Ukrainian manufacturer Odd Systems has demonstrated the operation of the Kurbas-640β thermal imaging camera, which can change imaging mode directly during a drone’s flight. The company published the corresponding video on Facebook.
The video shows a UAV fitted with the Kurbas-640β camera carrying out a test flight. The operator demonstrates the camera’s operating modes and switches between them without landing the drone.
Odd Systems developed the camera together with the military. The company created three basic operating modes:
- “Reconnaissance” — balanced rendering of terrain detail and thermal objects;
- “Hunting” — maximum visibility of thermal targets against the terrain background;
- “Observation” — a low-contrast mode that preserves detail in both the terrain and thermal objects.
Switching between modes is done via the control unit — the operator can change the image at the required moment without interrupting the mission.
In addition to the three main modes, the camera includes additional profiles for more specialised tasks: “Hunting — air”, “Hunting — ground”, “Navigation”, as well as a separate mode for extreme weather conditions.
Other Kurbas-640β capabilities include parameter control via the drone’s flight controller or a Raspberry Pi single-board computer, configuring custom imaging modes, shutter and zoom control, and Wi-Fi access for remote configuration during R&D. To protect against interference, the camera is fitted with an integrated voltage filter and shielded cables.
The camera’s sensor resolution is 640×512 pixels. The manufacturer offers lenses with a field of view from 8° to 103°, allowing optics to be selected for different mission types — from narrow zoom to wide-area terrain coverage.
Odd Systems co-founder Yaroslav Azhnyuk said in comments to the US outlet Defense Daily that, despite significant localisation of production in Ukraine, some components — for example, camera sensors — come from China. However, he added, the company has received strong interest from the United States and is considering building a semiconductor plant there capable of producing the required number of thermal sensors.
Odd Systems unveiled the Kurbas-640β camera in March 2026. It is a continuation of the flagship Kurbas-640 series.
Odd Systems is a Ukrainian defence-tech company founded in 2023 and headquartered in Kyiv. The company specialises in the development and manufacture of thermal imaging and daylight cameras for combat platforms, including UAVs, interceptor drones and ground robotic systems.
Among Odd Systems’ main products are the Kurbas-256, Kurbas-384 and Kurbas-640 thermal imaging cameras, and the Svitlych-662 digital daylight camera. The company also manufactures FPV platforms, including Lupynis-10 and Horska-12.
In 2025, Odd Systems announced a strategic partnership with Danish defence group Terma to jointly develop a low-cost AI-enabled drone interceptor.