WESCAM X-15

The WESCAM MX-15 series is a platform family offering multi-sensor, multi-mission imaging solutions equipped with advanced electro-optical (EO) and infrared (IR) sensor systems. These systems are widely preferred for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in maritime, aviation, and unmanned systems domains, and can operate integrated with both manned and unmanned platforms.

Mission Areas and Platforms

WESCAM MX-15 systems have been developed for a wide range of missions including reconnaissance, search and rescue (SAR), intelligence gathering, threat detection, friend-or-foe identification, and navigation under night and low-visibility conditions. Platforms compatible with the system include:

• Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
• Fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft
• Air balloons (aerostats)
• Ships and marine platforms
• Ground vehicles
• Coastal and fixed-base stations

Multi-Sensor Imaging and Laser Capabilities

The WESCAM MX-15 series supports the simultaneous use of six to seven sensors, including:

• HD thermal camera (MWIR, cooled)
• HD daylight camera (1920x1080 resolution)
• High-sensitivity camera for low-light conditions
• HD short-wave infrared (SWIR) camera
• Wide and narrow field-of-view laser illuminator
• Eye-safe laser rangefinder
• HD spotter cameras
• Real-time image processing technologies

These features enable continuous day-and-night imaging and precise detection of distant targets through high zoom capabilities.

Advanced Image Processing Technologies

The WESCAM MX-15 system is equipped with embedded graphics processing units (GPUs) delivering high computational power for imaging tasks. This infrastructure enables the following functions:

• Real-time image enhancement
• Haze penetration
• Advanced target recognition and identification
• 2x and 4x digital zoom (Ezoom)
• Image fusion (EO and IR)
• Pseudo-color IR
• Moving target indication (MTI)
• Automatic target tracking (AVT)

These functions are successfully implemented.

Stabilization and Integration

The systems are equipped with a four-axis active stabilization turret structure, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) is directly mounted on the optical platform to ensure high-precision target positioning. Integration features for easy deployment on air or marine platforms include:

• Passive vibration isolation
• Automatic INS alignment
• GPS receiver
• Integrated video processing unit
• Wide range of video and data ports (HD-SDI, analog, RS-232/422, Ethernet, MIL-STD-1553B, ARINC 429)
• Calibration-free modular replacement (LRU swap out)

These features simplify system integration.

Environmental Durability and Certification

The WESCAM MX-15 system is designed to withstand harsh environmental conditions including salt, fog, and water exposure in maritime environments, as well as high altitude and extreme temperature variations in aviation applications. It complies with military environmental standards such as MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-461F, as well as civil aviation standards including RTCA/DO-160. All systems undergo rigorous environmental stress testing.