ITT Exelis (NYSE: XLS) has developed a capability, known as the Helios™ platform, that enables traffic and other cameras to function as weather sensors, providing more accurate, real-time environmental intelligence for better decision-making and response.

“Helios provides hyper-local weather intelligence to close the gap between broad regional imagery to street-view imagery,” said Eric Webster, vice president of weather systems for Exelis Geospatial Systems. “It’s the difference between watching moving cloud cover across a regional map and seeing heavy rains on a street corner.”

The Helios platform integrates networks of surveillance cameras already in use to watch traffic, facility security and railroad assets for weather monitoring. It aggregates disparate images into a single source and uses algorithms and image processing to reveal actionable real-time environmental intelligence. “Hyper-local weather data provided to national and local agencies, utility companies, transportation services and first responders can help in their decision-making process and ultimately save lives and resources,” Webster said.

Users can identify an area of interest for monitoring and select vantage points based on location, direction of view or National Weather Service warnings.

Visitors to the American Meteorological Society’s annual meeting Jan. 6 to 10 in Austin, Texas, can view a demonstration of Helios in the ITT Exelis booth at that event.

About ITT Exelis

ITT Exelis is a diversified, top-tier global aerospace, defense and information solutions company with strong positions in enduring and emerging global markets. Exelis is a leader in networked communications, sensing and surveillance, electronic warfare, navigation, air traffic solutions and information systems with growing positions in cyber security, composite aerostructures, logistics and technical services. The company has a 50-year legacy of innovation and technology expertise, partnering with customers worldwide to deliver affordable, mission-critical products and services for managing global threats, conflicts and complexities. Headquartered in McLean, Va., the company employs about 20,500 people and generated 2011 sales of $5.8 billion. www.exelisinc.com