Avlite Systems News

5th June 2012

Solar-powered Airfield Lighting System installed – footage shot under visual conditions and IR mode using NVG

Avlite's taxiway (AV72-RF) and runway edge (AV425-RF) lighting installation

A recently installed solar-powered airfield lighting system at an undisclosed military airbase has been filmed under visual conditions and IR mode.

The footage was captured during night operations by Avlite's Rick Teece from the airfield's ATC tower."This is a very short film, but gives the viewer a snapshot of our system's capabilities during night operations and is especially useful in demonstrating the system’s IR capability,” he said.

“I captured the entire lit airfield under IR mode with the use of night vision goggles (NVG) and despite the rudimentary footage, I think viewers will agree that the lights appear very bright indeed,” explained Mr Teece. “You can even see the moment when the lights are remotely switched to high intensity by the use of Avlite’s hand-held remote control,” he said.

The system installed consists of 169 x AV425-RF solar, LED runway edge (white), flashing approach lights (white) and bi-directional threshold lights (red and green). The airbase’s taxiway is serviced by 550 x blue AV72-RF ICAO compliant solar, LED omni-directional taxiway lights with tactical IR mode. Both RF light fixtures contain an internal RF module and antenna that receives encrypted command messages from Avlite’s handheld remote controller. The 128-bit encrypted handheld remote can be controlled via Avlite’s 2.4 GHz AvMeshTM network enabling each light to transmit and receive commands allowing the airfield to be expanded or altered at anytime. Lights can also be assigned to a light group to allow individual control of separate light groups within an airfield or for multi-faceted covert and overt operations – perfect for military applications.

Due to ease of set-up and transportability, Avlite’s complete airfield lighting systems are currently in use at a variety of global military locations for expeditionary operations and contingency situations. In addition, Avlite’s aviation lighting systems are in operation at remote (civil) airfields around the world servicing permanent, temporary, emergency or back-up lighting.

Without the need for mains power, cabling or trenching, Avlite’s solar-powered runway edge lights, threshold, taxiway, obstruction lights, and barricade lights are specifically suited to areas without infrastructure and can also complement existing traditional airfield or airport lighting systems.

Avlite’s products are designed, engineered and manufactured in-house at the company’s head office location in Australia. Maintaining a high standard of product quality and high tech solutions ensures product and system reliability and long-term efficiency equalling a low cost of ownership over the life of Avlite’s products.

Avlite has authorised distributors in over 40 countries who can tailor lighting solutions to your specific needs.