The high intensity light emitting diode (LED) array, developed for the U.S. Army's Natick (Massachusetts) Soldier RD&E Center, outperforms old fluorescent tubes in every way.  

"The existing lighting system for U.S. Army shelters is heavy and has several logistical headaches associated with it," said Techshot Director of Military Business Development Jim Cherry. "Fluorescent systems can weigh nearly 100 pounds; our's weighs approximately 75 percent less."  

And because the Techshot system is incredibly rugged, no one has to spend time shipping fragile replacement tubes all over the globe or dealing with the environmental hazards of broken or expended tube disposal.

 Using less energy, the Techshot solution produces three times the light output of traditional technology. And whatever the weather, this LED-based system provides instant flicker-free task lighting. "We've tested our lights at 40 below and they still maintain approximately 80 percent of their normal brightness," said Cherry. "Fluorescent tubes are barely visible at that temperature."

 But even at their optimum operating temperatures, fluorescent and incandescent lighting can't match the quality produced by this system. "Under our lights, colors are more discernible," said Cherry. "If you're looking at a map and it is critically important that you can clearly see the difference between black and brown, blue and teal or red and pink lines, then you need nothing less than the pure light provided by this product."

The company's solid state lighting system is a one-time installation solution that will last the life of the tent or longer. Soldiers never again have to waste time removing and reinstalling task lighting every time their units move. And less time dealing with tent lighting results in more time available for more important mission-critical tasks.