L3Harris Wescam to perform IRES FLIR upgrade
USSOCOM helicopters are receiving an upgrade to their forward-looking IR systems. (Photo: US Army/Sgt Dennis Glass)
USSOCOM is mitigating obsolescence and enhancing forward-looking IR on its helicopters.
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is progressing with its Improved Rotary-wing Electro-optical/Infra-red Sensor (IRES) modernisation programme by picking L3Harris Wescam to upgrade forward-looking IR (FLIR) systems on helicopters.
A maximum $96 million IDIQ contract, announced by the DoD on 21 May,
Also known as Next Generation FLIR, IRIS is a lightweight turreted device that will mitigate obsolescence issues and enhance the FLIR technology installed on MH-47, MH-60, AH-6 and MH-6 helicopters.
Both assault and attack turreted systems will include multi-spectrum IR, day TV, laser spot tracker, laser rangefinder and laser illuminator with the ability to fuse camera images. The attack turrets will also include a laser designator for targeting capabilities.
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