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Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) Solutions

Next-generation cooled and uncooled mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras engineered for unmatched clarity, reliability, and performance in mission-critical and industrial environments.
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What is G5 Infrared?

G5 is LightPath’s advanced infrared platform, developed to deliver consistent, high-quality imaging across the most demanding applications. Acquired by LightPath in 2025, G5 brings decades of engineering expertise, vertical integration, and proprietary thin-film coatings into our portfolio.
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Custom Configurations Built for Your Purpose

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We tailor assemblies to your exact specifications, offering complete optical and mechanical design services that support complex infrared optical systems. Our modern facility has the equipment and personnel necessary to design, manufacture and qualify our mid-wave infrared products to the highest performance standards.


We also offer comprehensive build-to-print services for lens elements, windows, and filters, as well as coating services on customer-feasible substrates in prototype quantities and high-volume production.

LightPath G5 IR Camera Solutions

MWIR Short Range

Our short-range MWIR cameras are optimized for more localized surveillance or security tasks where the target ranges are moderate (e.g., up to ~10 km under good conditions). They use cooled MWIR detectors (3-5 µm spectral band) and typically continuous zoom optics to give clear thermal imagery day or night in all-weather, marine or high humidity environments.

These short-range thermal cameras are well-suited for vessel traffic monitoring, port/airport security, critical infrastructure protection, border or perimeter surveillance, where long-range is not the dominant requirement but reliability, clarity and environmental ruggedness matter.
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Products

  • Short Range 8× Zoom Thermal Camera: 640 × 512 detector, 3–5 µm, from 14.7° to 1.8° HFOV, man-sized target detection in excess of ~10 km in good conditions.
  • Short Range 18× Zoom Thermal Camera: 640 × 512 detector, 3–5 µm, 32° to 1.8° HFOV, detection of man-sized targets at ranges in excess of ~10 km in good conditions.

Key differentiators

  • Cooled MWIR (3–5 µm) detector → better performance in marine/high humidity environment.
  • Enclosure sealed and nitrogen back-filled, rated IP67, operating temperature –32 °C to +65 °C, meets MIL-STD-810F
  • Continuous zoom lens, f/4 high sensitivity, auto and manual focus adjust
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MWIR Mid-Range

LightPath mid-range thermal cameras step up the detection/recognition range to address applications where you need to see farther than short-range, but you may not need the absolute extreme long‐range. These systems still use cooled MWIR detectors (3–5 µm) and continuous zoom optics, designed for clear thermal imaging in all-weather conditions, but with fields of view and zoom ranges tailored for longer reach (e.g., detection of man-sized targets at ~18 km in good conditions).

Applications include longer perimeter security, border zones, extended shore/sea monitoring, and critical infrastructure where standoff distances are larger.
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Products

  • MWIR Mid-Range 18× Zoom Thermal Camera: 640 × 512 detector, 3–5 µm, FOV from ~18° down to ~1.0°, man target detection at ~18 km in good conditions.
  • MWIR Mid-Range HD 10× Zoom Thermal Camera: 1280 × 1024 detector, 3–5 µm, FOV from ~13° to ~1.3°, man-sized target detection ~18 km in good conditions.

Key differentiators

  • Higher resolution variants (e.g., 1280×1024 focal-plane array) for better image clarity and recognition at range.
  • Zoom ranges tailored for mid-range performance (e.g., narrower NFOV for better reach).
  • Same rugged sealed enclosure, marine/high humidity suitability.
  • Good “bridge” between short-range and full long-range systems.
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MWIR Long Range

Our long-range MWIR cameras address the most demanding surveillance and security use-cases: large standoff distances, vessel/sea monitoring, border crossing detection at a distance, and critical infrastructure far from the vantage point. These systems preserve the cooled MWIR detector advantages (3-5 µm) and continuous zoom optics optimized for maximum detection/recognition range (e.g., in excess of 25 km for man‐sized targets in good conditions).

They are ideal for maritime domain awareness, coastal surveillance, port/harbor oversight, large-area border/shoreline monitoring, and where high-performance thermal imaging is essential.
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Products

  • MWIR Long Range SD 18× Zoom: 640×512 detector, 3–5 µm, FOV from ~12.5° to 0.7°, man detection >25 km in good conditions.
  • MWIR Long Range HD 15× Zoom: 1280×1024 detector, 3–5 µm, FOV from ~14° to 0.9°, man detection >25 km in good conditions (boat target criteria also specified).
  • (Other “+” variants may exist with even greater detection range, e.g., >35 km for man target, higher zoom/lens specs)

Key differentiators

  • Long focal length / narrow field of view for maximized standoff detection/recognition.
  • High resolution detectors (1280×1024) for HD performance at long range.
  • Features like turbulence mitigation, image stabilization, optional IP video, and digital zoom for enhanced performance at long range.
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MWIR Camera Comparison

Feature / Capability MWIR Short Range MWIR Mid Range MWIR Long Range
Typical Detection Distance Under 1 kilometer One to five kilometers Five kilometers and beyond
Best For Compact platforms, UAVs, industrial inspection, perimeter security Multi-mission surveillance, mobile systems, tactical vehicles, tower-mounted sensors Long-range surveillance, targeting, border security, maritime, elevated fixed installations
Lens and Optics Wide to medium fields of view for situational awareness Balanced field of view options for both detection and identification Narrow field of view, high magnification, optimized for extreme distance clarity
Sensor and Cooling Cooled MWIR or uncooled, depending on the build Cooled MWIR for improved range and detail Cooled MWIR with high high-performance thermal core for the longest reach and most demanding missions
Size and Weight Smallest footprint for lighter platforms Moderate size suitable for vehicle and fixed systems Largest configuration supporting advanced optics and zoom assemblies
Image Performance Prioritizes responsiveness and wide area coverage Improved detail, contrast, and target recognition Maximum clarity, long-distance identification, industry-leading system-level alignment
Primary Advantages Lower power, compact, fast integration Versatile performance across many environment Elite long-range performance with exceptional stability, accuracy, and optical quality
Common Applications Robotics, inspection, counter UAS, short-range security Border patrol vehicles, mid-range surveillance, industrial monitoring Coastal defense, critical infrastructure security, persistent long-range ISR, targeting support

