Addressing the urgent need for long-distance dim target detection with a wide field-of-view and high sensitivity, this paper proposes a visible and short-infrared dual-band common-aperture optical system characterized by a broad field and extended focal length. To achieve system miniaturization and high-sensitivity target detection, the visible and infrared optical systems share a Ritchey-Chretien primary and secondary mirror. The primary optical path is segmented into visible light (0.45–0.75 µm) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) (2–3 µm) bands by a dichroic spectral splitter prism. The SWIR optical system utilizes four short-wave cooled infrared detectors, and wide-field stitching is achieved using a field-of-view divider. While ensuring the high cold-shield efficiency of cooled infrared detectors, this common-aperture optical system delivers visible and SWIR dual-band images with expansive fields, elongated focal lengths, and sizable apertures. The visible-light optical system has a focal length of 277 mm, a field-of-view of 2.3◦ × 2.3◦, and an entrance pupil diameter of 130 mm. Meanwhile, the SWIR optical system features a focal length of 480 mm, a field-of-view of 2.26◦ × 1.8◦ and an entrance pupil diameter of 160 mm. The design outcomes suggest that the imaging quality of the optical system approaches the diffraction limit. This visible/SWIR common-aperture optical system exhibits high sensitivity, a large field-of-view, compact structure, and excellent imaging quality, thereby meeting the requirements for long-distance dim target detection and imaging. © 2024 Optica Publishing Group.