L3 Harris MX series camera systems for every application

Nearly 4,000 Harris observation and targeting systems operated by 120 users in all climatic conditions –- from desert and hot war zones in Afghanistan and Iraq to freezing and sea patrols in the Alaska region put MX turrets at the forefront of such devices in the world.

THE PRECISE OBSERVATION FROM LAND, SEA AND AIR

MX camera systems are multi-sensor and multi-spectral imaging systems, ideal for low-altitude tactical missions and SAR (Serach and Rescue) missions that require easy and flexible installation. The MX series of optoelectronic turrets includes aviation systems such as MX8 with a weight of 6.8 kg, MX10 with a weight of 16.8 kg, Mx15 with a weight of 51.4 kg, MX20 with a weight of 105 kg and MX25 with a weight of 125 kg, ground-based systems such as MX-GCS and MX-RSTA and the MX-10MS system for marine applications. The size and weight range allows to choose the right ssytem, according to specific needs. So far, MX turrets have been used on 50 types of aircraft - from small light aircraft to large transporters, including, among others, they were mounted on such aircraft as C-130 Hercules, C-295M, P-8, V-22, Cessna 206 and 208 and

Pilatus PC-12. MX systems have also found applications on 44 types of helicopters, including: Black Hawk, Apache, the entire family of Bell, Eurocopter, Agusta helicopters, as well as Mi-8 and Mi-17. They are also used on 18 types of unmanned aerial vehicles, including: Shaddow, Shiebel, Skeldar, MQ-9 Reaper, Bayraktar TB2 and of course Pegaz-19, on 6 types of balloons, 10 types of armored vehicles and 5 types of warships. Recently, the R66 police helicopter in Florida was equipped with the MX-10 observation system, which we write about on the page 14.

The most important MX turret features

Blending – i.e. mixing images from different sensors, e.g. visible light and infrared, at the same time. It is one of the many optimization tools the turret has. It takes place automatically after selecting the observation mode and allows to see what is not visible at all or is very poorly visible with the use of individual sensors, e.g. observation of a building with glazed surfaces, air convection over hot surfaces.

Designator – the laser target pointer which allows target marking with laser, and thus the so-called coupling of laser guided weapon to the selected target. The weapon may be launched from the aircraft on which the warhead is installed or from another aircraft. This feature of the MX turrets allows them to be widely used in the modernization of older types of helicopters and aircraft, eliminating the need to equip them with targeting systems dedicated only to guiding the effectors. By using the MX turret marked with 'D' designation, we obtain both observation and sighting possibilities.

Laser illuminator – the laser illuminator is an interesting device that allows the operator to observe on the display the target (or object) in the dark, and for other participants of the action in night vision goggles, working in the so-called near infrared. The illuminated object observed in infrared is seen as illuminated by a reflector, while without night vision devices it is invisible.

For example, a wanted person, hiding in the dark in the bushes, is visible through night vision devices, and he himself does not notice that he is illuminated. The memory of selected objects allows for automatic directing of the head sensors to the point selected by the operator. This is a very convenient option for the operator during an observation mission with predetermined objects. It significantly reduces the time of searching for points of interest, allowing to focus on the objects of the highest priority.

The tasks of MX camera operator

The main tasks of the operator include searching for objects specified in the task of a given mission and their observation, as well as optimization of the image collected by the turret sensors using system tools in order to obtain the best possible parameters and the most accurate information about the object.

The quality of the sensor seen by the user

Talking about the quality of the sensors, we provide two examples confirming their wide possibilities and operation:

“We flew a Cessna 208 on a training flight over the city of Loveland, Colorado just after sunset with a slight haze when we caught some smoke rising above the forest in the mountains. We decided to check if it was a fire.

After pointing the turret in that direction (the MX15 turret was installed on the airplane), we easily recognized single fires, probably lit by forest workers, and not a surface fire typical of a burning forest. The indicated distance was 50 miles, (about 80 km) ” – said Adam Bagiński, Product Manager in the Avionics Department, in an interview with us.

“While observing Lake Ontario with the MX8 turret from L3 training center in Burlington, it was possible to spot the outline of the Niagara Falls Observation Tower. In this case, the weather was very good, the air was clear, and the image was optimized with all available system tools and, of course, with the "blending" function. The distance across the bay was about 70 km ”- ”- continued Adam Bagiński

The long list of MX turrets applications and their wide possibilities proves their potential in the modernization of other types of aircraft. There are comprehensive solutions available, such as a package containing a turret with an operator's position and attached weapon hardpoints, for which the turret is also a sight.

Such a solution was implemented on the Black Hawk helicopter, but it should be treated as an example and possible to use on other types of helicopters, taking into account their specificity and the requirements of the future user.

Modernization works can be performed in Polish plants, and our company, as a representative L3 Harris manufacturer of turrets) in Poland, can provide support in the design and delivery of assembly instructions.