Honeywell announced that its advanced LED Landing Search Light has been selected by Bell Textron for integration into the U.S. Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), designated the MV-75. This contract award marks another key win for Honeywell on the pivotal program, following earlier selections of its Attune™ thermal management system and 36-150 auxiliary power unit.
The multi-function light is designed to reduce pilot workload by consolidating capabilities into a single, efficient unit. Honeywell emphasized that its LED lighting solution delivers proven performance, optimized specifically for the demanding requirements of the MV-75’s missions. Key focuses of the design include an enhanced optical system, robust power and thermal management, and superior environmental protection, all while aiming to lower operating costs and reduce overall weight for the aircraft.
“The MV-75 FLRAA is crucial for the U.S. Army and will provide significantly enhanced speed, range and lethality,” said Rich DeGraff, president of Control Systems at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Our proven Honeywell LED Landing Search Light has been optimized to meet demanding mission needs throughout the MV-75 FLRAA contract and subsequent active-duty service that will last beyond 2050.”
The new light builds upon Honeywell’s established commercial aviation LED technology, with modifications tailored for the MV-75’s performance and installation specs. It is manufactured at the company’s facility in Urbana, Ohio. Honeywell also highlighted the system’s growth potential, noting it can be upgraded with future capabilities like a laser pointer/tracker for integration with electro-optical/infrared systems on later aircraft variants.
This selection extends Honeywell’s role as a critical systems provider for the FLRAA program. The previously chosen Honeywell Attune™ system provides energy-efficient cooling for cabins and avionics, while the 36-150 APU ensures mission readiness by supplying backup electrical and hydraulic power.
The FLRAA program, managed by the U.S. Army, aims to field a next-generation assault aircraft to replace the aging Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, with initial operational capability targeted for the 2030s. The work is supported by the Army Contracting Command under Contract No. W58RGZ-23-C-0001. The views expressed by Honeywell are its own and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Army.
