Support Equipment

EO/IR Pod

Also known as
  • Nose-mounted EO/IR pod
  • EO/IR sensor pod
  • EO/IR with laser designator
  • EO/IR with laser pointer
  • WESCAM MX-15
  • WESCAM MX-15D
  • MX-15 EO/IR pod
  • MX-15D targeting pod
  • Bayraktar TB2 WESCAM sensor

EO/IR Pod is a support-equipment entry for airborne electro-optical and infrared sensor pods used to find, track, and designate targets from aircraft and UAVs. The page centers on source-backed examples: Canadian WESCAM sensors assessed on Turkish UAVs in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and Syria; Aero's L-39 Skyfox mission fit showing an EO/IR pod; and the U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J's nose-mounted EO/IR pod. Because carrier publications often name the function rather than a specific model, the relationship notes separate identified WESCAM MX-series evidence from generic EO/IR-pod references.

EO/IR Pod, Electro-optical/infrared airborne sensor pod, Support Equipment
Image source: L-39 Skyfox detail image | Aero

Role in Conflicts

2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict
Role in conflict
UAV sensor payload for reconnaissance and targeting

Global Affairs Canada's export-permit review assessed credible evidence that Bayraktar TB2 UAVs equipped with Canadian sensors were used in Nagorno-Karabakh; the same review treated WESCAM sensors as the likely Baykar UAV sensor fit.

2014 Second Libyan Civil War
Role in conflict
UAV sensor payload for armed reconnaissance

Global Affairs Canada assessed credible evidence that Canadian sensors on Turkish UAVs were used in Libya, with the review discussing Turkish Bayraktar TB2 activity and noting the WESCAM attribution as most likely where exact sensor identification was not public.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Canada / United States
Type
Electro-optical/infrared airborne sensor pod
Service note
2010s-present documented EO/IR sensor-pod conflict and carrier fits

Specifications

Sensor class
Electro-optical and infrared airborne sensor pod
Primary functions
Surveillance, reconnaissance, target acquisition, tracking, and designation
WESCAM MX-15 role
Medium-altitude covert surveillance, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue imaging from manned and unmanned airborne platforms
WESCAM MX-15D role
Medium-altitude EO/IR targeting and designating for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition from manned and unmanned platforms
L-39 Skyfox fit
Border-patrolling configuration with 2 x 350 l external fuel tanks plus 1 EO/IR pod
HC-130J fit
Nose-mounted EO/IR pod in the Coast Guard HC-130J mission system suite
Sourcing caveat
Some carrier sources identify only an EO/IR pod function, not the pod manufacturer or exact model
Carrier Aircraft and UAVs

Documented carrier examples include Bayraktar TB2 UAVs assessed with Canadian WESCAM sensors, Aero's L-39 Skyfox EO/IR pod fit, and the U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J's nose-mounted mission-system installation.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
Bayraktar TB2, Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, Aircraft & UAVsBayraktar TB2Armed UAV

Global Affairs Canada's export-permit review assessed credible evidence that Bayraktar TB2 UAVs equipped with Canadian sensors were used in Nagorno-Karabakh and that Turkish UAVs with Canadian sensors were used in Libya and Syria; the review treated WESCAM sensors as the likely Baykar UAV sensor fit.

Sources: Final report: Review of export permits to Turkiye

Aero L-39NG, Two-seat subsonic jet trainer and light-attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAero L-39NGTrainer/light-attack aircraft

The 2025 L-39 Skyfox brochure shows a border-patrolling configuration with 2 EFT 350 l and 1 EO/IR pod, and elsewhere names EO/IR with laser designator among mission payload examples for ISR work.

Sources: L-39 SKYFOX brochure | Aero

HC-130J Coast Guard, Long-range surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime patrol aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsHC-130J Coast GuardLong-range surveillance aircraft

The Coast Guard's HC-130J factsheet says the mission system suite includes a nose-mounted EO/IR pod.

Sources: HC-130J Super Hercules | USCG

Model-identification limits

WESCAM MX-series sources support the sensor-family and conflict-use context, but the L-39 Skyfox and HC-130J carrier sources name generic EO/IR pod installations rather than publishing an exact pod model.

Sources: WESCAM MX-15 Air Surveillance and Reconnaissance | L3Harris, WESCAM MX-15D Airborne Targeting and Designating | L3Harris, L-39 SKYFOX brochure | Aero, HC-130J Super Hercules | USCG

Documented Sensor Contexts

The sourced record is not one universal pod model. It combines direct WESCAM MX-series conflict evidence with carrier publications that identify an EO/IR pod by function only.

