L3 Technologies to supply EO/IR imaging systems for Airbus Helicopter’s H225M

Airbus Helicopters selected L3 Technologies’s WESCAM division to provide 37 MX-15 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems to be installed in France on multiple fleets of H225M Caracal helicopters, which will be delivered to two foreign governments for military deployment.

Michael T. Strianese, L3 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said: “This order expands L3’s international business base while creating a new market opportunity for our leading WESCAM products.”

The MX-15 can be configured with up to six imaging and lasing payloads, all with the highest level of stabilisation. Sensor options include high-definition thermal imager, colour low-light continuous zoom, daylight step zoom spotter, day/night spotter, laser rangefinder and a laser illuminator.

“L3 WESCAM is proud to have been chosen to supply its MX-15 systems, as it highlights our role as a trusted global supplier of advanced imaging technologies to the OEM marketplace,” said Mike Greenley, President of L3 WESCAM. “Additionally, it confirms that the highly specialised optics and leading technologies in L3’s systems continue to meet the needs of emerging mission portfolios, ranging from combative military to time-sensitive response and recovery operations.”

L3 WESCAM provides advanced EO/IR imaging and targeting systems (MX-Series) as well as modular system solution kits (MatriX) to all segments of the airborne, land and maritime markets. MX-Series turrets are operational across 74 countries and on more than 137 different types of platforms. More than 14 globally deployed authorised service centres and a team of field service technicians, available for dispatch 24/7 to anywhere in the world, provide continued support. L3 WESCAM is a unit of L3’s Sensor Systems business segment.

The first 19 units to be delivered will support a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation and assistance, and disaster relief. The second batch will provide mission operators with a highly detailed, multispectral view of combat search and rescue, naval operations, medical evacuation and military transportation efforts. The MX-15 can be found on additional models of Airbus helicopters, including the H125 and UH-72A.

Dr. Alix Valenti