LYNRED unveils ARGO SL compact MWIR detector for SWaP-constrained drone and soldier systems

The detector is intended for surveillance and reconnaissance applications in environments where darkness, fog, smoke, haze, or battlefield obscurants limit conventional visible-spectrum imaging systems.
May 12, 2026
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GRENOBLE, France - LYNRED in Palaiseau, France, has introduced ARGO SL, a compact turnkey mid-wave infrared (MWIR) detector module designed for size, weight, and power (SWaP)-constrained military drones, tactical uncrewed aerial vehicles, and soldier-borne imaging systems.

ARGO SL is a VGA-format MWIR thermal imaging module built around a type II superlattice (T2SL) focal plane array operating at 130 kelvin and covering the MWIR red band from 3.7 to 4.8 micrometers. The detector is intended for surveillance and reconnaissance applications in environments where darkness, fog, smoke, haze, or battlefield obscurants limit the effectiveness of conventional visible-spectrum imaging systems.

The new module reflects growing defense demand for compact thermal-imaging payloads capable of operating aboard small, uncrewed aerial systems and dismounted soldier platforms without significantly increasing power consumption or reducing endurance. 

LYNRED said the ARGO SL module delivers 640-by-512-pixel VGA resolution with a 15-micrometer pixel pitch while maintaining power consumption at 4 watts DC. The compact form factor is designed for integration into sub-6-inch gimbals aboard tactical UAVs as well as handheld and soldier-borne thermal imaging systems.

The detector extends LYNRED's MWIR product portfolio by complementing the company's GALATEA SL detector, which operates in the MWIR blue band between 3.6 and 4.2 micrometers. According to the company, the broader MWIR red-band spectral coverage improves signal-to-noise performance and image robustness in difficult operating conditions.

ARGO SL is integrated into the company's PlugUp platform, which standardizes electrical and mechanical interfaces for cooled infrared detectors to simplify integration into OEM electro-optical and infrared imaging systems. The platform is also intended to reduce redesign requirements and accelerate deployment cycles for defense imaging manufacturers.

An Advanced Thermal Imager configuration includes integrated image-correction and preprocessing functions such as non-uniformity correction, bad pixel replacement, denoising, destriping, and color mapping intended to reduce software integration overhead for system developers.

The detector is targeted at OEMs developing electro-optical and infrared payloads for tactical ISR, perimeter surveillance, and battlefield situational awareness systems where SWaP constraints and mission endurance remain critical design considerations.

For more information, please visit https://www.lynred.com/.