Integrated test and evaluation of aircraft exterior lighting

The integration, test, and evaluation of U.S. Navy military aircraft exterior lighting over the past ten years have created several unanswered questions. Attribute this to the development and integration of new lighting technology, Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS), and changes in operational performance requirements of military aircraft. Federal Aviation Regulations and Military Specifications specify current exterior lighting system performance requirements. The latest significant update to the performance requirements was in the mid-60's. This update was due to the development of supersonic aircraft and the relative increases in closure speeds (1). The purpose of this thesis is to provide technical information based on the research of current Navy aircraft exterior lighting performance requirements, existing exterior lighting military specification requirements, and aircraft exterior lighting test and evaluation procedures.

Existing Navy and military specification requirements establish baseline exterior lighting configuration requirements for both fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft. These specifications are generic providing general design guidance for the procurement or "detailed" specification. The detailed specification contains tailored military specification requirements defining specific design criteria to fulfill current and unique operational and mission requirements for a particular aircraft. These tailored procurement specifications provide the ability to better define aircraft exterior lighting performance requirements. A key element that must be considered prior to defining a performance requirement is the ability to test it. It is impractical to define a performance requirement if it is not testable.

Advanced military aircraft like the U.S. Navy V-22, F/A- 18E/F and Air Force F-117 are examples of the latest military aircraft with unique operational mission requirements. The integration of NVIS, advanced avionic systems and stealth technology is changing the look, shape and design of military aircraft. The primary impacts to conventional aircraft exterior lighting are new integration requirements due to current aircraft "system" integration requirements. Existing conventional exterior lighting performance requirements have not changed significantly, but the systems integration requirements have degrading lighting performance. The new system integration requirements are challenging to the aerospace lighting industry, emphasizing the significance of an integrated military aircraft exterior lighting system.