L3Harris Technologies Inc.

10/10/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/10/2024 06:12

Next-Generation EO/IR Uncrewed and Autonomous Vehicle Integration

L3Harris engineers are committed to finding and implementing innovative solutions for our customers. Our next-generation line-up of WESCAM MX™-Series electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor systems are equipping teams across the world with high-performance imaging tools, integrated on emerging autonomous platforms and enhancing their visual acuity, leading to mission success.

Proactive readiness for future military AI capabilities requires electro-optical technology to advance at a rapid rate, implementing powerful new integrations on autonomous and AI-fueled platforms. Global dominance across air, land and sea will actualize through AI-powered fighting systems. L3Harris' development of new EO/IR capabilities is an integral piece of an autonomous and uncrewed future, applicable for ISR overmatch but also to combat new intelligent vehicles with informed decision-making capabilities on the battlefield.

As the leader of uncrewed and autonomous systems, L3Harris is transforming future missions with wide array of autonomous vehicle capabilities across domains, redefining operational capability by enabling higher-risk missions and expanding operational reach. Ultimately, this allows future fighting forces to blend human-machine teams with new artificial intelligence and machine learning advancements to better integrate beyond single pieces of technology, and instead across comprehensive systems.

Driving Autonomous Progress with Advanced EO/IR

Field and combat-proven, L3Harris' hyper-advanced WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR multi-spectral imaging systems have allowed autonomous systems to provide critical situational awareness and threat engagement for operators during high-risk missions.

As the battlefield continues to evolve, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting acquisition missions demand state-of-the-art image processing, stabilization and accuracy to ensure teams can identify and verify their targets at any range and counter any moves of the enemy.

Designed and engineered to meet the highest and strictest standards, the WESCAM MX-Series has proven to be the next-generation mission solution for global forces. These modular systems provide critical capabilities such as accurate identification and designation at longer standoff ranges complete with high-definition resolution, magnification and stabilization. They are often part of a larger network of intelligence-gathering systems, providing operators and commanders with enhanced situational awareness across all domains.

Platform-agnostic and customizable to fit exact mission parameters, they are designed to detect, project and protect, allowing combat forces to see objectives early, project information to operators at all levels, and contribute to the safety of the greater team. L3Harris has a long history of developing sensors and remote sensing applications that provide critical data to customers worldwide. AI/ML-driven analytics help convert the sensor data to higher-level information, such as detections, and then to sense-making products that provide more meaningful representations of the data for exploitation by the warfighter.

Increasing Standoff Range with Advanced Stabilization

L3Harris continues to develop advanced designs and engineering solutions that result in uncompromised line-of-sight stabilization. Each system features a proven stabilization architecture that significantly reduces line-of-sight jitter by employing a combination of passive damping and active motion cancellation on a vibration-isolated payload for on-the-move engagements. For autonomous vehicles conducting reconnaissance or target acquisition, or those engaged in combat, this is a critical mission-need. Even at extended standoff ranges, targets remain in sight throughout engagement. The advanced stabilization applies to the entire payload so that every internal device and function benefits from the same level of jitter suppression. This results in a smooth and stable high-definition image, maximizing target identification ranges.

Advanced Software Design

The WESCAM MX-Series also features a tenacious auto-tracker designed and tuned by our software engineering team. The video tracker uses motion-based algorithms, tailored for real-time autonomous vehicle applications. These advanced tracking algorithms greatly simplify the target acquisition process. The system can automatically annotate multiple targets closest to the center of the line-of-sight based on their movement and allow the operator to cycle through them. This, coupled with the robust tracking through degraded visual environments, enables operators to track targets effectively in challenging terrain and urban environments.

Tested for Extreme Environments

WESCAM MX-Series technology is MIL-STD environmentally qualified for use across all land, air and maritime domains, delivering the ultimate reliability. Dry or hot environments are countered with an active external cooling system to maintain high-performance, while larger desiccant packs are employed to handle humid conditions. An active external cooling system and larger desiccant packs are built-in features to address hot and humid environments. All systems undergo strict testing, ensuring they can withstand and overcome rigorous environmental challenges. Additional field-testing confirms real-world applications and capabilities.

The new battlefield demands autonomous and uncrewed technology that meets the needs of operational forces today and tomorrow. Ultimately, L3Harris' designating systems enable teams to dominate the battlefield 24/7, with greater precision than ever before. Field proven, with extensive deployment, WESCAM MX™-Series designating systems offer "plug-and-play" installation, as well as high-sensitivity multi-spectral sensors for day, low-light and night-time missions. In addition, our systems encourage ease and familiarity of use, simplified turret interchangeability across platforms, efficiencies in technology enhancements and overall system support.

Discover the capabilities of WESCAM MX-Series EO/IR imaging systems, enabling future fleets of autonomous vehicles, vessels and aircraft.