Semi Conductor Devices (SCD) says it has secured three new contracts worth about $40 million for mid-wave infrared (MWIR) detector solutions, with deliveries expected to begin in 2027.
The company said the deals cover airborne, space and homeland security applications, as demand grows for infrared sensing used for drone detection, border protection, tactical manoeuvring systems and long-range stand-off detection.
SCD linked the demand to the wider proliferation of UAVs and emerging aerial threats, arguing this is expanding the customer base for MWIR beyond a small number of high-end platforms.
According to SCD, requirements are shifting towards high-definition performance and extended detection range, while also prioritising compact size, weight, power and cost constraints (SWaP-C), system-level integration affordability, and the ability to deploy in volume.
In its announcement, SCD said it will support these requirements through what it described as a portfolio of MWIR products, High Operating Temperature (HOT) MWIR technology, and established high-volume manufacturing.
Chief executive Kobi Zaushnizer said the challenge for the industry is not only detector performance, but also delivering HD MWIR with the right SWaP-C and cost, with reliability, and in the quantities and timeframes required for operational deployment.
SCD said the contracts build on demand for its MWIR portfolio, including Sparrow, Sparrow-HD, Mini Blackbird and Crane, which it positions across applications ranging from compact tactical systems to airborne and space platforms.
The company said Sparrow, introduced in 2020, is designed for low-SWaP-C tactical and multi-domain uses and has recorded more than 8,000 units in accumulated sales and orders. Sparrow-HD adds a 5um pixel pitch, while Mini Blackbird 1280 HFM is positioned for airborne and tactical payloads. SCD said its Crane detector is a 5-megapixel, 5um MWIR product intended for high-resolution and extended-range detection, including airborne missile warning and threat-detection systems.
