Sensors Detect Aircraft Damage as it Occurs

The damage-sensing network is integrated into a conceptual composite UH-60M Black Hawk rotorcraft. (US Army)

The Army developed and tested networked acoustic emission sensors that can detect airframe damage on conceptual composite UH-60 Black Hawk rotorcraft. The sensing method can be used to reliably detect and locate the initiation and growth of damage that may occur during service.

Acoustic emission sensing is a non-destructive technique that does not require external energy to detect damage. It relies on the energy that is initiated within the structure.

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