Canadian EO/IR market continues to grow
In support of critical surveillance missions operating internationally, L3 WESCAM has received orders over the past year for Canadian customers include contracts from Transport Canada, the Royal Canadian Air Force, PAL Aerospace, and numerous policing agencies.
A range of the company’s electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) product capabilities was showcased at CANSEC 2017, Canada’s Global Defence and Security Trade Show, 31 May to 1 June, in Ottawa, Ontario.
“For more than four decades, L3 WESCAM’s EO/IR technology has provided the vital, real-time imaging intelligence that customers require for the detection, deterrence and control of illegal or hostile activity from both tactical and long-range standoff ranges,” Mike Greenley, President of L3 WESCAM, said. “Our technologies continue to transition air, land and maritime platforms into modernised variants with extraordinary visual capability, making them ideal for evolving mission portfolios across all segments of the defence and security marketplace.”
“Through robust Canadian R&D investment, L3 WESCAM remains well-positioned to further develop innovative imaging technologies and fully integrated system solutions for advanced air, land and maritime programmes,” Jeff Miller, President of L3’s Sensor Systems business segment, continued. “We are honored to work with hundreds of first-class Canadian partners and vendors in developing the critical EO/IR imaging technologies that are mission-proven and trusted on a global scale.”
Earlier this year, Canada’s PAL Aerospace awarded L3 WESCAM a first-time contract to supply its MX-15 airborne sensor for the Bombardier DHC-8 multi-role surveillance aircraft. ISR missions for the platform will include maritime surveillance, fisheries patrol, environmental protection, search and rescue (SAR), and overland surveillance. The MX-15 system will be configured with leading sensor technologies, including a high-definition (HD) thermal imager, an HD color low-light imager, a dual-channel spotter and a wide-angle laser illuminator. The powerful imaging capabilities of L3 WESCAM’s airborne systems provide a fast, powerful means to perform missions under various lighting conditions, in addition to haze, fog and other visual deterrents found in the Canadian domain.
For many years, L3 WESCAM’s systems have been the EO/IR turret of choice by many Canadian Police agencies, including the York Regional Police and the Calgary Police Service. In 2017, the Ottawa Police Service purchased an MX-10 for its Cessna 206 aircraft, as did the Winnipeg Police Service for its EC120 helicopter and the Edmonton Police Service for its AS350.
L3 WESCAM’s technologies support a vast portfolio of Canadian missions, including anti-surface warfare; maritime and overland intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; and SAR. Additionally, L3 WESCAM provides vital support to other government agencies in combating illegal immigration, fishing, polluting and drug trafficking, as well as assisting with disaster relief missions. Key Canadian platforms fitted with L3 WESCAM’s EO/IR imaging systems include the CP-140 AURORA, CH-146 GRIFFON for the Ingress programme, CH-147 CHINOOK for the Medium-Heavy Lift Helicopter (MHLH) programme, DASH 8 for Transport Canada, and Canadian-class HALIFAX ships for a portfolio of maritime activities.