GVH Aerospace and Thommen Aircraft Equipment AG announce the imminent availability of the EASA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) on the Airbus Helicopter H135 series for the THOMMEN HSL-1600 high performance helicopter searchlight with integrated infrared capability.

The THOMMEN HSL-1600 high performance helicopter searchlight is a fully integrated searchlight with self-contained electronics, providing an easy means of installation and significant weight savings compared to traditional helicopter searchlights. The optional infrared illuminator provides excellent long-range IR performance with no speed restrictions on IR transition.

The HSL-1600 searchlight can be integrated with FLIR, moving maps and other mission equipment to provide a fully integrated slaving capability without the need for external components. For enhanced operational capability, the THOMMEN HSL-1600 can be equipped with up to three hand-held controllers with priority switching, laser pointers and integrated NVG filters.

The searchlight has completed certification flight test on G-NSYS, the H135T1 test and trials helicopter owned by Nova Systems UK, GVH Aerospace’s sister company. The Nova Systems EASA Category 1 test pilots completed the flight testing under GVH Aerospace EASA Part 21J design approval in June 2016. This marked the final milestone for completion and issue of the STC by EASA, which will be imminently available.