Look at the data sheet, guys, this camera operates in the 7-14 micron IR band. Its not the near IR band that a simple cheapo silicon sensor can see, nor is it the 3-5 micron band that many FLIR systems use. The 7-14 band is longwave, that is, it senses objects that are just warm, dont have to be fire hot. The datasheet says its uncooled, that is industry parlance for no cryogenic cooler. It still has a peltier cooler to stabilize the sensor itself. The optic (single grystal germanium) can be the cost driver: a fast triplet lens can easily cost $15,000 by itself. So, no, it doesn't have a triplet, but it could very well be an f/0.8 or so to get good temperature difference detection. I think $13,000 for a tested, packaged for rough service unit is a good price, and I am a taxpayer.