Defense & Aerospace

Optical components and assemblies enable effective system communication, data collection, equipment positioning, and imaging for the defense and aerospace industries. Since 2015, Optical Sourcing Experts (OSE) has supported clients in these markets with precision optical systems, mirror assemblies, and more.

OSE Optics is an uniquely independent optical assembly facility and builds optical solutions per our clients’ exact specifications. Learn more about defense and aerospace optics, our capabilities, and the applications that rely on optical devices for high-performance operations.

Overview of Optics in the Defense & Aerospace Industries

Optics solutions are more prevalent than ever in the defense and aerospace markets, thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and autonomous technologies. Optics-based devices gather visual data from the surrounding environment, aid in communications between systems, produce images from low-light and thermal conditions, and much more.

In addition to their abilities, optics are ideal for the defense and aerospace sectors for their light weight and dependability. Even under varying temperatures, pressures, harsh conditions, and electromagnetic interference (EMI), optical assemblies for the defense and aerospace sectors maintain reliable performance in mission-critical applications.

Government labs as well as optics companies like OSE are always working to advance optics solutions in the defense and aerospace fields, innovating imaging, identification, and low-light vision capabilities while looking for ways to minimize power consumption and costs.

Defense & Aerospace Optics Capabilities

Optics are ideal for various defense and aerospace products, assemblies, and processes, At OSE, our MIL-SPEC-compliant optics solutions are applicable in the following:

Defense & Aerospace
Optics Applications

Optics components and assemblies have applications on land in equipment like autonomous vehicles, in the air as part of drones, and on the water in marine vessel imaging systems. Optics are vital to modern intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, and aerospace fiber optics parts and connectors are becoming the preferred choice for aircraft cockpits over traditional copper wires.

So that you can better understand the usefulness of optical assemblies, we’ll go into more detail on some of the applications from the previous section:

• IR imaging. The defense sector in particular relies on IR imaging to produce high-resolution images in near or full black-out conditions.
• Laser range finders. Tripod-, weapon-, helmet-, and vehicle-mounted laser range finders use optics to improve the positioning accuracy of everything from firearms to bombs, allowing for enhanced targeting capabilities. They’re available in a handheld binocular format, as well.
• NVGs. Allowing the user to see even in conditions of almost complete darkness, these optoelectronic goggles generate low-light visuals as near-infrared or visible light images.
• Reflective systems (mirrors). From aircraft systems to telescopes, mirrors facilitate numerous optical processes by reflecting light. Mirrors are commonly made of light silicon carbide, which helps minimize the weight of aerospace components.
• Rifle scopes. Soldiers look through these firearm-mounted scopes, and the optical components magnify the intended target to increase positioning accuracy when they fire a round. Rifle scopes consist of an erector as well as magnifying, ocular, and objective lenses.
• SWIR imaging. A technology that uses the absorption and reflection of photons on an object to provide a high-contrast image, SWIR imaging can generate high-resolution visuals using ambient nighttime light sources like nightglow or starlight.
• Thermal imaging. This advanced, non-invasive imaging process picks up on heat emissions with the help of IR technology. It captures a visual of IR energy that’s impossible for the naked eye to see and transforms it into visible light, generating a viewable thermal imaging display.

Work With OSE Optics

At OSE, we draw on nearly a decade of expertise in optical components and assemblies to provide the defense and aerospace industries with optics solutions to revolutionize data communications reliability and efficiency, high-quality visual imaging, and more. Unlike our competitors, we can achieve high-precision alignment of multiple lens components, and we operate an entire department dedicated to optical systems impact.

OSE’s core competencies are in optical system sourcing, assembly, and testing. To that end, we offer IR modulation transfer function (MTF) testing as well as visible interferometer testing, and have some of the fastest assembly times in the industry. To learn more about how our optics solutions can support your aerospace and defense needs, contact us today and speak with our knowledgeable optics sales team.