Inspection of Bonded Composite Structures Through Fairing Materials using Ultrasound

Aircraft systems utilizing advanced composite bonded structures require regular inspection and maintenance to ensure operational readiness. Access to internal structures is often restricted, necessitating inspection solutions capable of penetrating outer mold skins and coatings to detect defects within bonded components. To address this challenge, novel inspection techniques are being explored. This study evaluates various ultrasonic inspection methods on coated fairing material configurations to determine their effectiveness in detecting defects within underlying composite bonded structures. Kratos SRE’s UltraSpec™ technology, along with conventional ultrasonic and non-contact ultrasonic techniques, are assessed for feasibility. A successful inspection method will be integrated into a functional device for commercialization and global deployment.