family of sensors, L-3 is demonstrating its Video Scout video exploitation and management system at the Farnborough International Airshow (Outside Exhibit 14). o George DeCock and Hugo Zeler spoke at the Airborne ISR Conference organized by Defence IQ www.defenceiq.com
L-3 Wescam
MX-20 as ideal for high-altitude, long-range maritime patrol and persistent surveillance. “With a 20-inch HD turret you can classify and identify a vessel at over 35 miles” and read license plates at two miles,” he said. Seven years ago, L-3 bought Sonoma Design Group, a competitor to Wescam that had secured classified U.S. government contracts for bespoke, high-end FMV sensor turrets. Today, the Sonoma-developed 474HD and 494HD systems carry the Wescam branding. Thanks to long focal lengths and large apertures, they offer very high resolution at very long range in the visible, MWIR and SWIR wavebands. AIN has seen a remarkable SWIR image of the International Space Station taken by the 474HD at 200 miles range. The laser designator on this sensor has a range of more than 20 miles. It has flown on the highaltitude WB-57 research aircraft, which reaches 65,000 feet. The recent drive to provide wide-area surveillance means that the bigger turrets are being packed with nine or more cameras whose imagery can be stitched together in processing. The BAE Systems Argus and the Sierra Nevada Gorgon Stare are examples being introduced by the U.S. Air Force. Meanwhile, Wescam has a research-and-development contract from the U.S. Navy for another wide-area sensor that would be small enough for carriage by the Marine Corps’ RQ-7 Shadow UAV, thanks to an advanced staring focal plane array.
A still of video imagery (left) taken by the Mx-15HD turret shows the high definition now available. At right, infrared imagery from an Mx-15HD. IR resolution is not yet high definition, but it’s getting there.
Wherever they go, there you are.
TacPED System
Wescam has incorporated advances in image processing into a system called TacPED. Portions of the image can be enhanced for contrast and resolution. Visible and infrared images can be fused to improve interpretability. They can also be “blended,” with an image analyst able to select variable ratios of EO to IR content. Now that GPS/INS systems can be integrated with the sensors, images can be geo-located, and referenced to maps. With such a diverse customer base (see box), Wescam has set up a network of nine service centers and field representatives. Now it is also offering a remote diagnostic testing capability by way of a satellite link. Customers can connect their MX turrets by cable to a satellite modem so that Wescam technicians can log on to the fielded unit to perform maintenance checks. In addition to its Wescam
King Air. Hawker. Strategic Intelligence/Tactical Surveillance. Never, ever blink. It’s an operational command hard wired into every Hawker and King Air surveillance aircraft.
Adaptable, proven, responsive. Hawkers and Beechcraft King Airs can be fitted with electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, and real-time streaming video that feeds data to fixed or vehicle-mounted ground receivers. Offering extensive endurance, outstanding fuel efficiency, high dash speed, large pressurized cabins and the highest operating readiness in the air. The target may run. But you’ll never let them hide.
Mission Ready. HawkerBeechcraft.com
Copyright 2012 Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. All rights reserved. Hawker, Beechcraft, King Air, and Mission Ready are the registered trademarks of Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.
www.ainonline.com • July 9, 2012 • Farnborough Airshow News 35