Ukraine launches production of thermal imaging cameras for FPV drones

24 October, 2024 Thermal imaging camera manufactured by the Ukrainian company Odd Systems. Ukrainian manufacturer of FPV drones Odd Systems has developed and refined the production of cheap thermal imaging cameras, "Kurbas 256," for attack drones. Company representatives shared this with Militarnyi.

Odd Systems is a Ukrainian manufacturer specializing in the production of FPV drones and various components for them. The company has also manufactured cameras for pets in the past. "We studied the experience and considered the wishes of FPV operators.

We have created a Ukrainian product with full control of hardware and low-level software," the developers stated. Compared to other thermal imaging cameras of a similar class, Kurbas-256 offers identical or better image quality at a lower price. When ordering a batch of 500 units, the cost of one camera will be UAH 10,000 (£250), but with an increase in volume to 5000 units due to mass production, the cost will drop to UAH 6,000 (£150).

For comparison, similar sights Seek UAV 256 and CADDX-256 cost UAH 12,000 and 13,000 per unit, respectively.

Image quality of the Ukrainian camera "Kurbas 256" and available foreign analogues.

The Kurbas-256 is an analog thermal imaging camera with a resolution of 256x192 pixels. The viewing angles are 50? horizontally and 37.2? vertically. One of the camera's unique features is the ability to change the image contrast directly mid-flight.

This option can be useful for an FPV drone operator to better perceive the image in changing battlefield conditions. This was made possible by the developers' full control over the operation of the system elements and the camera's low-level software.

Changing the contrast of the Kurbas 256 camera mid-flight. Photo: Odd Systems

During the camera's development, the project participants actively studied the combat experience of using available Chinese thermal imaging cameras and considered their shortcomings and user comments.

"The pilots we talked to complained that condensation formed between the sensor and the outer glass in winter, making the camera unusable. This problem only worsened with the longer storage of cameras or drones. We took this into account in the Kurbas camera and made it completely sealed," a company representative shared.

Odd Systems has also implemented a pseudo-color image interpretation mode that can help pilots navigate the terrain. On the Kurbas 256 camera, it can be switched on and off mid-flight.

The pseudo-color image mode of the Kurbas 256 camera. Photo: Odd Systems

"Other thermal imaging cameras have an unpleasant freezing quality for several seconds at regular intervals.

It is clear that pilots do not like this.

This happens because of the so-called calibration shutter, which is automatically triggered - a design feature of all such thermal imagers.

Due to the fact that we developed the Kurbas camera completely independently, we can control the operation of the curtain, making life easier for pilots," the developers disclosed.