NEW YORK, 16 Sept. 2007.L-3 Communications' WESCAM (L-3 WESCAM) subsidiary has been selected by Eurocopter Deutschland (ECD) to provide 12 MX-15i electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) imaging sensors to the French Gendarmerie. System deliveries are scheduled to begin in December 2007, and will continue into 2009.
The L-3 MX-15i will provide the French Gendarmerie with immediate situational awareness capability from their new fleet of EC135 aircraft.
Each system will include long-range infrared and electro-optic payloads. The units will also contain the MX-GEO Gen. 3 suite. The suite's combination of GEO-Location, Pointing, Focus and Tracking technology will support operators in determining accurate subject geographical location, and will reduce operator workload by automatically focusing the image and providing assistance in tracking objects.
ECD has been chosen to replace the single-engine Ecureuil B, BA, and BI platforms that have been in operation since 1980, with the EC135 aircraft, which will support law enforcement surveillance and identification missions throughout France -- including crowd control, criminal investigation activity, security of military and airport facilities, and surveillance of ceremonies involving foreign dignitaries.
The MX-15i is a member of L-3's MX-Series of imaging turrets. The series, which includes the MX-20, MX-15D, and MX-15, is a family of sensor systems, spanning a range of size, weight, and performance parameters, and uses common components and common interior electronics, simplifying interchangeability and creating efficiencies in support, technology growth, and reducing life cycle cost.
