What AIM Infrarot-Module does

AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH is a Heilbronn, Germany-based manufacturer of high-performance infrared detectors, thermal imaging modules, and Stirling cryocoolers used to operate those detectors at cryogenic temperatures. Founded in 1996 and operating today as a subsidiary of Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, the company is one of a small elite group of specialized suppliers worldwide in this segment, claiming a high export share and fielding products with the German Bundeswehr, multiple NATO countries, and the Japanese space agency JAXA. The company runs vertically integrated operations spanning crystal growth, semiconductor processing (HgCdTe / MCT), microelectronics, optics, and precision mechanics, producing both standard series products and customer-specific solutions.

Its product portfolio spans four main categories: (1) cooled infrared detector modules including extended SWIR (eSWIR 0.9–2.5 μm), MWIR and LWIR Integrated Detector Cooler Assemblies (IDCAs) such as the HiPIR family, 3rd-generation dual-color MWIR modules (HiPIR-320MM), and the ultra-compact HiPIR-Engine HOT MCT; (2) thermal weapon sights including the HuntIR, HuntIR Mk2, and HuntIR/RangIR families deployed under the German SMP IdZ / IdZ-ES soldier modernization programs; (3) Stirling cryocoolers including 3rd-gen linear coolers (SX series), flexure bearing coolers (SF series), high-capacity linear coolers (SL series), and pulse tube space coolers (SF100PT, SF400PT) with lifetimes exceeding 60,000 hours, plus matching digital cryocooler drive electronics; and (4) industrial and scientific eSWIR modules for hyperspectral imaging and spectroscopy.

AIM sells primarily through direct enterprise field sales to defense and government customers via official military procurement channels, with no consumer distribution and minimal public pricing. Customer segmentation is vertical: Defense and Military (primary segment, including armored vehicles, naval surveillance, UAVs, soldier systems, and targeting), Space and Aerospace (a stated growth segment anchored by the 2025 JAXA GOSAT-GW satellite win), and Industrial and Scientific (hyperspectral imaging, spectroscopy, gas analysis, process control). Marketing is built on participation in major defense and security trade fairs (SPIE, DSEI London, DSEI Japan, Enforce TAC, FEINDEF, Eurosatory, Future Forces) and technical conference presence at SPIE Defense + Commercial Sensing, with a corporate website serving as the only direct digital channel.

Name

AIM Infrarot-Module

Legal name

AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH

Website

https://aim-ir.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH is a Heilbronn-based German manufacturer of high-performance HgCdTe infrared detectors, Stirling cryocoolers, and thermal imaging modules serving defense, space, and industrial customers. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG, fielding products with the German Bundeswehr, NATO, and JAXA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Infrared Detection and Thermal Imaging

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)

akta.pro primary industry

Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors & Targeting Systems (IMABAGAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Aerospace Thermal Management, Insulation & Fire Protection Materials (IMABANAE)

Keywords

• Infrared detector modules
• Thermal imaging systems
• Stirling cryocoolers
• Military thermal sights
• MCT infrared technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Heilbronn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Infrared Detectors and Thermal Imaging Systems: Sale of cooled and uncooled infrared detector modules, IDCA assemblies, and complete thermal imaging systems for defense, security, space, and industrial applications. Products include MWIR, LWIR, and eSWIR modules along with thermal weapon sights and reconnaissance systems.
2. Stirling Cryocoolers: Manufacture and sale of cryogenic cooling systems including linear coolers, flexure bearing coolers, and pulse tube coolers for infrared detector operation and space applications
3. Custom Solutions and Engineering Services: Customer-specific product development and custom module solutions for specialized defense, space, and industrial applications, alongside service and support offerings

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH develops, manufactures, and sells high-quality infrared detectors, thermal imaging devices, and Stirling cryocoolers for operating detectors at cryogenic temperatures. The portfolio spans cooled eSWIR/MWIR/LWIR/dual-color detector modules (IDCAs), compact MWIR camera engines, military thermal weapon sights (HuntIR, HuntIR Mk2, HuntIR/RangIR), and a full family of linear, flexure-bearing, and pulse tube cryocoolers with associated cooler drive electronics for defense, space, and industrial applications.

