The SP-401 Solar Approach Light by S4GA is a high-performance, ICAO-compliant solar-powered LED airfield lighting unit designed for permanent installation at civil and military airports. It serves both as a primary airfield lighting solution and a backup system in case of conventional power failure. This advanced unidirectional lighting system ensures reliable, long-term operation and is especially well-suited for remote or off-grid airfields. It meets a comprehensive range of global aviation regulations and standards, including those set by ICAO, FAA, EASA, CASA, AFAC, TP312 (Canada), and STANAG (NATO), ensuring compatibility with nearly all international and national aviation infrastructures.
At its core, the SP-401 is a standalone solar-powered LED light equipped with powerful unidirectional optics that emit white light with an average output of 1,800 candela, tested and certified by accredited laboratories. The LED components are rated for an impressive lifespan of 100,000 hours and are user-replaceable. Optional infrared LEDs can be integrated to make the unit compatible with night vision goggles (NVG), enabling covert or tactical operations. These features are housed within a robust, non-corrosive polycarbonate body topped with a borosilicate glass dome, both rated for exceptional environmental protection (IP68 and IK10) and tested for jet blast resistance up to 240 kph.
The SP-401’s energy storage system is flexible and highly efficient. Customers can choose between several battery types including standard lead-acid VRLA, Lithium-Ion (Li-ion), Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4), and Cyclon (Arctic Pack) options, each offering varying capacities and lifespans ranging from 300 to 3,000 charge cycles. The dual battery configuration ensures operational redundancy—if one battery fails, the light continues to function. Batteries are air transportable, user-replaceable without special tools, and available globally as standard 12V components. Maximum battery autonomy reaches up to 340 hours at 30% intensity, depending on the battery type selected.
Charging the light’s batteries can be accomplished in four ways: via a dedicated 25W externally mounted solar panel (polycrystalline by default, monocrystalline optional), via 24VDC electrical grid connection, via a dedicated backup charging station, or via a drop-in charging port. The solar panel is installed separately at an optimized 33° tilt for maximum energy collection and is easily replaceable in case of damage. The lighting unit uses Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) logic to ensure efficient battery charging even under variable temperature conditions and features temperature compensation, low-voltage cut-off, and a thermal sensor for enhanced battery management.
The SP-401 integrates seamlessly into a wireless mesh network and supports long-range radio communication over distances exceeding 10 km via 868 MHz, 915 MHz, or 2.4 GHz unlicensed frequency bands. The system is engineered to operate reliably in complex airport radio frequency environments. Each unit includes an external, replaceable antenna to ensure optimal signal performance and can be wirelessly activated or deactivated using the UR-101 handheld controller, the UR-201 control and monitoring unit, or directly from the ALCMS interface. Manual operation is also supported via a dedicated ON/OFF button on the device, which can trigger all nearby lights within range to activate in under one second.
Safety and reliability are central to the SP-401's design. The light features five levels of protection against failure, a built-in backup power supply, and real-time system monitoring through the Airfield Lighting Control and Monitoring System (ALCMS). It is tested and certified for frangibility in accordance with ICAO and FAA standards, and all materials used in mounting, such as frangible couplings and corrosion-resistant stainless steel, meet the highest aviation-grade specifications.
Physically, the light is compact and rugged, with a maximum height of 360 mm and a weight under 15 kg. It is suitable for installation on various surfaces, including grass and concrete, and its modular design allows the optics, dome, and batteries to be replaced on site without the need for specialized tools. Additionally, the system is fully waterproof and pressure-stabilized for extreme environmental conditions, capable of operating in temperatures ranging from -40°C to +80°C.
Functionality-wise, the SP-401 offers advanced optical performance with 99 different brightness levels and the ability to operate in steady, flashing, or dusk-till-dawn modes. Visual indicators show battery charge level and charging source status. The unit is capable of full daytime operation and is firmware-upgradable for future improvements. Each unit is delivered fully assembled and requires minimal setup, limited to attaching the solar panel and mounting accessories, and activating the unit with a single button press.
Manufactured in an ISO 9001:2008 certified facility, the SP-401 comes with a minimum two-year warranty on components (excluding batteries), and a one-year warranty on batteries. It is a turn-key, low-maintenance, and high-performance lighting solution for modern airfields requiring a reliable and standards-compliant solar approach lighting system.
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