Automated Aircraft Engine Bay Inspections Using 3D+ Software Platform

Quidient proposes to modify its Quidient Reality® Platform and develop an Engine Bay Inspection System (EBI-4100). The system is used to inspect Aircraft Engine Bays (e.g., F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16, A-10) far more efficiently to significantly reduce aircraft downtimes. These critical inspections are very labor intensive and negatively impact aircraft availability. The tool is designed to significantly speed up inspections, make necessary repairs, and rapidly return the aircraft into operation. Quidient’s solution provides Airmen a tool to quickly scan, model, and identify potential ‘Hot Spot’ areas within engine bays during inspection (e.g., regions that contain one or more anomalies like foreign objects (FO), or discrepancies in an engine bay prior to installing an engine. A robust, expandable, and highly scalable capability such as this would significantly help Maintainers and Quality Assurance by performing inspections more efficiently and effectively using identified areas as a supplemental guide to areas requiring additional attention and scrutiny. Quidient’s solution is an enhanced visual augmentation tool for Airmen to use in conjunction with current sustainment practices, including aircraft specific Technical Orders that are specified by the SPO. The Engine Bay Inspection Application is a prime example of a ‘light-weight’, but important application enabled by the Quidient Platform. This application will significantly improve operational efficiency, aircraft availability, and overall mission readiness. Additionally, the highly accurate 3D+ digital models will strengthen each asset’s historical maintenance record. It also enables remote diagnostics as the models can be easily shared with higher level craftsman experts to review, assess, and provide key remote technical support.