Airbus Helicopters installs L3 WESCAM MX-15 electro-optical and infrared system in H225M multirole rotory-wing aircraft

July 21, 2017
BURLINGTON, Ontario. L3 WESCAM, part of L3 Technologies’ (NYSE:LLL) Sensor Systems business unit, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada won an order from Airbus Helicopters to provide 37 of the company’s MX-15 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems for installation on multiple fleets of H225M Caracal helicopters. The systems will be installed in France before being delivered to two foreign governments for military deployment, officials say.

BURLINGTON, Ontario. L3 WESCAM, part of L3 Technologies’ (NYSE:LLL) Sensor Systems business unit, in Burlington, Ontario, Canada won an order from Airbus Helicopters to provide 37 of the company’s MX-15 electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) imaging systems for installation on multiple fleets of H225M Caracal helicopters. The systems will be installed in France before being delivered to two foreign governments for military deployment, officials say.

The first delivery of 19 units will support a variety of missions, including search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation and assistance, and disaster relief. The second delivery will provide a detailed, multispectral view of combat search and rescue, naval operations, medical evacuation, and military transportation efforts to mission operators.

L3’s MX-15 can be configured with up to six imaging and lasing payloads, including stabilization and such sensor options as: a high-definition (HD) thermal imager, color low-light continuous zoom, daylight step zoom spotter, day/night spotter, laser rangefinder, and a laser illuminator.

L3’s MX-15 is used on additional models of Airbus helicopters, including the H125 and UH-72A.

“L3 WESCAM is proud to have been chosen to supply its MX-15 systems, as it highlights our role as a trusted global supplier of advanced imaging technologies to the OEM marketplace,” says L3 WESCAM President Mike Greenley. “Additionally, it confirms that the highly specialized optics and leading technologies in L3’s systems continue to meet the needs of emerging mission portfolios, ranging from combative military to time-sensitive response and recovery operations.”

L3 WESCAM serves all segments of the airborne, land, and maritime markets with EO/IR imaging and targeting systems (MX-Series) and modular system solution kits (MatriX). MX-Series turrets are operational across 74 countries and on more than 137 different types of platforms, and are supported by more than 14 globally deployed authorized service centers and a team of field service technicians who are available for dispatch 24/7 to anywhere in the world. L3 WESCAM is a unit of L3’s Sensor Systems business segment.

Headquartered in New York City, L3 Technologies employs approximately 38,000 people worldwide and is a leading provider of a broad range of communication, electronic and sensor systems used on military, homeland security and commercial platforms. L3 is also a prime contractor in aerospace systems, security and detection systems, and pilot training. The company reported 2016 sales of $10.5 billion.

The H225M is relied upon by France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand to support their most demanding missions. As the latest member of Airbus Helicopters' military Super Puma/Cougar family, this 11-metric-ton helicopter, previously named the EC725, is ready for multiple missions.

Designed for the most demanding missions, the Airbus Helicopter H225M’s reliability and durability have been demonstrated in combat conditions and crisis areas that include Lebanon, Afghanistan, Chad, Ivory Coast, Central African Republic, Somalia and Mali, while also supporting NATO-led operations in Libya. The H225M is relied upon by France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand to support their most demanding missions.

As the latest member of Airbus Helicopters’ military Super Puma/Cougar family, this 11-metric-ton helicopter, previously named the EC725, is ready for multiple missions.

As a true multirole platform, the H225M enables military forces to deploy wherever and whenever needed. Operating both from ships and from land, even in icing conditions, this helicopter has an all-weather capability supported by state-of-the-art night vision goggle compatibility.

The helicopter’s 700 nautical mile range is extended with air-to-air refueling, which can be performed while in forward flight and during hover. Powered by two latest-generation engines, the H225M’s five-blade rotor provides an exceptionally low vibration level, and the modular design of rotor mechanical assemblies allows for easier maintenance, officials say.

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