Wescam L - 3 Wescam is a Canadian company specializing in the production of gyro - stabilized , EO - IR imaging systems . Wescam Inc . is a subsidiary of L - 3 Communications Holdings , Inc . The name has become synonymous with cameras of the type although several organizations around the world manufacture similar systems . L - 3 Wescam is based in Burlington , Ontario Canada History . In 1959 the Military Division of Westinghouse Canada developed a stabilized camera mount for the Canadian Defense Research Establishment . The product was named WESSCAM - Westinghouse Steered Stabilized Camera Mount . In 1974 WESCAM Inventor , Nox Leavitt , purchased the lab equipment and patents from Westinghouse and founded Istec Limited , Isolation Stabilization Technologies . The company had 17 employees and generated approximately $ 1 million in revenue . It experienced substantial expansion through internal growth and strategic acquisitions . This brought complementary technologies into the company and broadened its intellectual capability and market share . In 1994 Istec changed its name to Wescam and in 1995 Wescam went Public on the Toronto Stock Exchange . In 2002 L - 3 Communications acquired Wescam . L - 3 WESCAM has built a worldwide reputation for its technology and service among the multi - markets it serves . The Company has won many prestigious awards including an Academy award , and close to 20 Emmy ’ s for technical excellence and personal achievement . As part of L - 3 Communications , Wescam has expanded its presence in the U . S . , and increased its base of products and service offerings to customers . Products . Wescam ' s primary product line is the MX - Series , which consists of three separate turret families — the MX - 10 , MX - 15 , and MX - 20 . They are currently used by defence , homeland security , and law enforcement agencies as well as in televised sporting events , such as NASCAR . These products are typically mounted on fixed - wing , rotor - wing , UAV and Aerostat airborne platforms and also on numerous armoured vehicles , and marine - based platforms . MX - 10 . Introduced in 2009 , the MX - 10 is Wescam ' s newest imaging system . Its fully integrated weight is 37 pounds ( 16 . 8 kg ) , has a 10 - inch ( 26 cm ) diameter and stands 14 inches ( 36 cm ) tall . This small size and low weight reduce the weight and clearance requirements for installation on manned and unmanned airborne platforms . The MX - 10 can incorporate several different types of sensors ( up to six ) , including high - definition daylight and infrared sensors . Wescam has been in the process of creating variations of the MX - 10 for use in a wider range of applications . The MX - 10GS ( GS : Ground System ) has been adapted for mounting on a ground vehicle where it can sit atop a mast or tower for a higher point of view , whether the vehicle is moving or stationary . The MX - 10MS ( MS : Marinized System ) has also been created , and Zyvex Technologies has operated it on the Piranha Unmanned Surface Vessel ( USV ) . MX - 15 . The MX - 15 is Wescam ' s most popular family of imaging systems . This turret can weigh up to 100 pounds ( 45 kg ) with a diameter of 15 . 5 inches ( 40 cm ) and a height of 19 inches ( 48 cm ) . The MX - 15 Family includes the MX - 15 , the MX - 15HDi ( High - Definition variant ) , the MX - 15D ( Designator variant ) and the MX - 15GS ( Ground System variant ) . These imaging systems are usually installed on manned fixed - and rotary - wing aircraft . MX - 20 . Of the MX - Series , the MX - 20 is the largest imaging system , weighing in at up to 198 pounds ( 90 kg ) . It has a diameter of 21 inches ( 54 cm ) and a height of 26 inches ( 67 cm ) . This larger system is typically installed on large , fixed - wing aircraft , such as the P - 3 Orion , and Aerostat s . This turret is used for long - range surveillance as it can identify and engage subjects from over 20 km away . Customers . Wescam serves militaries and agencies around the world . Below is a short list of some of its customers .