A high-power SMD LED array delivers a tightly focused beam, with wavelength calibrated for maximum visibility. Switch between red, green, and white signal states in real time — engineered for absolute clarity in critical conditions.
Our LED Aldis lamp, also known as a signal light gun, is a hand-held signal lamp for ships' bridges, air traffic control towers, airfields and heliports. When radio communication fails, is unavailable or radio silence is required, it gives the operator clear red, green and white light signals.
A high-power SMD LED array replaces the filament bulb and coloured lenses of the traditional Aldis lamp and older signal lamps. It is lightweight, runs from a rechargeable battery and sits in a desk cradle with its charger, ready for instant use.
Air traffic controllers use an aviation signal lamp, or signal light gun, to pass light signals to aircraft, vehicles and ground personnel when radio contact is lost. Typical users include airport and airfield control towers, heliports and helipads, offshore helicopter operations, air ambulance and police air units, and military flight lines.
On a ship's bridge, the Aldis lamp is used for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore visual signalling, including Morse code. Our LED Aldis lamp is the modern replacement for the bulb-based original, and for the daylight signalling lamp ships carry under SOLAS Chapter V.
Switch between the three standard light signal colours, with a two-position trigger for a steady beam or manual flashing for Morse code.
A tightly focused LED beam with a 50,000-hour life and no bulbs to replace.
Cordless operation, independent of mains or ship's power.
Kept charged at the operator's position, ready the moment it's needed.
A hand-held signal lamp that is easy to carry to the tower window, flight line or bridge wing.
Each model is tailored to where it's used. The aviation model has aviation-specific signalling patterns for quick, easy use; the maritime model is designed to meet IP67 waterproofing.
An Aldis lamp is a hand-held signal lamp used to send messages by flashing light, usually in Morse code. It is named after Arthur C. W. Aldis, who developed the hand-held design in the early 20th century. Navies and merchant ships have used Aldis lamps for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore signalling ever since, and the name is now used for hand-held signal lamps in general.
A traditional Aldis lamp shines a bright bulb through a reflector and uses a trigger to tilt a mirror or open a shutter, flashing the beam on and off as dots and dashes. The operator aims it with a sight on top of the lamp. An LED Aldis lamp does the same job electronically: the LEDs switch on and off directly, so there is no moving shutter to wear out and no bulb to replace.
They are the same family of equipment. “Aldis lamp” is the traditional maritime name, while “signal light gun” or “light gun” is the term used in aviation, where air traffic controllers use one to send red, green and white light signals to aircraft. Our LED Aldis lamp is designed for both roles, with models configured for maritime and aviation use.
LEDs switch on and off instantly, with no warm-up or fade, so Morse signals are crisp and easy to read. There are no bulbs to replace, as the LED array is rated for 50,000 hours. LEDs also draw less power, so the battery lasts longer between charges, and with no fragile filament the lamp is more robust against knocks and vibration.
Under SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 19, ships of 150 gross tonnage and upwards, and all passenger ships, must carry a daylight signalling lamp, or other means of communicating by light, powered by a source not solely dependent on the ship’s power supply. A rechargeable LED Aldis lamp meets that power requirement by design. The IMO performance standard for daylight signalling lamps is resolution MSC.95(72).
The Trident is designed to meet IMO MSC.95(72) performance standards for daylight signalling lamps. Independent lab testing has measured a peak intensity of 90 kcd with a 5° beam, against the IMO minimum of 60,000 cd, and formal compliance testing is in progress.
IMO requirement: the IMO standard for daylight signalling lamps, MSC.95(72), requires a range of at least 2 nautical miles by day with an atmospheric transmission of 0.8, equivalent to a luminous intensity of 60,000 cd. The Trident’s 90 kcd beam gives 2.4 nm under that test.
Nominal range: using the IALA definition of a light’s nominal range, with 10 nm meteorological visibility, the Trident can be seen at about 3.2 nm by day and 19.5 nm at night. In clearer air it reaches further:
| Conditions | Daytime range | Night range* |
|---|---|---|
| IALA nominal | 3.2 nm | 19.5 nm |
| Clear | 3.5 nm | 24 nm |
| Exceptionally clear | 4.1 nm | 41 nm |
*Night ranges are the distances at which the light is bright enough to see. In practice the curve of the Earth limits range first: about 16 nm between two observers 15 m above the sea, or 21 nm at 25 m. Bright shore lighting behind the observer also shortens night range, for example from 19.5 nm to about 14 nm at IALA nominal conditions. Ranges are calculated with Allard’s law from the measured 90 kcd peak intensity, using IALA’s thresholds of 1 millilux by day and 0.2 microlux at night. Clear and exceptionally clear conditions assume a meteorological visibility of about 13 nm and 28 nm.
Yes. A two-position trigger gives either a steady beam or manual flashing for Morse code, using the International Code of Signals for flashing light.
Red, white and green. White is the standard colour for Morse code signalling at sea, while red and green are used for light signals in aviation and wherever coloured signals are needed.
The Trident runs from a rechargeable battery that exceeds the IMO requirement of at least 2 hours’ continuous operation. It sits in a desk cradle with its charger, so it is always charged and ready at the operator’s position.
The Trident is designed to meet IP67, which means dust-tight and protected against temporary immersion, for use on open bridge wings and in spray. IP67 certification testing is planned.
Contact us through our contact page or at accounts@3dmaritime.uk for pricing, availability and lead times.
