Thales has unveiled its latest innovation, the Search & Landing Light (SLL), designed to enhance visibility during critical helicopter operations. This next-generation lighting system features a compact, flush-mounted design, offering unrestricted 360° coverage and significantly reducing aerodynamic impact.
The new SLL combines a software-defined, fully connected architecture that facilitates mission-specific functionality and seamless integration with existing onboard systems. This capability is critical for operations requiring precise, stable illumination, such as Search and Rescue (SAR) and Helicopter Hoist missions, and includes a covert mode for night tactical operations.
In SAR scenarios, especially during complex nighttime operations, the SLL excels at rapid area scanning and survivor detection. Pilots, co-pilots, or hoist operators can control one or multiple lights, ensuring effective coordination throughout the mission. Its 360° coverage means that crews can illuminate survivors and landing zones continuously without needing to reposition the aircraft, thus expediting rescue efforts in challenging conditions.
For medical evacuations or maritime recovery operations, the SLL provides critical lighting to the hoist area. The winch operator has independent control over the lights, allowing them to adjust illumination in real time to enhance visibility and improve the safety and effectiveness of hoisting operations, particularly in degraded visual environments.
In military missions, the SLL enhances performance during infiltration and special operations by offering covert operating modes that minimize the aircraft’s visual and infrared signature. This allows for better tactical awareness and discreet operation in contested environments while still delivering necessary illumination.
Thales has overseen the design of the entire optical assembly for this high-power LED-based lighting system, in addition to the integration, assembly, and testing processes at its facilities in Dourdan, France.
“Helicopter crews operate in some of the most demanding environments, often making critical decisions in seconds and under extremely challenging conditions. Our new Search & Landing Light was developed with those operators in mind, giving them greater flexibility, enhanced mission effectiveness and the ability to adapt to a wide range of operational scenarios from a single system. It illustrates our commitment to delivering solutions that evolve with our customers’ missions.” Nicolas Bonleux, Vice President, Aerospace Communications, Thales.
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) stands as a global leader in advanced technologies serving the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. The company invests €4.5 billion annually in Research & Development, focusing on critical environments including Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Cloud technologies. With a workforce of over 85,000 employees across 65 countries, Thales generated sales of €22.1 billion in 2025. Company information and media resources can be found on the Thales Media Library. For media inquiries, contact Laura Fau, Media Relations Manager, at laura.fau@thalesgroup.com.
Source: Thales Group (2026-07-03 10:15:04)
