Drones are becoming more advanced by the day, and a major new release from Teledyne FLIR OEM is set to take their capabilities to the next level. The company, headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, just unveiled radiometric thermal cameras.
Called the Boson+ and Hadron 640R+, these are improved versions of its Boson and Hadron 640R thermal camera modules. With that, comes game-changing sensors that don’t just detect heat, but measure exact temperatures at every pixel in real-time.
This breakthrough is a major leap forward for industries that rely on drones, including infrastructure inspection, search and rescue, precision agriculture, and defense. By providing highly accurate thermal data in a compact, drone-ready package, these cameras expand the possibilities of what drones can do—and where they can go next. It’s also key for drone makers seeking cameras who want to buy American.
What are radiometric thermal cameras?
Standard thermal cameras simply display heat variations as images, showing hot and cold spots but without specific temperature readings. Radiometric thermal cameras take this a step further. That’s because they can measure and record precise temperature data at every single pixel in the scene.
This means that rather than just seeing a general heat signature, drones equipped with radiometric thermal sensors can accomplish tasks like:
- Detecting overheating electrical components in power grids before failures occur.
- Monitoring crop health in precision agriculture, identifying temperature-related stress in plants.
- Supporting search and rescue missions by detecting and tracking missing persons based on their body heat.
- Enhancing defense and security applications by allowing AI-powered drones to track and classify objects based on thermal signatures.
With this level of detail, drones don’t just “see” heat. These smart radiometric thermal cameras can analyze it, record it and make real-time decisions based on the data.
Radiometric thermal cameras are a perfect match for drone applications
Teledyne FLIR designed these new camera modules specifically for use on drones and unmanned systems. The Hadron 640R+, for example, weighs just 56 grams (about the weight of a large egg) yet delivers high-resolution thermal imaging with radiometric data. This lightweight design extends drone flight times, while the IP54-rated dust and water resistance makes it durable enough for outdoor missions.
The Hadron is a key product for FLIR, and it has continuously undergone upgrades. For example, in June 2024, the Hadron 640 series got an upgrade to become the Hadron 640+, by way of a thermal camera.
Meanwhile, the Boson+ series includes multiple resolution options (640×512 and 320×256 pixels) and lens configurations, offering flexibility for different drone platforms.
Both camera modules integrate with Teledyne FLIR’s Prism AI, a powerful software system that enables automated object detection, tracking, and classification. This means drones can not only capture thermal data but also use AI to analyze it in real time. That’s a major advantage for autonomous operations.
FLIR’s drone product launches mean big things for the U.S. drone industry
Teledyne FLIR’s Oregon-based operations make this release particularly significant at a time when the U.S. drone industry is looking for reliable, American-made technology. With ongoing discussions about potential bans on Chinese-made drones (and tariffs on Chinese products as a whole), many companies are actively seeking NDAA-compliant, ITAR-free alternatives that ensure long-term supply chain stability.
Its client list includes notable military drone maker Teal, which is based in Utah. FLIR’s thermal products are used in Teal drones including the Teal 2 and the Teal Golden Eagle.
By producing high-performance thermal imaging solutions domestically, Teledyne FLIR offers a future-proof option for drone manufacturers, government agencies and commercial industries. Companies that prefer U.S.-made tech have access to cutting-edge imaging technology without the risks associated with foreign supply chains.
Radiometric thermal imaging: the future of enterprise drones
With the Boson+ and Hadron 640R+ radiometric camera modules now available globally, Teledyne FLIR is pushing the boundaries of what drones can achieve. From precision inspections to AI-powered surveillance, these advanced thermal sensors are turning drones into highly intelligent, data-driven tools that provide more than just images but also actionable insights.
For the industries that depend on drones, this marks a major step forward — one that ensures more accurate, efficient and effective operations across the board.
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