High Resolution, Simple Detection of KC-130J Subsurface Cracks Under Fasteners

This proposed program is meant to develop a reliable method for finding subsurface cracks under fastener heads of the KC-130J. Structurally critical areas like the wing box and rainbow fittings do not currently have a reliable method to detect these cracks before they grow too large and become a danger to the mission. If left unchecked, these cracks can grow to a potentially catastrophic size. This project will use Imperium"s high resolution ultrasound camera as the basis for a mechanically scanned system which will pass over hundreds of these structures and provide real time feedback. During this project Imperium will design and build the system, perform a probability of detection (POD) study, and deliver the system to the Navy. At the conclusion of this project the system will be a production ready automatic system with built in detection software to alert the user of the presence of defects. The system will generate images of cracks in 1st and 2nd layers structures down to 0.100".