Navitar, Inc

Headquartered in Rochester, New York, Navitar is a global manufacturer of camera and lens vision systems used to solve the toughest electro-optical vision engineering problems.  Navitar’s optical technology and proprietary lens-sensor active alignment process helps Military & Defense companies obtain dominant positions and ensures tactical overmatch against a broad spectrum of air and missile threats.  Navitar is set up to be part of their customer’s integrated product development team (IPT) through full production.

Navitar is ITAR registered and has received its official International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration certificate from the US Department of State.

High Quality Vision Solutions for Military and Defense

Navitar has designed and manufactured lens systems for the Department of Defense for over 60 years. We are proud to contribute to the safety and protection of the United States and continue to support our military branches and national security and defense strategies. 

Navitar lenses, cameras, and electro-optical vision systems achieve excellent resolution, have superior stray light rejection, show little-to-no image focus loss over large temperature ranges, and offer outstanding color correction. 

High quality, precision image capture leads to mission flexibility and success. We work with and supply top defense contractors and niche technology companies’ cutting-edge camera and lens vision systems and components. Our optical, electrical, and mechanical engineers are ready to join your integrated product team (IPT).

Vision Technology Solutions for:

• Missile Guidance and Tracking
• Soldier Systems
• Aerial Imaging
• Ground Surveillance
• Maritime Imaging
• Head Borne Vision Systems
• Mobile Air Defense Systems
• Mine Detection Equipment
• Payload / Gimbal Visible Imaging Systems
• Imaging Systems for UAVs, UGVs and UMVs
• Naval Aircraft Launch and Recovery Systems
• Anti-Drone Long Range Detection, Location, Tracking, Identification and Mitigation 

Navitar camera and lens vision technology solutions are used in Military & Defense systems and Homeland Security applications. Using the same technology Navitar developed for the autonomous car industry, enabling cars to drive in blinding and glaring sun light, Navitar has designed imaging solutions that aid in missile tracking and target accuracy, and better situational awareness for soldiers in fighting environments. This technology is also incorporated into military surveillance systems to detect and track hostile drones, gimbal payloads and improve facial recognition for the Department of Homeland Security.

At the core of Navitar’s camera and lens vision technology is the ability to achieve excellent resolution across the field; superior stray light mitigation enabling the ability to see in bright sun with minimal ghost image artifacts; and thermal performance that is excellent to a temperature as low as -40 degrees C to a maximum of 85 degrees C. Navitar’s electro-optical vision systems show little-to-no image focus loss over large temperature ranges, outstanding color correction, and low lens-to-lens variation. 

Compact, Lightweight 4K HDR Lenses

Navitar polarized vision technology solutions are ideal for use in advanced facial recognition systems for Homeland Security applications. Our camera and lens modules combine Sony Pregius 3rd and 4th generation image sensors and Navitar 4K HDR grade lenses to offer broader visual detection and more detailed images.

Navitar's 4K compact, lightweight HDR wide angle lenses offer superior stray light rejection down to 1E-5 while maximizing MTF at the Nyquist frequency of small pixel sensors.

Operating in the visible or VIS/NIR waveband at apertures up to F/1.8, these new lenses are environmentally robust and perform at military grade temperature ranges of -20°C to +80°C.

Additional features and lens options:

• IP67 sealing for use in water depths up to 1 meter
• Optional iris or dual position electronic shutters allow precise control of exposure levels for day/night imagery.

Navitar Ruggedized Optics and Camera Modules

Navitar lenses are produced with multi-layer anti-reflection coatings, a built-in infra-red rejection filter and ultra low reflectance internal mechanics for excellent veiling glare characteristics.

• Lenses are easily integrated with Navitar Pixelink cameras or proprietary sensors provided by the customer.
• Lens-sensor active alignment ensures the full capability of the lens and sensor are carried over to each completed electro-optical module.
• We closely control the fabrication process and monitor manufacturing - from commercial to ultra-precision tolerances.
• State-of-the-art, ITAR registered facilities, active lens-sensor alignment in our ISO Class 1000 clean room.
• We work with customers as part of their integrated product development team (IPT) from inception through full production.

