Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) of Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) using structural health monitoring

Monitoring the continued health of aircraft subsystems and identifying problems before they affect airworthiness has been a long-term goal of both the U.S. military and commercial aviation industry. Structural health monitoring (SHM) can provide a paradigm shift from schedule-driven maintenance to condition-based maintenance (CBM) of assets. The proposed project will focus on the development of a Condition Based Maintenance system for Unmanned Air Vehicles using a built-in structural health monitoring system. Phase I will primarily focus on optimizing the number of sensors and developing an innovative interface between reliable and accurate diagnostic structural information and prognostic models that is applicable to composite and metal structures used in unmanned air vehicle (UAV) platforms. The proposed development will provide the means to significantly reduce maintenance/inspection costs, and enhance the reliability, efficiency and readiness of UAV structures. Boeing strongly supports the proposed development and has agreed to assist with the sensor optimization, interface development and application of Acellent's SHM technology to their platform designs.