MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. (USTCNS) --- After extensive research and two concept demonstrations, the Air Mobility Battlelab here resolved a significant aircraft cabin lighting deficiency in aeromedical evacuation aircraft.

"This new system will radically improve KC-135 cargo compartment lighting and greatly facilitate treatment of patients during aeromedical evacuation missions," said Maj. Allen Kidd, Air Mobility Battlelab project manager.

The battlelab was tasked with the 18-month project in December 2002, after receiving a proposal from the 374th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan (now the 18th AES, located at Kadena Air Base, Japan). Lt. Col. (Dr.) Timothy Kaczmar, 374th AES flight surgeon, submitted the proposal to improve the lighting on the KC-135.

AE crewmembers were relying on hand-held flashlights to conduct adequate patient care, said Maj. Allen Kidd.

Colonel Kaczmar said because of the insufficient lighting, several care providers noted the difficulty in assessing patients, establishing changes of clinical status, observing monitors and charting information.

To solve the problem, the Air Mobility Battlelab tackled the project head-on.

"This is exactly what we're here for - finding solutions; innovative solutions to problems for the war-fighter in a relatively short time," said the major. "In this situation, as with all battlelab initiatives, our goal was to complete the project in 18 months or less, which is far shorter the than normal acquisitions process."

To begin an initiative, the battlelab accomplishes a Web-based Broad Agency Announcement, which advertises to industry the need for a certain capability. Companies then respond to that announcement with ideas and potential solutions.

Additionally, battlelab project managers conduct independent research on companies, as well as attend various trade shows in search of promising technology that can be used to solve Air Mobility Command warfighter problems.

Once a prototype lighting kit (Light Emitting Diode, or LED, technology) was developed, the battlelab performed two concept demonstrations on-board an actual KC-135 AE mission. Major Kidd said the demonstrations were extremely effective.

The prototype LED portable lighting kit, developed by Phantom Products, Inc., uses lighting technology that provides full spectrum light at a relatively low cost, is lightweight, has low electrical power consumption and incorporates a simple design composed of readily available components.

The kit is kept in a small case for easy loading and unloading on and off the aircraft. At a minimum, one lighting kit contains enough lights for one Patient Support Pallet, a specially designed pallet incorporating patient litters.

According to Major Kidd, the new lighting system is now awaiting approval and funding from Headquarters AMC. Once approved, he said it will be provided to aeromedical evacuation squadrons for use on the KC-135 aircraft, and possibly other aircraft that require similar capabilities.