Redwire is proud to announce the launch of our Octopus E180 HD MWIR, a next-generation gyro-stabilized Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) aircraft payload that combines high-definition mid-wave infrared imaging, precision three-axis mechanical stabilization, and long-range observation capability in a low-weight system. The upgraded system will be showcased at Redwire’s booth #C254 during Eurosatory on June 15-19, 2026.

Long-range reconnaissance, border security, force protection, and maritime surveillance missions don’t just depend on high-quality imagery; they require long-range detection and identification capabilities that provide reliable evidence before force is escalated and keep valuable assets away from potential threats.

When it comes to Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), operators must make fast decisions in complex environments where timelines are compressed, and every gram and watt onboard must directly contribute to mission success.

Designed for ISR mission requirements, the E180 HD MWIR enables operators to detect, identify, and track targets with exceptional clarity at considerable stand-off distances, day and night, across demanding operational conditions.

The upgraded E180 payload now includes a High Definition (HD) cooled Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) imager that provides advanced stabilization and optical zoom for sharper thermal detail at longer range, giving operators greater clarity in high-pressure environments with sub-optimal visibility conditions.

This cutting-edge payload system is engineered for medium and large uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), helicopters, and other manned ISR platforms that require high-performance sensing without excessive payload burden.

Take a closer look at the kind of mission the E180 HD MWIR was made for.

Mission Use Case: Long-Range Identification from Stand-Off Distances

Mission Objective

Detect, identify, and track targets at operationally relevant stand‑off distances that keep the UAS outside potential threat zones, without increasing aircraft size, weight, or power (SwaP) burden.

Target Operators

ISR mission crews, UAS operators, and sensor operators supporting intelligence collection, force protection, and time‑sensitive targeting.

Operational Challenge

Traditional EO/IR payloads force difficult trade-offs to maintain stand-off distances.

• Achieving longer-range detection and identification often requires larger, heavier sensors that limit platform endurance and flexibility.
• Degraded visibility (darkness, haze, smoke, weather) reduces confidence in target identification.
• Operators are overloaded by manual tracking tasks and delayed imagery processing.
• Systems capture images but fail to deliver actionable information—accurate tracking, geolocation, and rapid target classification—when it matters most.

The result: slower decisions, increased risk, and reduced mission effectiveness.

Solution: Octopus E180 HD MWIR

The E180 HD MWIR’s 4K EO sensor and high zoom capability enables ISR operators to see more detail from farther away, maintaining safer stand-off distances while gaining sharper, more reliable target insight—without increasing platform burden.

Key Capabilities and Benefits

• HD MWIR sensor with 12.5× optical zoom for exceptional image detail, contrast, and long-range observation, allowing operators to detect, recognize, and identify (DRI) targets from farther away for fast and accurate threat detection that maintains mission effectiveness in contested or dangerous areas
• High-performance three-axis mechanical stabilization keeps imagery steady in turbulent conditions for usable imagery even from smaller UAS platforms operating in wind or dynamic flight profiles
• Advanced onboard processing that supports real-time image enhancement, contrast optimization, and motion compensation for faster interpretation and decision-making
• Tracking and target acquisition support that improves detection of suspicious activity and emerging threats for more efficient surveillance of dynamic environments, allowing operators to focus on mission decisions rather than manually controlling the sensor
• Optional integrated laser rangefinder and laser pointer for accurate distance measurement and target marking to enhance mission coordination between ISR operators and tactical units, reducing uncertainty during time-sensitive operations
• Operational capability in any lighting for detailed target visibility in darkness, smoke, haze, and challenging environmental conditions

Mission Outcomes

• Longer-range detect, recognize, and identify (DRI) capability in a SwaP-optimized package
• Higher confidence target classification enabled by sharper thermal imagery and advancec stabilization at operationally relevant ranges
• Improved operator effectiveness through automated tracking, enhanced geolocation performance, and reduced cognitive load
• Faster, more informed decisions supported by real-time processing at the edge
• Greater platform flexibility through a modular, upgradeable payload architecture

Why It Matters

The Octopus E180HD MWIR is a payload built for multiple mission sets that supports high-resolution standoff ISR, as well as force protection, border surveillance, search and rescue, and target acquisition. This mission-proven surveillance system delivers a detect, recognize, and identify capability that enables the UAS to maintain a safer distance from hostile environments while helping the operator classify targets accurately.

Maximizing capability without increasing platform burden or risking valuable assets is how the E180 HD MWIR enables ISR operators to see farther, decide faster, and act with confidence—across all operational conditions, day and night.

Learn more about the Octopus E180 HD MWIR at Eurosatory booth #C254.