FLIR Systems Announces New FLIR Vue™ Thermal Cameras for sUAS

Lightweight, affordable plug-and-play thermal cameras for a wide range of commercial sUAS

FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced the release of its new FLIR Vue – a compact thermal camera specifically designed for use on commercial sUAS. FLIR Vue makes FLIR’s world-leading thermal imaging capability more accessible to commercial drone operators by being easier to integrate, small and lightweight, and vastly more affordable than other sUAS-based thermal imaging solutions.

The airborne use of thermal imaging has proven itself invaluable in full scale aviation operations for decades. But sUAS can access many areas that full-sized aircraft cannot, and do so more affordably, with lower capital and operating costs. By bringing the benefits of FLIR’s heat sensing technology to these operations, applications like search and rescue, substation inspections, livestock monitoring, precision agriculture, critical infrastructure security, pipeline and power line inspections, emergency response operations, and many more can have the proven benefits of airborne thermal imaging.

 “The commercial drone market has been exploding recently, and demand for FLIR’s cameras to be used on small unmanned aircraft has been growing along with it,” said Bill Terre, Vice President and General Manager of FLIR’s OEM and Emerging Technologies segment. “Even though the drone industry is still in its infancy, small unmanned aircraft are already impacting our lives in many ways, and FLIR is uniquely positioned to bring the benefits of its industry-leading thermal cameras to thousands of operators around the world.”

Most other thermal cameras that are small and light enough to be used on commercial drones require extensive integration work with other on-board systems. FLIR Vue overcomes this hurdle by providing a simple power-in/video-out interface over the same mini-USB interface thousands of sUAS operators already use with the most popular action cameras. By providing cables that are compatible with the most common power and video connectors, FLIR Vue is a simple plug-and-play thermal imaging solution for sUAS available and is ready to use with the most popular video transmitters and OSDs. Weighing only 72 grams, the small and lightweight form factor minimizes the impact to sUAS weight and flight time. 

FLIR Vue will be available in either 336x256 or 640x480 resolution. The 336 resolution camera will have 7, 13, or 19mm lenses available, while the 640 resolution option will have 9, 13, or 19mm lenses to choose from. FLIR Vue will come pre-configured with all of its image processing features optimized for sUAS operations. This class-leading thermal imaging power is now available for $1,499 for the 336 resolution version and $2,999 for the 640 resolution camera.

The new FLIR Vue will be available at retailers Intelligent UAS and Atlanta Hobby in June 2015 with others to follow. To learn more about this exciting thermal camera, visit www.flir.com/flirvue today. FLIR Vue will be showcased at AUVSI in Atlanta from May 4-7 in booth #2912. 

About FLIR Systems

FLIR Systems, Inc. is a world leader in the design, manufacture, and marketing of sensor systems that enhance perception and awareness. FLIR's advanced thermal imaging and threat detection systems are used for a wide variety of imaging, thermography, and security applications, including airborne and ground-based surveillance, condition monitoring, research and development, manufacturing process control, search and rescue, drug interdiction, navigation, transportation safety, border and maritime patrol, environmental monitoring, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) detection. For more information, go to FLIR’s web site at www.FLIR.com.