Ukraine Builds Its Own Drone Eyes With New Low-Light “Svitlych-662” Camera

Ukrainian defense tech company Odd Systems has introduced its first domestically developed daytime tactical digital camera, the “Svitlych-662,” designed for use in drones and other systems relying on computer vision.

According to Militarnyi on April 29, the new camera delivers full-color Full HD resolution (1920×1080) and is built around a high-sensitivity sensor optimized for operation in low-light conditions. The outlet reports that the system is intended for mass deployment on the frontline and is already prepared for serial production.

“This is a mass digital camera for the front, adapted to military requirements, ready for serial production and deployment,” Odd Systems CEO Roman Medvediev said.

The camera is designed for integration across a range of platforms, from small unmanned aerial vehicles to ground-based robotic systems and stationary surveillance units.

It uses a MIPI CSI-2 interface, allowing direct connection to single-board computers and enabling low-latency data transmission—critical for real-time image processing and computer vision algorithms.

Additional technical details reported by Militarnyi indicate that the system supports up to 60 frames per second at 1080p and is compatible with platforms such as Raspberry Pi, Jetson, and Orange Pi. The interface also reduces motion blur and improves object tracking accuracy, which is essential for automated targeting and reconnaissance tasks.

The camera features a reinforced casing designed for field conditions, along with configurable options including different lenses, mounting systems, and cable types. The use of a coaxial connection helps ensure stable signal transmission with reduced interference.

Odd Systems stated that the “Svitlych-662” is part of a broader effort to develop domestically produced optical systems for the battlefield, alongside its line of thermal imaging cameras. The company describes these technologies as forming part of Ukraine’s push to build independent “eyes of the battlefield” capabilities.

The company is also considering establishing its own sensor manufacturing in Ukraine to reduce reliance on foreign components. At the same time, co-founder Yaroslav Azhniuk noted growing interest from the US market, with the possibility of building a similar production facility in the United States under consideration.

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The camera is named after Ivan Svitlychny, a Ukrainian literary scholar and dissident repressed during the Soviet era, reflecting a broader trend of linking modern defense technologies with national historical figures.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense tested new FPV strike drones capable of hitting targets up to 25 km away under electronic warfare conditions. Effective systems are subsequently moved into frontline deployment.

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