How is a military airfield lit?
A full runway lighting system, with approach lights, distance-remaining signs, arresting cable markers and a covert infrared option.
A military airfield uses the same building blocks as a civil runway: approach lights, green threshold lights, edge, centreline and touchdown zone lights, red end lights, and runway guard lights and stop bars where taxiways meet the runway. In the US, the Army, Navy and Air Force generally follow FAA standards, and UFC 3-535-01 takes precedence where the two conflict.
The military additions are what set it apart: lit distance-remaining signs along the runway, arresting system markings where cables cross the runway, and flood and security lighting around aprons and shelters. Airfields that operate with night vision equipment may also use covert infrared lighting, which is not shown in the diagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1What is a military airfield lighting layout?
The arrangement of lights at an air base: approach lights, runway lights, taxiway lights and runway protection lights, plus items specific to military flying such as lit distance-remaining signs, arresting cable markers, shelter and security lighting, and covert infrared lighting.
Q2How does it differ from a civil airport layout?
The core elements are the same: edge, threshold, end, centreline and touchdown zone lights, approach systems, guard lights and stop bars. In the US, the Army, Navy and Air Force generally follow FAA standards, and UFC 3-535-01 takes precedence where they conflict. It also sets its own threshold layouts for the Air Force and Army, and adds lit distance-remaining signs and arresting system markings.
Q3What is covert infrared lighting?
Lighting that gives off infrared light so aircrew using night vision equipment can see it, while little or none is visible to the naked eye. UFC 3-535-01 covers covert infrared lights as part of its landing zone lighting.
Q4Can LED and incandescent lights be mixed on one taxiway?
Not under UFC 3-535-01, which does not permit mixing incandescent and LED lighting on a single taxiway.
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