Redwire Unveils Upgraded Octopus E140 MWIR EO/IR Payload at Eurosatory

Redwire’s upgraded Octopus E140 MWIR is a next-generation gyrostabilized Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) aircraft payload that delivers advanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, along with exceptional image stability and clarity at standoff distances in the sub15-inch class. This recently upgraded system will be showcased at Redwire’s booth #C254 during Eurosatory on June 15-19, 2026.

Gathering actionable intelligence—whether for border and infrastructure surveillance, the detection of concealed targets, or during long-range reconnaissance in contested environments—requires more than clear imagery. Accurate geolocation for multi-domain operations and all-weather, day or night capabilities enable operators to make decisions faster and with greater confidence, even when harsh environments degrade visibility and platform size limits payload options.

Purpose-built for demanding operational environments with low visibility, the E140 MWIR combines Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) sensing, High-Definition Electro-Optical (EO) imaging, and powerful onboard processing in a highly optimized, lightweight design. The result is superior day -and night performance for operators who require long-range clarity—even through smoke, fog, dust, and low light—without compromising operational effectiveness.

Take a closer look at the kind of missions the E140 MWIR was made for.

Mission Use Case: Tactical ISR Through Any Storm

Mission Objective

Enable confident detection, identification, tracking, and geolocation of targets through smoke, fog, dust, and low light—using a compact, lightweight EO/IR payload that is size, weight, and power (SWaP) optimized for smaller ISR platforms, reducing dependence on larger, more vulnerable systems.

Target Operators

Tactical ISR crews, UAS operators, and sensor operators supporting force protection, border security, disaster response, and time-sensitive intelligence missions, often in dynamic, low-visibility environments.

Operational Challenge

ISR missions in degraded environments introduce compounding challenges:

• Smoke, fog, dust, and low light obscure targets and reduce visual confidence
• Smaller platforms often lack the payload capacity to carry sensors with long-range clarity and precision geolocation
• Operators must manually interpret imagery while managing tracking and situational awareness
• Systems that capture imagery alone fall short when missions require accurate tracking, geolocation, and fast decision-making

The result: delayed action, increased uncertainty, and reduced operational effectiveness.

Solution: Octopus E140 MWIR

The Octopus E140 MWIR delivers mission-critical ISR performance in a compact, sub-15-inch class gimbal, bringing long-range clarity, stable imagery, and actionable intelligence to platforms traditionally limited by size and weight.

Key Capabilities and Benefits

• Stable, clear imagery at stand-off distances through optimized optics and advanced image processing, producing sharper, more actionable intelligence at range for critical situational awareness in complex operational environments
• Advanced zoom performance that supports detailed observation and target identification:
  • MWIR (thermal imagery when visibility is limited): 13.7× optical zoom (SD)
  • EO (crisp daytime imagery and positive visual identification): 30× optical zoom (Full HD)
• Day-to-night mission continuity for seamless performance across daylight, low-light, and complete darkness
• Integrated GPS/INS for precise sensor positioning and target geolocation, reducing uncertainty and accelerating operational decision-making
• Advanced onboard processing enables real-time image enhancement, stabilization refinement, and tracking support that improves image quality in real time to help operators see more clearly and interpret scenes more quickly
• Mission-ready laser options with configurable Laser Pointer (LP) and Laser Rangefinder (LRF) to support precise targeting and range estimation for accurate distance measurements to improve target location accuracy and mission planning
• Optimized size and weight to minimize payload impact, enabling smaller UAS platforms to perform missions traditionally requiring larger systems—maximizing capabilities while minimizing logistics and operational burden

Mission Outcomes

• Reliable ISR performance in low-visibility environments
• Improved confidence in target identification and classification
• Accurate tracking and geolocation for informed action
• Reduced operator workload through onboard automation
• Expanded mission capability for smaller, SWaP-constrained platforms

Why It Matters

For reliable ISR, seeing is only the first step—especially in operational environments with degraded visibility. Whether the mission involves a smoky wildfire response, maritime search and rescue in fog, or a battlefield obscured by dust, success is defined by the operator’s ability to interpret gathered intel and act on it quickly. The Octopus E140 MWIR delivers long-range clarity, precise geolocation, and real-time intelligence in a compact, lightweight, ITAR-free payload that maximizes capability without increasing platform burden.

The E140 MWIR helps operators see farther, understand the environment, accurately locate targets and objects of interest, and make faster, more informed decisions in the most challenging conditions.