Magneto-Optic/Eddy Current Imaging of Subsurface Corrosion and Fatigue Cracks in Aging Aircraft

The rate of production of new aircraft, as well as the availability of funds to purchase them, are limited. As a consequence of these two factors, only a small percentage of the many thousands of aging aircraft in existence today (both civilian and military), will be replaced by new aircraft in the foreseeable future. Because replacement is not an option in many cases, the only practical way to maintain operations is to extend the useful service lifetimes of these aircraft by means of proper maintenance, repairs and upgrades [1]. An important component of proper maintenance is periodic inspection for subsurface corrosion and fatigue cracking in airframes.