Product overview

AIM Infrarot-Module GmbH develops, manufactures, and sells high-quality infrared detectors, thermal imaging systems, and Stirling cryocoolers for operating detectors at cryogenic temperatures. The product portfolio comprises three main categories: (1) IR Detector Modules including eSWIR extended short-wave infrared modules (eSWIR 640x512 series), MWIR medium-wave infrared IDCAs (HiPIR-640M, HiPIR-1024M, HiPIR-HD720M), LWIR long-wave infrared IDCAs (HiPIR-640L, HiPIR-1024L, HiPIR-HD720L), 3rd Generation bispectral dual-color modules (HiPIR-320MM), and HiPIR-Engine HOT compact MWIR camera cores; (2) Thermal Sights including HuntIR Mk2 thermal targeting sight and HuntIR/RangIR thermal reconnaissance and targeting sights; (3) Cryocoolers including 3rd Gen linear coolers (SX020, SX030, SX035, SX040, SX095), Flexure Bearing coolers (SF070, SF100), Linear coolers (SL150, SL400), Cooler Drive Electronics (DCE025, µDCE050, DCE100), Space cryocoolers (SF100PT, SF400PT), and Commercial/Industrial coolers (MCC020, MCC030, MCC035, MCC040, SF100PT); (4) SWIR Modules for industrial hyperspectral imaging (SWIR384, SWIR1024). The company offers both standard series products and customer-specific solutions, serving defense, security, space, industrial process control, environmental monitoring, and research applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• eSWIR 640x512 15µm IR Module Cooled extended SWIR MCT IR module for security/defense applications, enabling detection through fog, haze, and window glass with 640x512 VGA resolution at 15µm pitch.
• eSWIR 640x512 10µm IR Module Ultra-compact eSWIR MCT engine in a 60x60x50mm enclosure for security applications, providing Night-Glow enhanced night vision.
• HiPIR-640M MWIR IDCA Module MWIR MCT Integrated Detector Cooler Assembly in 640x512 TV format for defense/security thermal imaging.
• HiPIR-1024M MWIR IDCA Module XGA-format (1024x768) MWIR MCT IDCA module for defense/security thermal imaging upgrades.
• HiPIR-HD720M MWIR IDCA Module HD 16:9 (1280x720) MWIR MCT IDCA module optimized for long-range surveillance and gunner/commander sights.
• HiPIR-640L LWIR IDCA Module 640x512 LWIR MCT IDCA module with minimum SWaP for defense/security imaging applications.
• HiPIR-1024L LWIR IDCA Module XGA (1024x768) LWIR MCT IDCA module for fast moving object recognition in defense/security.
• HiPIR-HD720L LWIR IDCA Module HD 16:9 (1280x720) LWIR MCT IDCA module optimized for wide-area surveillance.
• HiPIR-320MM Dual-Color MWIR Module 3rd-generation dual-color MWIR module with spatial/temporal coincident registration for missile approach warning and advanced image processing.
• HiPIR-Engine HOT MCT MWIR Camera Core Ultra-compact MWIR camera engine with HOT MCT detector in 60x60x50mm enclosure, drawing under 4W, for SWaP-constrained applications such as small UAVs and portable systems.
• HuntIR Mk2 Thermal Targeting Sight Clip-on thermal targeting and observation sight for infantry riflescopes, supporting 1,500m precise engagement at day and night in a sub-2kg, sub-180mm package with integrated ballistics computer. Fielded in the German Bundeswehr IdZ-ES program.
• HuntIR / RangIR Thermal Sight Thermal targeting sight with integrated laser range finder, magnetic compass and ballistics calculator, fielded as WBZG for the German SMP IdZ-2/Gladius system for 40mm HV automatic grenade launcher fire control.
• SX020 Single-Piston Linear Cryocooler Most compact single-piston linear Stirling cryocooler for HOT IR applications, with >30,000h lifetime and >0.5W cooling at 160K.
• SX030 Single-Piston Linear Cryocooler Compact single-piston linear Stirling cryocooler for HOT IR applications, with >30,000h lifetime, >0.6W @ 140K cooling and under 3W power consumption.
• SX035 Dual-Piston Linear Cryocooler Most compact dual-piston linear Stirling cryocooler for IR applications, with >30,000h lifetime and >1W cooling at 120K.
• SX040 Dual-Piston Linear Cryocooler Compact dual-piston linear Stirling cryocooler for 3rd Gen IR and industrial applications, with >30,000h lifetime and >0.6W cooling at 95K.
• SX095 High-Performance Dual-Piston Linear Cryocooler High-performance dual-piston linear cryocooler for 3rd Gen IR applications, supporting QWIP and VLWIR detectors down to 60K.
• SF070 Flexure-Bearing Moving Magnet Cryocooler Most compact flexure-bearing moving magnet Stirling cryocooler with >30,000h lifetime and detector cooling down to 70K.
• SF100 Flexure-Bearing Moving Magnet Cryocooler High-performance flexure-bearing moving magnet Stirling cryocooler for high-performance IR detectors and HTS applications, with 2W @ 80K cooling.
• SL150 High-Performance Linear Stirling Cooler High-performance linear Stirling cooler delivering 1.5W at 67K for IR applications with detector temperatures down to 50K.
• SL400 High-Capacity Linear Stirling Cooler High-capacity linear Stirling cooler delivering 3W at 80K and coldtip temperatures down to 29K for demanding IR integrations.
• Digital Cryocooler Electronics DCE025 Low-power digital cooler drive electronics for IDCAs up to 25W DC, with single-PCB design and integrated EMI input filter.