Typical Detection Distance

MWIR Short Range:
Under 1 kilometer
MWIR Mid Range:
One to five kilometers
MWIR Long Range:
Five kilometers and beyond

Best For

MWIR Short Range:
Compact platforms, UAVs, industrial inspection, perimeter security
MWIR Mid Range:
Multi-mission surveillance, mobile systems, tactical vehicles, tower-mounted sensors
MWIR Long Range:
Long-range surveillance, targeting, border security, maritime, elevated fixed installations

Lens and Optics

MWIR Short Range:
Wide to medium fields of view for situational awareness
MWIR Mid Range:
Balanced field of view options for both detection and identification
MWIR Long Range:
Narrow field of view, high magnification, optimized for extreme distance clarity

Sensor and Cooling

MWIR Short Range:
Cooled MWIR or uncooled, depending on the build
MWIR Mid Range:
Cooled MWIR for improved range and detail
MWIR Long Range:
Cooled MWIR with high high-performance thermal core for the longest reach and most demanding missions

Size and Weight

MWIR Short Range:
Smallest footprint for lighter platforms
MWIR Mid Range:
Moderate size suitable for vehicle and fixed systems
MWIR Long Range:
Largest configuration supporting advanced optics and zoom assemblies

Image Performance

MWIR Short Range:
Prioritizes responsiveness and wide area coverage
MWIR Mid Range:
Improved detail, contrast, and target recognition
MWIR Long Range:
Maximum clarity, long-distance identification, industry-leading system-level alignment

Primary Advantages

MWIR Short Range:
Lower power, compact, fast integration
MWIR Mid Range:
Versatile performance across many environment
MWIR Long Range:
Elite long-range performance with exceptional stability, accuracy, and optical quality

Common Applications

MWIR Short Range:
Robotics, inspection, counter UAS, short-range security
MWIR Mid Range:
Border patrol vehicles, mid-range surveillance, industrial monitoring
MWIR Long Range:
Coastal defense, critical infrastructure security, persistent long-range ISR, targeting support

Performance Highlights

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Zoom Capabilities:

Depending on camera configurations, up to 18× optical and 8× digital zoom for long-range surveillance
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Detection Ranges

Human-sized objects detected from 10 km to 38 km
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Reliability

>20,000-hour mean time to failure (MTTF) with industry-standard warranties
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Cold-Shield Design

Eliminates corner shading, thermal drift, and zoom non-uniformities
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Coating Expertise

Broadband anti-reflection, diamond-like carbon (DLC), and protective layers for durability in extreme environments

Applications for Our MWIR Solutions

Our MWIR Solutions img Talk with an Expert

Why Choose LightPath G5?

When you choose LightPath, you get more than hardware. You gain a partner with unmatched expertise in infrared imaging and system integration.

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Proven Quality
With more than four decades of infrared and optical innovation, LightPath has established a reputation for building solutions that perform when it matters most. Every MWIR G5 camera is designed and manufactured in-house, giving us complete control over quality and ensuring consistency from prototype to production.
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Solution Depth
G5 extends LightPath’s vertically integrated portfolio, bringing optics, coatings, assemblies, cooled and uncooled cameras together under one roof. Combined with our proprietary Black Diamond™ glass technology, customers gain access to a secure supply chain and sustainable sourcing options that reduce program risk.
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Specialized Expertise
Our engineering teams are dedicated to solving the challenges of aerospace, defense, and industrial markets. By blending LightPath’s long-standing market leadership with G5’s deep technical bench, we deliver systems that are purpose-built for the most demanding environments.
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Certifications and Compliance
G5 solutions are ITAR-compliant, DDTC-registered, and built in facilities certified to AS9100D and ISO 9001:2015 standards. Customers can trust that every system meets the stringent requirements of defense and industrial procurement.
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Supply Chain Reliability
With manufacturing located in North America and Europe, LightPath ensures customers are insulated from sourcing challenges and geopolitical uncertainty. Our integrated supply chain keeps projects moving forward with confidence.

Innovation in Action

LightPath’s G5 platform is already proving its value in the field. From defense programs to industrial safety applications, G5 innovations are setting new standards for performance, reliability, and system efficiency. These real-world deployments highlight how G5 MWIR technology moves beyond specifications to deliver measurable advantages where they matter most.

U.S. Navy SPEIR Program

G5 technology has been selected for the Navy’s Shipboard Panoramic Electro-Optic/Infrared (SPEIR) program, a major validation of its performance and reliability in mission-critical defense applications.

Defense Contracts

In 2025, LightPath secured a $4.9 million order for mid-wave infrared cameras with an existing defense customer. This win underscores how G5 strengthens our ability to deliver at scale for national security programs.

Industrial-Grade OGI Camera

The debut of LightPath’s first cooled optical gas imaging camera set a new benchmark for industrial safety and compliance. Built on G5 foundations, it provides unmatched clarity and reliability for leak detection in challenging environments.

Breakthrough Coating Technology

G5 introduced DIALON™, a self-cleaning, hydrophobic exterior coating for infrared windows. By removing the need for mechanical wipers, this innovation reduces maintenance costs and improves system uptime for customers in aerospace and industrial markets.

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See further. Perform better. Trust G5.