Optics 1
Optics 1 is a privately-held optics design firm founded in 1987 in Bedford, United States, specializing in infrared lens and thermal imaging technology for defense, surveillance, and industrial applications. It serves military and industrial clients requiring night vision, threat detection, and thermal monitoring capabilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1987
- HeadquartersBedford, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Optics 1 does
Optics 1 is a privately-held optics design and engineering firm founded in 1987 and headquartered in Bedford, United States, with a workforce of 51–100 employees. The company is engaged in optical design and development across the visible, infrared, ultraviolet, X-ray, and microwave spectrums, with its commercial core centered on infrared lens and thermal imaging technology. Its product portfolio addresses defense and surveillance end-uses (tactical night vision, threat detection, situational awareness) and industrial applications (thermal inspection, equipment monitoring, non-destructive testing).
The company's core technology is specialized infrared lens manufacturing and thermal imaging systems, sold as hardware-centric solutions rather than software platforms. As a defense technology vendor, Optics 1's go-to-market is consistent with direct government defense procurement channels and defense contractor partnerships. The company received $38 million in funding from the United States Navy on 2010-01-21, indicating a substantial contracting relationship with a single government buyer. Sanal Optotech is identified as founder and Philip Gassin as CFO. No product pricing, revenue figures, named customer contracts beyond the Navy, or distribution arrangements are publicly disclosed.
The business model is built on defense procurement contracts, with revenue mechanics not publicly disclosed. Customer segmentation is vertical: Defense and Surveillance is the primary segment and Industrial Applications is secondary. The company operates as a niche specialist in the broader electro-optical/infrared market, which also includes larger primes such as Safran Defense & Space, Inc. (Safran DSI), whose EO/IR & Laser Systems business unit competes in the same dismounted soldier, airborne, naval, space, and land vehicle mission space.
Optics 1 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Optics 1
- Legal name
- Optics 1
- Website
- https://optics1.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1987
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Optics 1 is a privately-held optics design firm founded in 1987 in Bedford, United States, specializing in infrared lens and thermal imaging technology for defense, surveillance, and industrial applications. It serves military and industrial clients requiring night vision, threat detection, and thermal monitoring capabilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Optics 1 industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Infrared Optics and Thermal Imaging
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Optical & Light Sensors (Photodiodes/ALS/Color/UV) (HDAHALAE)
Keywords
Where Optics 1 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bedford
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Optics 1 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Optics 1 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Optics 1 designs and manufactures infrared lenses and thermal imaging systems that operate across the optical spectrum, including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light, as well as X-rays and microwaves. Its products support night vision, threat detection, and thermal monitoring for defense, surveillance, and industrial inspection customers.
Product overview
Optics 1 is a vendor in the infrared lens and thermal imaging market serving defense, surveillance, and industrial applications. The company offers product portfolios in infrared/optical technology, though specific named products are not detailed in available sources.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Infrared Lenses and Thermal Imaging Systems
Companies that use Optics 1
Customer profileSegments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Optics 1 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Optics 1 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves3 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Optics 1 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI): Safran DSI is the apparent acquirer of Optics 1 and a major US-based defense prime offering EO/IR and laser systems for dismounted soldier, airborne, naval, space, and land vehicle operations, directly overlapping with Optics 1's IR lens and thermal imaging offering.
- Teledyne FLIR: Teledyne FLIR is a leading provider of thermal imaging cameras, components, and IR lenses for defense, industrial, and public safety markets, making it a direct technology and end-market peer to Optics 1.
- L3Harris Technologies: L3Harris is a large US defense prime with significant EO/IR, night vision, and thermal imaging product lines for soldier systems and airborne platforms, competing with and potentially sourcing from Optics 1.
- Thales Group: Thales provides optronic and EO/IR systems for defense, aerospace, and security markets globally, including IR cameras and imaging subsystems comparable to Optics 1's lens-based thermal imaging offerings.
- Elbit Systems: Elbit Systems produces EO/IR systems, thermal imagers, and night vision solutions for defense customers globally, overlapping with Optics 1's IR lens and thermal imaging capabilities.
- BAE Systems Electronic Systems: BAE Systems provides advanced electronics and sensor systems including EO/IR and surveillance products for US and allied defense forces, competing in the same procurement channels as Optics 1.
Direct peers
- Leonardo DRS: Leonardo DRS manufactures advanced EO/IR sensors, thermal imaging modules, and integrated surveillance systems for US military customers, closely overlapping with Optics 1's defense IR lens and thermal imaging portfolio.
- HENSOLDT: HENSOLDT specializes in sensor solutions for defense and security, including optical and IR systems for surveillance and target acquisition, making it a close functional peer to Optics 1 in IR optics for defense.
- Excelitas Technologies: Excelitas manufactures photonic components and optical assemblies including IR optics and thermal imaging modules for defense and industrial customers, closely comparable to Optics 1's IR lens manufacturing business.
Regional players
- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Rafael develops EO/IR payloads, thermal imaging systems, and surveillance sensors primarily for the Israeli defense market, with adjacent product overlap to Optics 1 in defense thermal imaging optics.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Optics 1 social profiles
Digital presenceOptics 1 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Optics 1 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Optics 1 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Optics 1 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Optics 1
What does Optics 1 do?
Optics 1 designs and manufactures infrared lenses and thermal imaging systems that operate across the optical spectrum, including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light, as well as X-rays and microwaves. Its products support night vision, threat detection, and thermal monitoring for defense, surveillance, and industrial inspection customers.
When was Optics 1 founded?
Optics 1 was founded in 1987. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Optics 1 based?
Optics 1 is headquartered in Bedford, United States, in the North America region.
Who are Optics 1's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), Teledyne FLIR, L3Harris Technologies, Thales Group, Elbit Systems and BAE Systems Electronic Systems. Direct peers are Leonardo DRS, HENSOLDT and Excelitas Technologies. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems is listed as a regional player.
Does Optics 1 have an API?
No public API is recorded for Optics 1.
What industry is Optics 1 in?
Optics 1's product category is Infrared Optics and Thermal Imaging. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HDAHALAE, Optical & Light Sensors (Photodiodes/ALS/Color/UV). Its SIC code is 3827.