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If a vehicle uses a searchlight, does that count as shooting? And it therefore has to move a certain distance and can't pop smoke?

Or is it just an ability?

When you shoot you use searchlights

If you cant shoot, you cannot use the searchlight.

Basically, a successful night-fighting test allows the firing vehicle to illuminate the target for the remaining duration of your shooting phase. On the other hand, any vehicle which used a searchlight does not benefit from night fighting in enemy's shooting phase, next turn.

Interestingly, it looks like you do not have the option of shooting without using a searchlight. Can anyone confirm this?

You have to be able to shoot to use a Searchlight.

Locking as there is another thread on this topic still on the first page:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/440131.page