Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

L-3’s Interstate Electronics Corp. is bringing full-motion video and data generated by aerial platforms into the hands of ground-level troops via smartphones using Google’s Android operating system. The latest version of its Video Scout system is being demonstrated here at the Paris Air Show (Static F186) using real-time data from L-3 Wescam MX-15i and MX-10 sensors.
Video Scout has been available some time on a ruggedized MC2 laptop. Users can connect with fellow personnel via local area networks and shared intelligence resources, including other Video Scout units, remote sensors, network-centric collaboration servers and intelligence connection nodes.
Todd Gautier, president of L-3’s Precision Engagement Sector, explained to AIN that the new Android application demonstrates that the technology is mission-system agnostic, adding that Video Scout could be applied to other devices in future. The system can deliver essentially the same content on the smartphone as on the laptop, albeit on a smaller display. Users can zoom in on details in the video, dragging and dropping content via a touchscreen.
“Situational awareness [relating to missions] can be shared with every member of a unit in real-time, and [commanders] can share information via handwritten notes and texting,” explained Gautier. “Each user now has push mode too so they can capture imagery and data and push it back into the network.”

Paris 2011: L-3 Video Scout Connects Ground Troops with Android-based Smartphones


L-3’s Interstate Electronics Corp.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Paris Air Show 2011

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