ContextDocumented detailAttribution limit
Bayraktar TB2, Medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, Aircraft & UAVsBayraktar TB2Canadian review assessed credible evidence of Turkish UAVs with Canadian sensors in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and Syria.The review treats WESCAM as the likely Baykar UAV sensor fit where public wreckage or imagery did not identify every pod.
WESCAM MX-15L3Harris describes the MX-15 as an airborne imaging system for surveillance, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue missions.Supports the sensor-family role, not every carrier installation listed here.
WESCAM MX-15DL3Harris describes the MX-15D as an EO/IR targeting and designating system for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition.Supports the targeting/designating function and WESCAM-family context.
Aero L-39NG, Two-seat subsonic jet trainer and light-attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsL-39 SkyfoxAero's brochure shows a border-patrolling fit with external fuel tanks and one EO/IR pod.The brochure identifies the mission pod function, not a published model name in the catalog field.
HC-130J Coast Guard, Long-range surveillance, search and rescue, and maritime patrol aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsHC-130J Coast GuardThe Coast Guard factsheet includes a nose-mounted EO/IR pod in the HC-130J mission suite.The factsheet does not name the pod manufacturer.
Timeline

EO/IR Pod Key Events

  1. Canada pauses new permits to Turkiye

    Canada suspended the issuance of new export permits to Turkiye after Turkiye's military incursion into northeastern Syria.

    Sources: Final report: Review of export permits to Turkiye

  2. Relevant export permits suspended

    Canada suspended relevant export permits after reports that Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 UAVs most likely equipped with Canadian sensors may have been used in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and Syria.

    Sources: Final report: Review of export permits to Turkiye

  3. Skyfox brochure documents EO/IR pod fit

    Aero's L-39 Skyfox brochure documented a border-patrolling configuration with two 350-liter external fuel tanks and one EO/IR pod.

    Sources: L-39 SKYFOX brochure | Aero

Related Weapon Systems
EO/IR with Laser Pointer, Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsEO/IR with Laser PointerElectro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointerEO/IR with Laser Pointer is Aeronautics' electro-optical and infrared sensor payload listing for the Orbiter 2 ISR mini-UAS, not a standalone aircraft or munition. Official product material places the payload beside ELINT, COMINT, EW, ATR, VMD, onboard tracker, and communication-jammer options, while independent upgrade coverage describes the Orbiter 2 payload set as including an electro-optical payload with a laser pointer.
F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS), Internally mounted electro-optical targeting sensor subsystem, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentF-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS)Internally mounted electro-optical targeting sensor subsystemThe F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is the AN/AAQ-40 sensor installation built into the F-35 Lightning II for precision air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting. Lockheed Martin describes it as a low-observable, internally mounted system that combines forward-looking infrared and infrared-search-and-track functions, and Janes reported F-35I EOTS footage from an Israeli cruise-missile interception during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.
Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod, Airborne electronic attack and reconnaissance pod, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareCommunication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) podAirborne electronic attack and reconnaissance podThe Communication EA Surveillance and Reconnaissance (CEASAR) pod is a Raytheon-built U.S. airborne electronic-attack payload developed for C-12/King Air aircraft to provide beyond-line-of-sight communications jamming for ground forces. It deployed with Task Force CEASAR in Afghanistan, later fed the NERO Gray Eagle UAS adaptation, and appeared in Air National Guard planning for EC-130J Commando Solo Multi-Mission Payload-Heavy aircraft.

Sources

L-39 SKYFOX | AeroPublisher: Aero Vodochody | Note: Supports the L-39 Skyfox program description, manufacturer background for the carrier aircraft, and aircraft specifications used for carrier context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29L-39 SKYFOX brochure | AeroPublisher: Aero Vodochody | Note: Supports the border-patrolling configuration with 2 EFT 350 l and 1 EO/IR pod, plus Aero's EO/IR with laser designator mission-payload example. | Accessed: 2026-06-29HC-130J Super Hercules | USCGPublisher: U.S. Coast Guard | Note: Supports the HC-130J mission system suite description, including the nose-mounted EO/IR pod, and the aircraft specifications. | Accessed: 2026-06-29WESCAM MX-15 Air Surveillance and Reconnaissance | L3HarrisPublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports WESCAM MX-15 background as an airborne EO/IR imaging system for surveillance, reconnaissance, and search-and-rescue missions from manned and unmanned platforms. | Accessed: 2026-06-29WESCAM MX-15D Airborne Targeting and Designating | L3HarrisPublisher: L3Harris | Note: Supports WESCAM MX-15D background as an EO/IR targeting and designating system for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition from manned and unmanned platforms. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Final report: Review of export permits to TurkiyePublisher: Global Affairs Canada | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict, 2014 Second Libyan Civil War, and 2011 Syrian Civil War direct conflict-use context: Canadian sensors equipped on Turkish UAVs were assessed as used in those conflicts, with WESCAM identified as the most likely Baykar UAV sensor fit where exact public identification was limited. | Accessed: 2026-06-29L-39 Skyfox detail image | AeroPublisher: Aero Vodochody | Note: Supports the Skyfox image used as the primary image on the EO/IR pod page. | Accessed: 2026-06-29