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Distributed Fiber Optic Structural Monitoring of Aging Aircraft

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: F33615-03-C-5600
Agency Tracking Number: O012-0178
Amount: $0.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2003
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
2851 Commerce Street
Blacksburg, VA 24060
United States
DUNS: 627132913
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Brooks Childers
 Principal Investigator
 (540) 961-4514
 childersb@lunainnovations.com
Business Contact
 Garnett Linkous
Title: Chief Administrative Offi
Phone: (540) 953-4274
Email: linkousg@lunainnovations.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

Luna Innovations proposes the development of a flight capable distributed fiber optic sensing system with unprecedented spatial resolution that will acquire in-flight structural integrity readings on aircraft structural elements and will allow for the fastupload of such data upon an aircrafts return. The data will be available in many formats, but software developed by Luna Innovations will have a graphical interface to display data and allow technicians to make rapid assessments of an aircraft's flightworthiness. This innovation will allow aircraft to move from schedule-based to condition-based maintenance, resulting in potentially huge cost savings and increased operational availability. The potential commercial applications of this technology cannot be overstated, and indeed, have already resulted in a great deal of interest. This technology competes directly with conventional strain gauge and thermocouple sensors in the industrialsensors market and applications in air and ground based health monitoring will be dominated by distributed fiber optic sensing in the coming years due to the greater sensor densities available. Additionally, this work in health monitoring implies potentialincorporation of this technology in most high end military systems including aircraft, spacecraft, armored vehicles, and marine and architectural structures.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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