ACSL and Teledyne FLIR Forge Alliance to Elevate Thermal Drone Technology
Teledyne FLIR OEM, a division of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated and a global powerhouse in thermal imaging innovation, has joined forces with ACSL, Japan’s foremost drone manufacturer, in a partnership set to redefine aerial imaging capabilities. The alliance kicks off with the integration of Teledyne FLIR’s cutting-edge thermal technology into ACSL’s latest payload offering, the SAMO, purpose-built for the company’s NDAA-compliant SOTEN drone.
This collaboration falls under the Thermal by FLIR programme, an initiative aimed at supporting original equipment manufacturers in integrating advanced thermal camera modules, while offering the marketing clout needed to bring these solutions to market. By combining ACSL’s proven drone expertise with FLIR’s renowned thermal imaging technology, the partnership is positioned to deliver secure, high-performance solutions for public safety, inspection, and industrial applications.
Dual Vision for Maximum Insight
At the heart of this partnership is ACSL’s SAMO thermal payload, built around Teledyne FLIR’s Hadron™ 640R dual thermal-visible camera module. This compact powerhouse merges a 64MP visible camera with the 640×512 Boson® radiometric thermal camera, offering operators unprecedented image clarity. In addition, the SAMO integrates FLIR’s patented MSX® Multi-Spectral Dynamic Imaging technology, which overlays visible imagery onto thermal output in real time. The result is detail-rich, actionable intelligence for mission-critical operations.
Cynthia Huang, CEO of ACSL Inc., underscored the strategic nature of the collaboration: “Collaborating with Teledyne FLIR OEM is a natural and significant step for ACSL. As the U.S. drone landscape evolves, our commitment remains focused on delivering field-ready UAS solutions. The SAMO payload brings advanced, proven imaging capabilities to drone operators nationwide. Paired with our new TAITEN smart controller and upgraded SOTEN platform, operators will be empowered to work smarter, faster, and with greater confidence.”
Security, Compliance, and Capability
ACSL’s SOTEN drone, designed and manufactured entirely in Japan, is purpose-built for demanding roles in public safety, disaster response, inspection, and surveying. It stands out for its robust NDAA-compliant design, meeting rigorous security and performance standards, including ISO15408 certification. Key features include:
- Foldable design for rapid deployment
- IP43-rated weather resistance
- 25-minute flight time
- One-touch swappable payload system
Lightweight, intuitive, and mission-ready, the SOTEN is engineered for operational resilience. Its secure architecture addresses growing concerns about drone security, particularly in sensitive government and industrial applications.
Mike Walters, Vice President of Product Development at Teledyne FLIR OEM, commented: “With growing concerns around drone security, ACSL offers a robust NDAA-compliant solution with versatile payload options tailored to mission needs. ACSL’s rapid innovation is impressive, and we’re excited to continue working together to deliver secure, high-performance drone solutions to the U.S. public safety and industrial markets.”
Why NDAA Compliance Matters
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) sets strict criteria for components used in U.S. government-related technology to prevent security vulnerabilities. By ensuring NDAA compliance, ACSL’s drones can be used in critical operations without the risk of hardware or software backdoors that could compromise data or operational integrity. This has become a decisive factor for public safety agencies, infrastructure operators, and industries working with sensitive data.
The SOTEN’s NDAA-compliant build, combined with its robust payload versatility, positions it as a prime choice for agencies looking to replace legacy fleets with modern, secure systems.
Expanding UAS Applications Across Industries
The partnership’s impact extends beyond public safety. The enhanced imaging capabilities of the SOTEN and SAMO combination make it equally valuable in:
- Infrastructure inspection – detecting structural weaknesses before they escalate
- Energy sector monitoring – assessing solar farms, wind turbines, and power lines
- Agriculture – monitoring crop health and irrigation efficiency
- Environmental surveying – tracking wildlife and habitat changes
Thermal imaging, particularly when enhanced by FLIR’s MSX technology, provides vital data in challenging environments where visible light alone falls short.
Thermal by FLIR
The Thermal by FLIR programme plays a pivotal role in helping OEMs integrate thermal imaging into their products without compromising quality or performance. It offers:
- Access to advanced thermal camera modules
- Technical integration support
- Joint marketing opportunities
This collaboration model accelerates time-to-market for innovative products while ensuring that they meet the exacting standards of industries relying on them.
Showcasing at the Commercial UAV Expo
Professionals will have the chance to see the SOTEN drone and SAMO payload in action at the Commercial UAV Expo in Las Vegas, from 2–4 September 2025, at ACSL’s booth #917. This event will serve as a prime platform for demonstrating the real-world capabilities of this new integrated system, offering a glimpse into the future of secure aerial operations.
Elevating Drone Standards
By combining FLIR’s thermal imaging expertise with ACSL’s innovative drone engineering, this partnership sets a new benchmark for aerial data capture. It’s a strategic move that addresses current market demands for security, compliance, and high-performance imaging, while also paving the way for expanded use cases in both governmental and industrial sectors.
As industries increasingly lean on unmanned aerial systems for critical data collection, collaborations like this are shaping the future—ensuring that performance and security go hand in hand.
