A lighting system that produces a high intensity beam of light in the visible and infrared spectral regions that can be used for non-covert and ultra-covert operations. The lighting system is comprised of a HID lamp, a reflector, a lens, and a filter. The lamp utilizes a short arc gap and a unique combination of xenon gas, mercury and metal halides that produce a highly collimated beam of light in the visible and near-infrared regions. The lens is coated on both sides with an antireflective coating that reflects ultraviolet light and enhances the transmission of visible and infrared light. The lens is also coated on its outer surface with a hydroscopic material that protects the glass lens and the second antireflective coating from abrasion while facilitating the dispersion of water on the outer surface.