Searchlights for Air Defence Forces
The first testing of searchlights18 January 2023, Kyiv
Why we decided to engage in this
In September 2022, russian invaders began attacking Ukraine with Shahed-136 attack drones. The closer it got to winter, the clearer it became they would not stop, but rather increase their intensity. And so it happened: in November 2022, russians focused on striking Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which caused damage to both the military and, even more, to civilians..
At the beginning of 2023, a familiar unit, whose task was to protect the borders of Kyiv, reached out to our Foundation. They operated 2C6 Tunguska, yet had no means to visually search for targets in the sky. So we started exploring the topic of searchlights and flashlights that would help stationary air defense units and mobile fire teams protect civilians and infrastructure..
In just 10 days from the start of the search, we tested the first three samples of searchlights. And so began the story of this project.
How we did it
Collected all the models of searchlights that were recommended online
We searched for information on Facebook, in specialized groups, asked friends who had already bought something similar, and googled
Contacted manufacturers and suppliers
We clarified prices, availability, declared specifications, and supply restrictions
We determined what characteristics meet the needs of different units
Depending on the armament available to the unit, we determined the type of searchlights for the best cost-effectiveness ratio
Launched a fundraiser and started trial purchases of devices
Before this stage, it was not yet clear which models would be mass-produced, what would be their real efficiency and delivery times
Conducted 8 tests of searchlights
These were both subjective "by eye" tests and objective tests with lux meters to measure the luminous flux. We invited the military to attend these tests so that they could ask questions and simulate the real-life scenarios.
A total of 14 devices were tested
All of the tested devices were transferred to the troops. Not all of them were perfect, yet most of them met military requirements, although ultimately they were not put into series production..
Continued to purchase proven solutions and share this experience
More on real cases below
What we can recommend
We chose the model of the searchlights depending on the operational capacity of the units. Based on the maximum range of target destruction, they can be divided into 3 groups: 1) < 1200 m — firearms, PKM, PKT (and their combinations);2) 1200–2500 м — heavy machine guns (and their combinations), ZU-23-2, ZSU-23-4 «Shilka», 2С6 «Tunguska»;3) > 2500 мm— MPADS («Igla», «Stinger», «Starstreak»...), L-70 Bofors.Following are the models of flashlights we recommend for each of these groups:
Saba 6000
Estimated cost
21 000 UAH
● portable and lightweight● battery lasts for 5-6 hours● additional battery can be purchased
Contact
Oleksiy — (067) 6980348
Promin
Estimated cost
8 950 UAH
● Supermobile● 2 batteries for one hour of operation each● Possibility of attaching Picatinny/Weaver rail● 900m ≈ 0.6 lux
Contact
Tech Support Army — (050) 933-37-71
Bandera Flashlight BFL 280.1X
Estimated cost
35 000 UAH
● focus adjustment (spot width)● protected case● not very convenient for manual operation● requires a powerful charging station (consumption 280 W/h)
Contact
Promavtomatyka — webpage
TG-27L (did not get tested)
Estimated cost
45 000 UAH
● 400 W LED● heavy● preferable location: 15-20 meters from machine guns● requires a powerful charging station (consumption 400 W/h)
Contact
Hennadii Suldin
Searchlight ZPR-45х3
Estimated cost
80 000 UAH
● lightweight and portable● 1 battery lasts only 40 minutes, but can be quickly replaced● batteries can be purchased online● can be manually operated● energy consumption of only 130 W/h
Contact
Serhii — (067) 8265600"SunRay" LLC
Bandera Flashlight BFL 280.1X
Estimated cost
35 000 UAH
● focus adjustment (spot width)● protected metal case● not very convenient for manual operation● requires a powerful charging station (consumption 280 W/h)
Contact
Promavtomatyka — webpage
Whi received
Over March-June 2023, we delivered a total of 18 devices to eight units worth about UAH 450,000. Among the recipients are units of the Territorial Defense Forces, the National Guard, the Army and the Air Force serving in Kyiv, as well as in Chernihiv, Kyiv, Mykolaiv regions.
Media on this project
Acknowledgments
Who makes the project Searchlights for Air Defense Forces happen
🙏 Andrii (в/ч А1048)
For facilitating the testing of the searchlights. It is difficult to get him off balance with silly civilian requests, questions and tight deadlines
🙏 Oleksandr Lykhodid — test pilot of the Air Force of Ukraine
For responding quickly to requests and facilitating testing in the face of uncertainty
🙏 Air Defense Forces
Without you, there would be no independent Ukraine, no one to raise money, search for searchlights, buy and test them!
🙏 To donors, concerned citizens, subscribers of Hurkit
People who understand the importance of supporting the Defense Forces and raised UAH 450,000 to buy searchlights and flashlights for the Air Defense Forces
🙏 Hurkit team and volunteers
Those who, while working on their main jobs, helped with testing, shipping, media coverage and management of journalists
Some photos from the tests
Contact information
For questions and suggestions