Military Embedded Systems

EO/IR system integrated onto unmanned MQ-9

News

March 06, 2020

Emma Helfrich

Technology Editor

Military Embedded Systems

Photo courtesy of GA-ASI.

SAN DIEGO, Calif. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and L3Harris Technologies completed the integration of the WESCAM MX-20 Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) system onto a GA-ASI MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) to provide an advanced targeting solution.

A series of test flights began on Feb. 18 to demonstrate the MX-20-equipped MQ-9's ability to locate and track targets at long stand-off ranges.

When integrated onto the MQ-9 Predator B series of RPAS, the WESCAM MX-20 EO/IR system is designed to support Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Precision Guided Munitions (PGM) missions.

According to the company, the system is field-proven through multiple deployments and is equipped with high-sensitivity multi-spectral sensors for day, low-light, and nighttime missions. The WESCAM MX-20 operates with detection and recognition capabilities from high altitudes.

 

 

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