Three Dimensional Imaging for Missile Damage Assessment

A three-dimensional diagnostic/prognostic imaging system that is specifically designed for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is proposed. Core to the system under development is attention to the data that is produced, and ensuring that it is optimized for the purpose of prognostics. To this aim as much attention is paid to the system that collects the data as to the algorithms that analyze the data. A family of MEMS based sensors can provide both strain and corrosion measurement in a package a few mils thick that can be embedded during the motor casing fiber winding process for missile damage assessment. The unique strain measurement sensor is capable of separately measuring pure strain as well as bending all in one sensor. This unique capability in a micro sensor allows the direct measurement of both shear faults as well as impact damage. The corrosion micro sensor is a proven design being evaluated for application on laminated structures on new weapon systems. The combination of these two measurements (strain and corrosion) can provide data during the manufacturing process to assure that the parts are free from faults.