Aerospace & defense opticsPalo Alto, California

AEROSPACE / DEFENSE / RUGGEDIZED

Optical systems engineered to survive aerospace and defense environments.

Palo Alto Optics develops imaging, sensing, targeting, and surveillance optics for aerospace and defense programs that demand performance under vibration, shock, temperature extremes, and the field. We design for the environment and the mission, not just the bench.

Discuss an aerospace or defense program Review engineering scope

01Mission

02Optical architecture

03Ruggedization

04Prototype

05Qualification

Ruggedized optical design for defense, aerospace, and unmanned systems, from EO/IR imaging to LiDAR and targeting optics.

01Engineering reality

Defense optics are judged by how they perform in the field, not the lab.

Aerospace and defense systems face vibration, shock, wide temperature swings, contamination, and long storage, while still meeting demanding image, range, or targeting requirements. The environment and the mission drive the design as much as the optics.

Environment-driven design

Vibration, shock, thermal extremes, humidity, and altitude have to be designed in from the start, not corrected later.

Performance under stress

Boresight, image quality, and pointing must hold across the full operating and storage envelope.

Manufacturability and compliance

Designs must be producible under defense supply, documentation, and durability standards.

02Engineering scope

Optical design and ruggedization engineered together.

PAO can define an architecture, ruggedize an existing design, or diagnose a fielded optical system that is missing performance.

Define a technical work package

EO/IR imaging optics

Visible, NIR, SWIR, and LWIR imaging and sensing systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting.

LiDAR and range sensing

Transmit and receive optics for ranging, mapping, and autonomous defense platforms.

Athermalization and ruggedization

Passive athermalization, mount design, and structural-thermal-optical analysis for the operating envelope.

Coatings and durability

Durable and protective coatings validated to defense standards such as MIL-PRF-13830B.

Materials for harsh environments

Germanium, chalcogenide, sapphire, fused silica, and low-cost alternatives selected for band and environment.

Prototyping and qualification support

Build, alignment, environmental test planning, and qualification evidence.

03Technical envelope

Optics across aerospace, defense, and unmanned systems.

Representative capability is shown with the context needed to qualify it. Program requirements control the final architecture and acceptance values.

Surveillance and reconnaissance

EO/IR imaging payloads for airborne, ground, and maritime observation.

Targeting and designation

Precision imaging and laser optics for targeting, ranging, and designation systems.

Unmanned and attritable platforms

Low-cost thermal and imaging optics for drones and expendable systems.

Avionics and space

Imaging, sensing, and display optics engineered for vibration, radiation, and thermal extremes.

REFERENCE ENVELOPE

Spectral bandsVisible / NIR / SWIR / LWIRBand-appropriate materials and coatings

EnvironmentVibration / shock / thermalDesigned and analyzed to the operating envelope

StandardsMIL-grade durabilityCoatings and testing to defense expectations

EligibilityUS-person engineeringSuitable for ITAR-sensitive programs

Capabilities indicate typical engagements. Program-specific requirements, classification, and export-control constraints are scoped case by case.

04What you receive

Engineering outputs your team can review, build, test, and maintain.

The exact package follows the program stage and scope. Assumptions, interfaces, decisions, and acceptance evidence remain visible.

Optical design package

Architecture, prescription, performance budgets, and tolerances for the mission and environment.

Ruggedization analysis

Athermalization, structural-thermal-optical, and mount design for the operating envelope.

Materials and coating specification

Band-appropriate materials and durable coatings validated to defense standards.

Environmental test plan

Vibration, shock, thermal, and durability test approach and acceptance criteria.

Prototype and qualification support

Build, alignment, test, and qualification evidence for the program.

05Controlled delivery

A local engineering interface from first review through release.

PAO leads the technical work, coordinates specialized fabrication and production resources under the project quality process, and keeps responsibility for requirements, interfaces, evidence, and issue closure clear.

01
Technical intake
Define the system boundary, decision to be made, current evidence, constraints, and confidentiality path.
02
Requirements and risk
Create measurable requirements, interface assumptions, performance budgets, and a ranked technical risk register.
03
Architecture and proof
Compare viable concepts and retire the highest-risk assumptions with analysis, breadboards, or targeted tests.
04
Detailed engineering
Develop controlled optical, mechanical, calibration, test, and supplier-ready documentation.
05
Build and verification
Support procurement, assembly, alignment, test correlation, root cause, and evidence-based iteration.
06
Release and transfer
Close acceptance criteria, configuration, supplier questions, manufacturing issues, and production handoff.

06Qualification questions

Questions engineering teams ask before engaging.

01Can you support ITAR-sensitive defense programs?

PAO is US-person optical engineering and can support export-controlled programs. Specific handling, classification, and contractual requirements are scoped per program.

02Do you design ruggedized infrared optics?

Yes. PAO designs EO/IR imaging and LWIR optics with athermalization, durable coatings, and materials selected for vibration, shock, and temperature extremes.

03Can you take a defense optical system from concept to qualification?

Yes. Engagements can run from architecture and ruggedization through prototype, environmental test planning, and qualification support.