Southside Taxiway Refurbishment
Southside Taxiway Refurbishment
Project Overview
RAF Lossiemouth is one of the most strategically important bases for the Royal Air Force, supporting front-line fast jet operations and maintaining continuous operational readiness. Reliable airfield ground lighting plays a vital role in ensuring safe aircraft movements across the airfield, particularly during night operations and periods of reduced visibility.
To maintain operational efficiency and improve long-term reliability, ATG Airports was appointed to undertake a full upgrade of the southside taxiway edge lighting infrastructure. The existing legacy inset fittings and transformers had reached the end of their service life, resulting in increased maintenance interventions and reduced circuit performance. The objective of the project was to modernise the taxiway lighting system with energy-efficient LED technology while improving electrical performance and reducing ongoing maintenance requirements.
Project Scope and Delivery
The upgrade covered the entire southside taxiway network, which includes seven taxiways serving operational aircraft movement areas. Over the course of the project, the team replaced 260 existing inset taxiway edge fittings with modern IR852TL LED fittings and installed 260 new series isolating transformers. Legacy lighting equipment was removed and safely disposed of, while existing seating pots and bases were inspected and prepared to ensure compatibility with the new installations.
Once the infrastructure was prepared, the new transformers were installed, terminated, and integrated with the upgraded lighting circuits. Following installation, each circuit underwent a comprehensive commissioning and testing programme to confirm operational performance and electrical integrity. All works were delivered in accordance with the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization Annex 14 guidance alongside relevant MOD technical specifications.
Working Within an Operational Airbase
Delivering infrastructure improvements at a fully operational military airbase required detailed planning and close coordination with multiple stakeholders. The ATG Airports team worked in partnership with Airfield Operations, CDM Duty Holders, and Base Engineering teams to ensure safe working conditions while maintaining the availability of the taxiway network for aircraft movements.Daily coordination allowed the project team to access operational areas safely while scheduling works around operational flying windows when required. This collaborative approach ensured that the upgrade could progress efficiently without impacting critical airbase activities.
Engineering and Installation
Installation activities were carefully phased across the seven taxiways, enabling the team to maintain operational flexibility while ensuring consistent progress across the airfield.
The installation of IR852TL LED taxiway inset fittings alongside new series transformers significantly improved both optical performance and electrical reliability across the circuits. After installation, each lighting circuit was subjected to a full testing regime that included insulation resistance testing, electrical continuity verification, and operational functional testing through the Constant Current Regulator system. The project was successfully delivered over a ten- week programme.
Results and Benefits
The completed upgrade has significantly improved the reliability and performance of the taxiway lighting infrastructure across the southside operational areas at RAF Lossiemouth. The installation of modern LED fittings provides a longer service life compared with the legacy equipment previously in place, while the new transformers and improved connections have delivered stronger circuit readings and enhanced electrical stability.
As a result, the airfield now benefits from reduced maintenance requirements, improved operational resilience, and a lighting system designed to support continued military aviation activity for years to come. The project was delivered on schedule and with minimal disruption to operational flying activities, demonstrating the value of experienced airfield lighting specialists and careful project coordination when working within complex aviation environments.
Conclusion
The taxiway lighting upgrade at RAF Lossiemouth highlights ATG Airports’ ability to deliver complex airfield ground lighting projects within highly demanding operational environments. Through detailed planning, close collaboration with airbase stakeholders, and proven technical expertise, the project has strengthened the safety, reliability, and long-term performance of the airfield’s lighting infrastructure.
