Achieving Air Dominance by Advancing Imaging & Designating EO/IR Capabilities

[This article has been updated, original publish date: April 18, 2024]

L3Harris has an airborne portfolio of EO/IR sensors systems that are deployed worldwide, at varying ranges, and with overlapping fields-of-view, creating the opportunity for uninterrupted surveillance of borders, forward operating bases, airfields and other vital infrastructure. These systems are found on more than 260 different types of platforms, including fixed-wing, rotary-wing, UAV and aerostat platforms.

L3Harris continually invests in developing new products and features to improve performance and reliability across its line-up of WESCAM MX™-Series EO/IR sensor systems. This includes the new WESCAM MX™-8D, a compact, digital multi-sensor, multi-axis stabilized system with a high-precision laser target designator, real-time image enhancement, high-performance haze penetrator and an advanced automatic video tracker.

The WESCAM MX-8D is ideal for manned or unmanned airborne platforms that require the combination of advanced imaging in a low-weight installation package. Like all other WESCAM MX-Series products, the MX-8D offers exceptional reliability and ease of use, but in a more compact, lightweight form factor.

L3Harris also continues to the development of medium to large diameter EO/IR systems that will be released over the coming year to improve reliability and range performance. These systems include the WESCAM MX™-10, WESCAM MX™-15 and WESCAM MX™-20 systems that provide ISR for medium, high and ultra-high altitude missions. Each class size can also be equipped with designation capabilities.

The WESCAM MX™-25D system provides a unique set of capabilities as a next-generation system. Through robust research and development the MX-25D has evolved into the ultimate sighting solution. Recent field tests confirmed it provides increased aircrew safety with higher resolutions and a farther infrared and laser range with improved accuracy. Another major upgrade is the improved daylight sight due to advancements in short wave infrared functionality. Overall, evolutions of the WESCAM MX-25D have led to considerable weight reductions along with new multi-target tracking features.

Additionally, L3Harris is preparing to launch improvements of its automatic video tracking technology. The developments will allow a WESCAM MX-Series system to track two or more targets simultaneously and identify moving targets, giving operators greater situational awareness and reducing operator workload in identifying potential threats.

Designation Capabilities

WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR systems have some of them the longest EO/IR target identification and designating ranges in the industry. L3Harris will soon be introducing new laser designators and laser range finders that work at longer stand-off distances from the target. A key differentiator, this allows operators to see first and act first. The sooner a target is identified, the sooner decisions can be made, especially on missions when each second is critical to success.

L3Harris’ designating systems are supported by high-sensitivity multi-spectral sensors designed for degraded visual environments encountered during day, low-light and night-time missions. They also include precise geo-pointing technologies for hands-free simplicity regardless of aircraft or environmental obstructions.

WESCAM MX-Series Customer Care Ecosystem

L3Harris continues to invest heavily customer care, in-service support solutions and product development. Certified to AS9100 and ISO9001 standards, L3Harris’ practices and products have achieved a standard of quality that is recognized and respected globally.

It’s a network designed to increase operational availability and minimize repair turn-around time, reduce total cost of ownership and minimize administrative delays.

Discover the Difference

Because today’s mission requirements demand identification and designation from longer standoff ranges, WESCAM MX-Series products have been engineered to focus on the three factors that drive Maximum Range: resolution, magnification and stabilization. As a result, each WESCAM MX-Series system has outperformed its major competitor in every performance area, giving the series the longest EO/IR target identification and designating ranges in the industry.

The capability is here. Now is the time to invest in visual technologies that dominate enemy operations.

Related Capabilities

WESCAM MX™-Series

L3Harris’ series of multi-sensor, multi-spectral, electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) surveillance and targeting systems support intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and target acquisition missions across the air, land and sea.