Systems and methods to combine lights and cameras are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may carry a housing that holds both a lighting component and a video camera; receive instructions to operate the lighting component in at least one of two different lighting modes, including a landing lighting mode and a taxi lighting mode; control the video camera to capture video information at a particular frame rate; and control the lighting component to emit light in a manner that supports at least one particular lighting mode and that includes switching off or turning down the lighting component in synchrony with the particular frame rate to reduce glare and/or otherwise improve the captured video information.

A searchlight assembly includes a mount structure adapted to be mounted to an external surface of a vehicle; a lens coupled to an extending from the mount structure and having an inner surface defining a cavity; a spherical motor disposed within the cavity and coupled to the mount structure to independently rotate about two perpendicular axes relative to the mount structure and the lens; and a light source disposed within the cavity and coupled to the spherical motor to be rotatable therewith about the two perpendicular axes.

A searchlight assembly includes a mount structure adapted to be mounted to an external surface of a vehicle; a lens coupled to an extending from the mount structure and having an inner surface defining a cavity; a spherical motor disposed within the cavity and coupled to the mount structure to independently rotate about two perpendicular axes relative to the mount structure and the lens; and a light source disposed within the cavity and coupled to the spherical motor to be rotatable therewith about the two perpendicular axes.

An exterior aircraft light cover with integrated illumination includes a mounting portion, configured to be mounted to an exterior aircraft light housing; a light transmissive pane, supported by the mounting portion. The mounting portion and the light transmissive pane are configured to jointly close the exterior aircraft light housing. The cover also includes at least one photovoltaic device, which is configured for generating electric energy when illuminated; at least one electric storage device, which is configured for storing the electric energy generated by the at least one photovoltaic device; and at least one ancillary light source, which is operable with electric energy supplied by at least one of the at least one photovoltaic device and the at least one electric storage device.

A system for detecting and tracking an object that is exhibiting an anomalous behavior from a helicopter is disclosed. The system includes a search light connected to the helicopter; a camera; and a processor including an object detection module coupled to the search light and the camera, the object detection module being configured to receive a plurality of images from the camera, compare the plurality of images against a pattern database, determine the object is exhibiting the anomalous behavior and instruct the search light to point toward the object.

A lighting arrangement includes a light source configured for emitting light; a first reflector configured for collimating a first portion of the light emitted by the light source around a main light emission direction (D); and a second reflector arranged opposite to the light source. The second reflector is configured for reflecting a second portion of the light emitted by the light source back towards the light source for being diffusely reflected from the light source.

A lighting arrangement includes a light source configured for emitting light; a first reflector configured for collimating a first portion of the light emitted by the light source around a main light emission direction (D); and a second reflector arranged opposite to the light source. The second reflector is configured for reflecting a second portion of the light emitted by the light source back towards the light source for being diffusely reflected from the light source.

A combined aircraft navigation and anti-collision light, includes: at least one navigation light source and one anti-collision light source; a navigation light sensor, in operation outputting a light detection signal corresponding to an amount of light detected by the navigation light sensor; first and second optical systems, associated with navigation and collision light sources, wherein the first optical system is configured for shaping a navigation light output from light emitted by the at least one navigation light source and is configured for directing stray light from the at least one navigation light source to the navigation light sensor and a second optical system, associated with the at least one anti-collision light source and configured for shaping an anti-collision light output from light emitted by the at least one anti-collision light source; a lens cover, arranged over the light sources and optical systems for passing light therethrough.

A combined aircraft navigation and anti-collision light, includes: at least one navigation light source and one anti-collision light source; a navigation light sensor, in operation outputting a light detection signal corresponding to an amount of light detected by the navigation light sensor; first and second optical systems, associated with navigation and collision light sources, wherein the first optical system is configured for shaping a navigation light output from light emitted by the at least one navigation light source and is configured for directing stray light from the at least one navigation light source to the navigation light sensor and a second optical system, associated with the at least one anti-collision light source and configured for shaping an anti-collision light output from light emitted by the at least one anti-collision light source; a lens cover, arranged over the light sources and optical systems for passing light therethrough.

A system for guiding a drone to an intended destination using a remote guidance system, independent of a global positioning system installed on the drone and independent of radio guidance. The system uses a two-way optical communication channel between the guidance system and the drone. The drone and the guidance system each have a light source emitting a beam of encoded light, such as a modulated laser beam, and having an extended field of illumination, and a detector receiving the impinging light beam. The guidance system can detect the angular location of the drone emission, and can transmit instructions optically to the drone, while the drone can receive flight path instructions from the guidance system. The drone can be launched from a position that is not in the line of sight of its intended destination and guided optically from the launch position to its intended target destination.