Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings

Handheld Imaging Tool Expands Aircraft Inspection Capability

By atesmeh | March 2, 2015

Share

When pilots climb into the cockpit they expect their aircraft to perform as expected, regardless if take off is from a home or deployed location; but ensuring that the aircraft is healthy enough to fly has become a challenge for the Air Force.

Currently, the Air Force employs a large piece of support equipment to inspect the outer surface of an advanced aircraft to verify its health. The current technology weighs over 1,200 pounds, which creates the need for a more logistic-friendly equipment designed for field use.

Read: Two-Man Shop Engineers Mission Success

In response, the Air Force Research Laboratory, through a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract managed as an Advanced Technology Demonstration Program, developed a first of its kind handheld imaging tool (HIT) that provides the Air Force with a portable, nondestructive method to inspect and verify aircraft health.

The HIT consists of a handheld unit weighing less than 7 pounds attached to an 11-pound backpack that can image 100 percent of an aircraft’s surface.

The HIT collects a larger amount of data with equal or better quality than the current baseline support equipment. For example, in one particular zone configuration, the HIT is able to image the entire zone within 15 minutes with one maintenance operator. The current equipment requires two operators and takes nearly three hours to accomplish the same task.

An on-aircraft test and demonstration at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in late 2014, led to the culmination of the five-year research and development effort.

Joel Greenleaf, senior logistics subject matter expert for the F-35 Lightning II, said this is the most successful SBIR project he has been involved with in over 24 years.

“The AFRL team’s unyielding cooperation ensures this premier expeditionary imaging capability didn’t languish two or more years awaiting the standard requirements identification-to-contract execution that we frequently encounter,” he said. “I estimate AFRL’s efforts will provide the F-35 warfighter with the HIT at a minimum of three years sooner than we expected.”

As a testament to the final demonstration’s success, the F-35 Joint Program Office requested that AFRL manage a low-rate initial production effort to harden, meet support equipment requirements, and produce the first six HIT systems.

The AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate develops materials, processes, and manufacturing improvements that enable advancements in Air Force technology. It also provides unique technical expertise critical to sustaining the current aircraft fleet


Filed Under: Aerospace + defense

 

Related Articles Read More >

Flexible rotary shafts support thrust reverser on 150 LEAP 1-A turbofan engines
Drone-mounted inspection breaks barriers for F-35
TriStar, a misunderstood failure of design
Air Force Jet
How drones are advancing metrology for fighter jets

DESIGN GUIDE LIBRARY

“motion

Enews Sign Up

Motion Control Classroom

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Global supply needs drive increased manufacturing footprint development
  • How to Increase Rotational Capacity for a Retaining Ring
  • Cordis high resolution electronic proportional pressure controls
  • WAGO’s custom designed interface wiring system making industrial applications easier
  • 10 Reasons to Specify Valve Manifolds
  • Case study: How a 3D-printed tool saved thousands of hours and dollars

Design World Podcasts

May 17, 2022
Another view on additive and the aerospace industry
See More >
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • Advertising
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Engineering White Papers
  • LEAP AWARDS

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • 3D CAD
    • Electronics • electrical
    • Fastening & Joining
    • Factory automation
    • Linear Motion
    • Motion Control
    • Test & Measurement
    • Sensors
    • Fluid power
  • Learn
    • Ebooks / Tech Tips
    • Engineering Week
    • Future of Design Engineering
    • MC² Motion Control Classrooms
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
  • LEAP AWARDS
  • Leadership
    • 2022 Voting
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guide Library
  • Resources
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Women in Engineering
  • Supplier Listings