US Navy acquires MX-20 EO/IR sensors for Poseidon

L3Harris Technologies announced on August 17 that the US Navy has selected the company’s electro-optical/infra-red (EO/IR) airborne systems for its P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, with deliveries set to be completed by the end of 2022.

In total, 19 WESCAM MX-20 sensor systems have been procured by the US Navy, which will provide multi-spectral imaging capabilities for the service’s Naval Air Systems Command P-8A fleet. The MX-20 sensors will support missions such as anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) and humanitarian response.

Poseidon
A P-8A Poseidon assigned to Patrol Squadron (VP) 16 is seen in flight over Jacksonville, Fla. US Navy/Personnel Specialist 1st Class Anthony Petry

Kristin Houston, president, Electro-Optic Sector, L3Harris said: “L3Harris continues investing in sensor advancement to modernise surveillance aircraft with a level of performance and reliability that has set industry standards, WESCAM MX maritime systems are backed by more than four decades of engineering excellence, and leverage the knowledge gained from years of mission feedback.”

L3Harris has provided more than 570 WESCAM MX-series systems to the US Navy over more than 20 years, including the WESCAM MX-8, MX-10, MX-15 and MX-20.