Heat Resistant Visual Landing Aid Lighting Fixtures for Ship Flight Decks and Expeditionary Air Field Matting

This Phase I investigation seeks to determine the feasibility of developing a VLA landing light capable of withstanding the anticipated increased high-temperature loads of new jet engine technology in the high-shock aircraft carrier environment. The fixture will be a form-fit-function replacement to the legacy fixture but will also explore the possibility of using advanced materials, optics, coatings, light sources and manufacturing methods. The ability to withstand direct jet exhaust up to 1700F will require the development of special sealing and gasketing techniques and the use of metal alloys that will not anneal, harden, or soften under the repeated temperature excursions. Optics and coatings will be developed that can survive for extended periods (thousands of hours) at a sustained 1700F in atmosphere. A detailed design validation plan will ensure that the developed fixture ultimately meets its intended specifications. Small-sample testing will also be performed to validate the performance of the proposed materials and interface methods.