In the integration of optoelectronic systems—whether airborne pods, vehicle-mounted sighting systems, or wide-area security surveillance—equipment consistently faces a core dilemma: higher performance demands larger size, and larger size makes platforms struggle to accommodate them.

    Conventional straight-tubed mid-wave high-magnification zoom lenses deliver impressive 10× zoom capability, but their axial lengths often exceed 400 mm and weights frequently surpass 10 kg. For small-to-medium UAV pods and lightweight vehicle-mounted turrets where installation space is at a premium, such dimensions frequently mean "cannot be installed, cannot be lifted, cannot be rotated."

    To address this industry pain point, Wh-Clear introduces the 30-300mm F2.0-U Folded Mid-Wave Cooled Infrared Continuous Zoom Lens. Leveraging an innovative catadioptric folded optical architecture, this product fully retains 10× continuous zoom and a constant F2.0 large aperture while compressing the total length to within 312 mm and controlling weight at 7 kg—making it an ideal optical core for all-weather cooled infrared detection systems.

I. Folded Optical Path Innovation: 10× Zoom with Nearly 25% Size Reduction

   Record a demonstration video

 Why can't conventional straight-tubed 10× mid-wave zoom lenses be made more compact? Optical zoom requires sufficient lens group travel, and physical laws dictate that a straight optical path is inevitably "long and heavy."

    This product adopts a built-in reflective folded optical architecture. By precisely routing the optical path with internal reflectors, the effective optical focal length is preserved while the overall axial length is compressed to ≤312 mm and total weight to ≤7 kg—compared to traditional straight-tubed designs, axial length is reduced by nearly one-quarter, and weight is significantly lighter than comparable straight-tubed counterparts.

    At 312 mm and 7 kg, this represents one of the most competitive lightweight metrics among 10× mid-wave zoom lenses in its class.

The folded optical path delivers more than just numerical improvements—it liberates overall system layout. Wh-Clear's engineering team has addressed three key mechanical aspects to ensure this lens is not only high-performing but also easy to integrate:

· Flange Standardization: The front end is pre-fitted with 8× M3 and 4× M5 standard mounting threaded holes, complemented by 2 sets of φ4 high-precision positioning dowel pins (pin hole tolerance +0.01/–0), enabling plug-and-play installation without secondary on-site fabrication.

· Rear Precision Adjustment Mechanism: Equipped with a precision rotary adjustment base, featuring bidirectional orthogonal reference dimensions of 65±0.05 mm and 62.5±0.05 mm, along with a gear-driven manual fine-adjustment locking mechanism—supporting both fully automated electrical tracking and manual precision calibration.

· Fully Sealed Reinforced Housing: A high-strength alloy integrated lens barrel provides robust structural rigidity, suitable for airborne and vehicular vibration environments, with an internally sealed optical path that is dust-sealed and moisture-protected.

II. 10× Continuous Zoom + Constant F2.0: Wide Search, Long Reach, Clear Vision

   Optical axis alignment testing

 A compact form factor alone is insufficient—imaging performance is the true foundation of any lens.

This product operates across the 3–5 μm standard mid-wave infrared band and is compatible with two mainstream cooled infrared focal plane array detectors:

Detector Specification Compatibility

    1280×1024, 10 μm pixel pitch Standard (compatible by default)

    640×512, 15 μm pixel pitch Standard (compatible by default)

Constant F2.0 Large Aperture Throughout

    The aperture remains fully open across the entire zoom range, delivering consistent light throughput. In low-infrared-irradiance conditions such as nighttime, haze, or foggy weather, it continues to output high-signal-to-noise-ratio, clear imagery—directly determining the system's effective detection range.

Cam-Synchronized Zoom and Compensation

    Employing an accompanying linkage optical mechanism, the zoom group and compensation group move in synchronized cam-driven motion, automatically compensating for optical path differences during zooming. Rapid push-pull zooming and dynamic tracking are achieved without defocusing or image smearing.

III. -40°C to +60°C Without Defocusing: Proven Full-Range Passive Athermalization

    This product incorporates a full-range passive athermalization design. Through precise matching of the thermal characteristics of optical materials and the thermal expansion coefficients of the lens barrel metals, the focal plane position remains stable across the entire operating temperature range of -40°C to +60°C. The result for users is straightforward: from extreme cold to extreme heat, once the lens is installed, no further focus adjustments are required.

    The optical path is composed entirely of high-transmittance germanium (Ge) infrared single-crystal optical elements. A dual-layer germanium-based optical window (0.3 mm and 1 mm) is positioned in front of the focal plane, serving both stray-radiation suppression and Dewar sealing protection—effectively blocking dust and moisture from contaminating the cooled detector core, reducing imaging background noise, and enhancing detection sensitivity for weak heat sources.

    Optical Reference Parameters: Mechanical Back Working Distance (BWD) = 39.64 mm; Optical Back Focal Length (BFL) = 44.92 mm—fully matching standard cooled detector mounting benchmarks, requiring no additional optical alignment during system integration.

IV. Four Application Scenarios, One Lens Covers All

    This lens is designed not for the laboratory, but for real-world deployment environments:

Airborne Optoelectronic Pods

    Small-to-medium UAVs and helicopters for ground reconnaissance, border patrol, forest fire monitoring, and maritime search and rescue. At just 7 kg, this lightweight design enables platforms previously limited to fixed-focal-length lenses to now benefit from 10× zoom capability.

Vehicle-Mounted Mobile Sighting

    Emergency rescue vehicles, border patrol vehicles, and power inspection vehicles. All-weather road heat-source monitoring and hazard identification, with the integrated lens barrel structure ensuring image stability under rough terrain conditions.

Ground-Based Fixed Surveillance

    Airport perimeters, ports, industrial sites, and border outposts. Round-the-clock intrusion heat-source detection and long-range security alerting.

Industrial Precision Thermography

    High-temperature kilns, substation equipment, and metallurgical production lines. Long-distance, non-contact infrared temperature measurement, stably capturing minute temperature anomalies to assist in early diagnosis of equipment faults.

Summary

    The 30-300mm F2.0-U Folded Mid-Wave Cooled Infrared Continuous Zoom Lens breaks through the size and weight barriers of traditional high-magnification infrared lenses. Without compromising optical performance, it delivers 10× zoom capability within dimensions that small-to-medium platforms can readily accommodate.

    It is more than just a lens—it is a complete system-level imaging solution that enables "wide search, long reach, easy installation, and seamless connectivity."

For inquiries regarding procurement, customization, or other requirements for this infrared lens, please contact us via the information provided below. The Wh-Clear technical team is ready to offer you one-on-one support.