Schmidt AS 990 / ASC 990 high-speed airfield sweeper (distributed by Manmachine Works)

The Schmidt AS 990 / ASC 990 is one of the most widely deployed purpose-built airfield sweepers in service globally, with more than 500 units sold. It is designed from the ground up for the operational demands of runway, taxiway, and apron cleaning — not adapted from a municipal platform — and this distinction matters when specifying for high-traffic international airports. The sweeping unit, with two disc brushes, achieves a working width of up to 3,500 mm; the rear suction unit covers 2,300 mm, with optional side ducts extending coverage by 500 mm per side. Maximum sweeping speed is 40 km/h, enabling coverage of up to 140,000 m²/hour — sufficient for full-length clearance of a Category III runway with time to spare. The 9.5 m³ stainless-steel-floored hopper handles both solids (FOD, debris, sand) and liquids (de-icing agents, surface water). The liquid suction unit recovers 96–99% of applied glycol, a critical capability for airports managing de-icing fluid environmental compliance. An optional Schmidt PMB 2400 permanent magnetic bar removes metallic FOD — bolts, fasteners, safety wire — from swept surfaces. The ASC 990 variant adds a high-pressure wash bar operating at up to 200 bar / 70 l/min for detergent cleaning of aircraft stands. The 2,000-litre standard water tank (expandable by a further 2,000 litres) supports extended operational passes without re-fill stops. For GCC airports managing high daily movements with minimal closure windows, the AS 990's speed, payload, and multi-function capability — FOD removal, rubber, glycol, wash — consolidate what would otherwise require multiple specialist vehicles.