High-Speed Airborne Inspection System

To address the ONR / NIWC Pacific need for effective inspection of structural guy wires for corrosion, Albireo Technologies LLC (ATC) proposes to develop a High-Speed Airborne Inspection (HISPAIN) System, based on the combination of high-speed optical and X-ray imaging inspection approaches, implemented on an industrial UAV platform. The HISPAIN system will use the optical cameras for identifying the surface corrosion, and the X-ray imaging system – for identifying and visualizing subsurface corrosion. The proposed technology will implement novel approaches of data acquisition and processing for reliable differentiation between the guy wire structures and corrosion products. The HISPAIN system will be able to inspect up to 2300 ft of guy wire in 15-20 minutes in a single uninterrupted session, detecting corrosion features as small as 0.02” (0.5 mm). In Phase I, ATC plans to demonstrate the feasibility of the HISPAIN technology via a combination of analysis, modeling, and experimental testing, with the emphasis on optimizing the SWaP and corrosion detection capabilities. At the end of Phase I, we will outline the plan for further technology development in Phase II, including the HISPAIN integration with a UAV. During Phase II, ATC will produce a prototype UAV-based HISPAIN system and demonstrate its functionality in a relevant environment. The anticipated Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are: TRL-4 at the end of Phase I, TRL-6 at the end of Phase II.