The U.S. Marine Corp selected the solar airfield products from Carmanah Technologies in a public bid worth $175,000. The Marine Corp will employ the products in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA). The order, which includes Carmanah solar-powered runway edge and threshold lights, taxiway lights, and obstruction lights and mounting hardware, represents one of many temporary or permanent off-grid airfield deployments employed by US and NATO bases throughout the world.
The Carmanah A704 wireless runway edge lights, A650 taxiway lights, and A650 obstruction lights are immediately deployable to support humanitarian or military operations in CJTF-HOA, because they are solar powered. Carmanah notes that in addition to avoiding cabling costs and installation logistics, the innately mobile lights are also immune to grid failures or instability.
“Carmanah has proven its capability and performance within the aviation industry. Our list of installations in the defense and commercial airfield markets is substantial and continues to grow,” said Carmanah CEO Bruce Cousins. “With remote monitoring and control, infrared capability, and high intensity technology optimized for Northern latitudes, we believe that our products will continue to be unmatched particularly where a demand for energy independence, quality and reliability exist in the marketplace.”
In 2013, Carmanah supplied hundreds of taxiway and runway lights for U.S. Air Force bases in Colorado, Kansas, Arizona, Mississippi and Delaware. In 2012, Carmanah launched the A704-H; a high-intensity solar LED airfield light that meets standards for medium-intensity runway lighting (“MIRL”) and high intensity runway lighting (“HIRL”) up to 500 candela (in white). It is also capable of Infrared (“IR”) modes for Night Vision Goggle (“NVG”) operation and is ideal for deployment in permanent or temporary airfields and helipads and as backup emergency lighting systems.
