideal for UAV electro-optical systems and inspection applications.

Owl 320 HS technical specifications:

Learn more: Owl 320 HS – compact high-speed camera

UV, VIS, NIR EMCCD Cameras

Hawk 252 EMCCD Camera

Cooled digital HD low-light surveillance camera

The Hawk 252 is a back-illuminated EMCCD camera featuring ultra-high sensitivity imaging performance and quantum efficiency (QE) of over 95% at 600nm. It provides GEN III image intensifier performance, as well as enhanced blue response from 180nm for low-light UV with visible detection.

The high-resolution 1280 x 1080 camera is ideal for both UAV and ground-based imaging, surveillance and monitoring applications.

Hawk 252 technical specifications:

Learn more: Hawk 252 – cooled digital HD low-light camera

Hawk 216-A EMCCD Camera

High-sensitivity analogue monochrome camera with enhanced UV response

The Hawk 216-A is an analogue camera with enhanced UV response from 180nm that delivers superior night-vision performance comparable to Gen III image intensifiers.

The 2/3″ full frame transfer camera offers a resolution of 625 TV lines, a frame rate up to 30Hz and a dynamic range of 55dB.

The high-sensitivity imaging solution uses smaller pixels for ultra-sharp image resolution and is ideal for both UAV and ground-based imaging, surveillance and monitoring applications.

Hawk 216-A technical specifications:

Learn more: Hawk 216-A – high-sensitivity analogue monochrome camera