Expeditionary Airfield Lighting System for the Royal Moroccan Air Force
Expeditionary Airfield Lighting System for the Royal Moroccan Air Force
Application:
Portable Airfield Lighting
Location:
Morocco
Date:
2021
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Background
The Royal Moroccan Air Force (RMAF), with the support of the United States Department of Security Cooperation Agency, has been enhancing its military defense and resilience capabilities, particularly for its helicopter units.
Avlite partnered with ADS Inc. to provide and manage the support packages necessary for some of the RMAF’s airfield systems. The collaboration aligns with the broader U.S. support strategy for Morocco. This also includes the sale of AH-64E Apache helicopters, further strengthening the country’s defense capabilities and readiness for a range of operational scenarios.
Challenge
The RMAF faced challenges in operating in various environments, particularly for helicopter units, which require a flexible and portable lighting system due to their maneuverability. This was especially critical during night operations or adverse conditions.
With the introduction of Avlite’s High Mobility Airfield Lighting System (HMALS), HMALS significantly enhanced the RMAF’s defense and emergency response capabilities by providing reliable, adaptable lighting solutions that do not rely on traditional power sources, allowing for improved operational readiness and effectiveness in diverse scenarios.
Solution
The HMALS delivered by Avlite comprised six trailers, each capable of independently lighting a 5,000-foot airfield. Collectively, the system can illuminate a runway of 10,000 feet or more.
Each system included the following components:
- Runway and Taxiway Lights
Medium-intensity runway and taxiway lighting, meeting FAA and ICAO standards. - Pilot Activated Lighting Controller (PALC)
Allowing pilots to activate the lighting system via radio, facilitating autonomous operation during approach and landing. - Mounts
Providing lighting fixtures a safe, efficient frangible mounting method in all types of environments. - Solar Charging System
Ensuring sustainability and operability in remote areas without relying on conventional power sources. - Auxiliary Charging Systems
Enabling charging for the PALC and handheld controllers through the trailer or an external power source.
The HMALS supported medium-intensity runway edge lighting for non-precision or Visual Flight Rules (VFR) approaches, utilizing a variety of navigation aids such as GPS, VOR, NDB, VORTAC, or TACAN. The ability to deploy and operate in diverse environments provided the RMAF with enhanced flexibility for both defense and emergency response operations.
Outcome
Avlite is proud to support the needs of the Royal Moroccan Air Force, contributing to its homeland defense and expanding the capabilities of its air operations. This project represents a step forward in the growing defense relationship between Morocco and the United States, reinforcing a partnership that aims to strengthen security and military cooperation between the two allies.
