Abstract: A method includes obtaining, at an unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight plan for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The flight plan is based on an aircraft type of an aircraft to be inspected. The method also includes coordinating, with a lighting control device onboard the aircraft, activation of a particular exterior light of the aircraft based on the flight plan such that the particular exterior light activates or deactivates when a particular sensor of the one or more sensors is located (i.e., positioned and oriented) to perform a sensing operation on the particular exterior light. The method further includes performing the sensing operation on the particular exterior light using the particular sensor. The method also includes determining a functionality metric associated with the particular exterior light based on the sensing operation.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining, at an unmanned aerial vehicle, a flight plan for the unmanned aerial vehicle. The flight plan is based on an aircraft type of an aircraft to be inspected. The method also includes coordinating, with a lighting control device onboard the aircraft, activation of a particular exterior light of the aircraft based on the flight plan such that the particular exterior light activates or deactivates when a particular sensor of the one or more sensors is located (i.e., positioned and oriented) to perform a sensing operation on the particular exterior light. The method further includes performing the sensing operation on the particular exterior light using the particular sensor. The method also includes determining a functionality metric associated with the particular exterior light based on the sensing operation.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and computer program product for inspecting an aircraft. A computer system receives captured data associated with a flight path flown by an unmanned aircraft system to acquire the captured data for the aircraft. The computer system compares the captured data with reference data for the aircraft to form a comparison. The computer system determines whether the captured data is within a set of tolerances for valid captured data using a result of the comparison. Prior to detecting anomalies for the aircraft using the captured data, the computer system determines a set of corrective actions in response to the captured data being outside of the set of tolerances for the valid captured data in which the set of corrective actions is performed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting an anomaly of an optically transparent or translucent object are disclosed. The system and method include a light source configured to emit light, a light transmission element having a textured surface, and an optical couplant configured to be disposed between the light transmission element and the object. At least a portion of the light emitted by the light source is configured to pass into the light transmission element through the textured surface and pass into the object through the optical couplant. At least a portion of the light that passes into the object internally reflects within the object and impinges on the anomaly to provide an illumination that indicates the location of the anomaly.

Abstract: A method of performing an automated non-destructive examination of a composite structure includes identifying surface damage on the composite structure, coupling an automated tap tester device to a surface of the composite structure at a location of the surface damage, and performing, with the automated tap tester device, a plurality of tapping impacts on the surface within a testing area that encapsulates the surface damage. The method also includes receiving a plurality of acoustic signals associated with the plurality of tapping impacts, modeling sub-surface damage associated with the surface damage based on an analysis of the plurality of acoustic signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide technology for inspections including receiving image data from a sensor, the sensor operable to scan an object, where the object is a manufactured object, generating a 3D image record for the object based on the image data, comparing the 3D image record with a stored design model for the object and/or a stored baseline image record of the object, and generating findings data based on the comparing, where the findings data is indicative of a discrepancy identified between the 3D image record and the one or more of the stored design model for the object or the stored baseline image record of the object. The sensor can be mounted on a moving platform such as a robotic arm, a track mounted assembly or a drone. The technology can further include a motion or flight plan for moving the sensor relative to the object.

Abstract: A computing system includes a processor and a non-volatile memory storing executable instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to execute an inspection classifier including at least a first artificial intelligence model, the inspection classifier being configured to receive run-time event input data from a plurality of data sources associated with an aircraft, the data sources including structural health monitoring sensors instrumented on the aircraft; extract features of the run-time event input data; determine a predicted inspection classification based upon the extracted features, the predicted inspection classification being one of a plurality of candidate inspection classifications; and output the predicted inspection classification.

Abstract: A method of performing an automated non-destructive examination of a composite structure includes identifying surface damage on the composite structure, coupling an automated tap tester device to a surface of the composite structure at a location of the surface damage, and performing, with the automated tap tester device, a plurality of tapping impacts on the surface within a testing area that encapsulates the surface damage. The method also includes receiving a plurality of acoustic signals associated with the plurality of tapping impacts, modeling sub-surface damage associated with the surface damage based on an analysis of the plurality of acoustic signals.

Abstract: A device including housing and a sensing module in the housing and configured to detect a lightning-caused inconsistency on an aircraft. The device also includes a data capture module in the housing and configured to capture images of the lightning-caused inconsistency. The device also includes an analysis module in the housing and configured to characterize characteristics of the lightning-caused inconsistency using the images and to compare the characteristics to a preexisting data set.