Vision Systems Optimized for Adverse Environments 

• Athermal Performance: maintain focus over extreme temperature (-40C - 105C)
• Stray Light HDR: Navitar HDR lenses are optimized for low veiling glare, no ghosts and stray light levels of 1E-5
• Maximum Resolution: Edge to Edge MTF response of 40%+ at Nyquist (100-150 lp/mm

Soldier Systems - Improving Situational Awareness and Threat Detection

Navitar provides lenses, cameras and integrated camera sensor and lens modules for the immersive, interconnected soldier to help them operate and thrive in combat. Our vision systems are used in Integrated Visual Augmentation Systems (IVAS) providing situational awareness data used to improve training or assist within actual combat. in both high and low temperature environments. Our visual systems maintain focus over extreme temperatures and designed to capture images despite low light or glaring sun. 

Air Defense Systems Against Drones / Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS)

Navitar lens-sensor integrated modules are used in imaging and surveillance systems for long range detection, location, tracking, identification, and mitigation of hostile drone attacks. Hostile drones are a growing threat as swarms of autonomous drone attacks are dramatically increasing worldwide. These threats include drones flying near airports, endangering civilian flights and passenger lives. High performance imaging modules improve optical surveillance capabilities of Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems (CUAS) providing clearer identification of unknown objects even in blinding sun. Our electro-optical systems help combat the rise of drone threats and detect and protect against rockets, artillery, or mortar.  

Missile Guidance and Missile Tracking

Navitar’s precision electro-optics are optimized to see through sun glare and can operate under adverse environmental conditions improving missile guidance and the missile’s target accuracy.  Ideal for electro-optically guided multipurpose missiles providing unique advantages of hitting Non-Line Of Sight (NLOS) targets.  Helps improve pinpoint accuracy for surface-to-surface,  surface-to-air, and air-to-surface target engagements.  Can be operated in a “Fire & Forget” or “Fire & Update” mode.  Our optical systems can help with midcourse navigation and ability to switch between targets during missile flight and abort missions.  The missile’s target accuracy is a critical factor for its effectiveness.  By combining our expertise in lens-sensor integration, we can help missile weapon systems and enhance mission flexibility and success. 

Gimbal Payloads

Navitar’s camera and lens vision technology is used in state-of-the art gimbal payloads which are used for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’s), drones, unmanned ground vehicles (UGV’s) as well as fixed installations.  Navitar electro-optical systems are often used to improve visual surveillance, situational awareness, and threat detection by reducing the amount of light reflected directly from the sun or reducing the reflections of light from the surface of water and glass.  With Navitar vision technology surveillance is a lot clearer in a broad range of Gimbal Payload applications ranging from surveillance, defense, homeland security, coastal protection, security of sensitive sites and counter drone protection. 

Homeland Security - Facial Recognition

Navitar has developed polarized vision technology solutions ideal for use in advanced facial recognition systems for Homeland Security applications. Our camera and lens modules combine Sony Pregius 3rd and 4th generation image sensors and Navitar 4K HDR grade lenses to offer broader visual detection and more detailed images. Navitar 4K high dynamic range lenses are produced with a multi-layer anti-reflection coating, built-in infra-red rejection filter, and ultra-low reflectance internal mechanics which reduce glare, filter unwanted reflections and accurately detect facial features through low contrast surfaces such as tinted glass windshields.

Navitar imaging lenses, camera systems, and custom lens assemblies are used in applications such as: 

• Aircraft launch and recovery systems aboard Naval aircraft carriers
• Mine detection equipment and Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Tracking rockets, missiles, and other high-speed objects
• Spacecraft navigation systems
• Vehicle mounted, land based mobile drone detection systems
• Unmanned aerial systems monitoring stages of rocket launches