ASD STROBE LIGHT EVALUATION

This report presents a synopsis of the literature search and testing conducted by ASD from 3 June 1975 to 22 October 1976 in an attempt to determine the specification requirements for strobe anticollision lights. The literature search resulted in a draft military specification for aircraft anticollision strobe lights which was circulated to the using commands and industry for comments 27 February 1976. Since the literature search had not provided quantitative data relative to required intensity, further investigation was deemed necessary. Testing was designed to generate data which could be extrapolated to determine intensity requirements for the specification. Test results indicate that strobe lights of intensities far exceeding those practical for aircraft installation would be required. The total effort resulted in the ASD recommendation that the proposed strobe light specification not be published as the visibility enhancement characteristics of the strobe lights when compared to the midair threat environment, offer very little, if any, added protection against midair collisions. ASD also recommended that the 'Force Wide Retrofit' action item of the General Officer Panel for Safety Matters be deleted. Any future strobe light activity should be based upon potential Life Cycle Cost advantages when they are used as functional replacements for the present rotating beacons. It was also recommended that the Midair Prevention System program, which was an outgrowth of early ASD proposals and provides a systematic approach to the midair collision problem, be continued. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  Aeronautical Systems Division

  Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
  Dayton, OH  United States  45433
• Authors:
  • Schmidlapp, P L
• Publication Date: 1977-6

Media Info

• Pagination: 211 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aircraft; Aviation safety; Beacons; Crash avoidance systems; Equipment; Flash lamps; Lamps; Light; Midair crashes; Specifications; Strobes; Visibility; Xenon
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aircraft safety; Experimental data; Intensity
• Old TRIS Terms: Aircraft equipment; Beacon lights; Strobe lights
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00169378
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: ASD-TR-77-3 Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 14 1978 12:00AM