Misgav, Israel — Semi Conductor Devices (SCD) has secured three new contracts worth approximately $40 million for its Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) solutions. The contracts cover airborne, space and homeland security applications, with initial deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027.
SCD, based at the Leshem Industrial Park near Misgav, is an independent joint venture owned by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Elbit Systems. The company develops and manufactures cooled and uncooled infrared detectors for military and commercial applications.
Growing Demand for MWIR
The contracts reflect demand for advanced infrared sensors for drone detection, border protection, tactical operations and long-range surveillance. Customers are seeking high-definition imaging, longer detection and identification ranges, and lower Size, Weight, Power and Cost (SWaP-C).
SCD addresses these requirements through its High Operating Temperature (HOT) MWIR technology and established high-volume manufacturing capabilities.
SCD CEO Kobi Zaushnizer said MWIR is moving from a specialized capability used mainly on high-end platforms toward a broader operational requirement. He said the industry needs to deliver HD MWIR with suitable SWaP-C, reliability and production capacity in the quantities and timeframes required by customers.
SCD’s MWIR Product Family
The new contracts will draw on SCD’s established MWIR detector portfolio.
Sparrow is a compact, low-SWaP-C MWIR detector for multi-domain tactical applications. Since its launch in 2020, SCD has recorded more than 8,000 sales and orders. It has been integrated into UAVs, loitering munitions, remote weapon stations and perimeter security systems.
Sparrow-HD features a 5-micrometer pixel pitch, providing more pixels on the target while maintaining a compact design for tactical platforms.
The Mini Blackbird 1280 HFM is a high-definition MWIR system for airborne and tactical payloads, combining long-range imaging with low power consumption and a design suited to demanding operational environments.
The Crane is a 5-megapixel, 5-micrometer MWIR detector designed for high-resolution and extended-range tracking, including airborne missile warning and high-altitude threat detection systems.
Manufacturing and Applications
SCD has more than four decades of experience in infrared detector development and manufacturing. Its technologies include InSb, XBn, InGaAs, T2SL and VOx across the infrared spectrum.
The company supplies defense, homeland security, space and industrial customers and maintains integrated manufacturing capabilities for higher-volume production.
The three contracts expand SCD’s MWIR applications across airborne, space and security platforms, ranging from compact tactical sensors to higher-performance long-range systems. Initial deliveries are expected to begin in 2027.
——— End of Article ———