• Digital Cryocooler Electronics µDCE050 Micro digital cooler drive electronics for cryocoolers up to 50W DC, with REACH & RoHS compliance and improved temperature stability.
• Digital Cryocooler Electronics DCE100 High-power digital cooler drive electronics (25-100W DC) with enhanced telecommand/telemeasuring and internal EMI filter.
• SF100PT Space Pulse Tube Cryocooler Space-qualified flexure-bearing pulse tube cryocooler with moving magnet technology and >60,000h lifetime, delivering up to 1W @ 80K.
• SF400PT Space Pulse Tube Cryocooler Space-qualified flexure-bearing pulse tube cryocooler with >60,000h lifetime and net cooling capacity up to 1.3W @ 80K.
• SWIR384 (VIS-SWIR384) Industrial SWIR Module Compact 384x288 eSWIR IDCA with up to 450Hz full-frame rate for hyperspectral imaging, spectroscopy and industrial sensing applications.
• SWIR1024 (VIS-SWIR1024) Industrial SWIR Module High-performance 1024x256 eSWIR IDCA optimized for hyperspectral imaging in push-broom mode at 150K FPA temperature.
• MCC020 Commercial Single-Piston Linear Cryocooler Most compact commercial single-piston linear cryocooler with REACH & RoHS compliance for spectroscopic instruments and gas analyzers.
• MCC030 Commercial Single-Piston Linear Cryocooler Compact commercial single-piston linear cryocooler for 24/7 operation of spectroscopic devices and gas analyzers.
• MCC035 Commercial Dual-Piston Linear Cryocooler Compact commercial dual-piston linear cryocooler with REACH & RoHS compliance for 24/7 spectroscopic and gas analysis applications.
• MCC040 Commercial Dual-Piston Linear Cryocooler Compact commercial dual-piston linear cryocooler for spectroscopic devices and gas analyzers in stationary and portable form factors.
• SF100PT Industrial Pulse Tube Cryocooler Industrial flexure-bearing pulse tube cryocooler with very low vibration and >60,000h lifetime for 24/7 industrial and scientific applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Lifetimes exceeding 60,000 hours for space applications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Lynred: Lynred (formerly Sofradir/Ulis) is the leading European manufacturer of cooled and uncooled IR detectors based on MCT and microbolometer technology. It is the closest direct competitor to AIM in cooled HgCdTe IDCA technology serving defense, space, and industrial markets.
• InfraTec: InfraTec GmbH is a Dresden-based German manufacturer of high-precision infrared detectors, cameras, and thermography systems. It directly competes with AIM in cooled and uncooled IR detectors and thermal imaging for industrial, scientific, and defense applications.
• SCD (Semi-Conductor Devices): SCD is an Israeli specialist in cooled and uncooled infrared detectors based on MCT, InSb, and Type-II superlattice (T2SL/XBn) technologies, widely integrated into defense and space programs. It directly competes with AIM in high-end cooled IR detector modules for defense primes.
• Xenics: Xenics (Belgium) is a European manufacturer of SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR detectors and cameras for industrial, scientific, and defense applications. It directly competes with AIM in the SWIR / eSWIR product space, including hyperspectral and machine vision.
• HGH Systèmes Infrarouges: HGH Systèmes Infrarouges is a French specialist in IR test equipment, blackbody sources, and turnkey thermal imaging systems for defense and industrial customers. It is a direct peer in delivering integrated IR solutions to European defense and security end-users.

Broad incumbents

• Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR is the dominant global player in thermal imaging cameras, uncooled microbolometer cores, and integrated IR systems for defense, industrial, and commercial markets. It competes broadly with AIM across both cooled and uncooled detector and system product lines.
• Leonardo: Leonardo is a major European defense prime with significant IR detector and electro-optics capabilities, including through Leonardo DRS. It is a broad incumbent offering IR-equipped defense platforms and competes with AIM for IR detector content on European defense programs.
• Thales: Thales is a large European defense and aerospace group with significant electro-optics and IR system capabilities across land, naval, and airborne platforms. It competes with AIM for IR detector and thermal sight content on European defense modernization programs.
• L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a major U.S. defense electronics prime with significant IR sensor, targeting, and night vision capabilities across land, maritime, and airborne platforms. It competes broadly with AIM for cooled IR detector content on U.S. and allied defense programs.
• Excelitas Technologies: Excelitas Technologies (which acquired Qioptiq and FLIR Scientific) is a broad photonics and sensor supplier with cooled IR detector, SWIR, and cryogenic cooling capabilities. It competes with AIM across defense, space, industrial, and scientific IR detector and cryocooler applications.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AIM Infrarot-Module