Hand-Held Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) Scanner for Composite Missile Systems Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2010.1 Topic No.: N101-011 Topic Title: Hand-Held Nondestructive Inspection (NDI) Scanner for Composite Missile Systems Proposal No.: N101-011-0071 Firm: QUEST Integrated 1012 Central Avenue South Kent, Washington 98032-6103 Contact: Giovanni Nino Phone: (253) 872-9500 Web Site: www.qi2.com Abstract: In order to inspect and assess the structural integrity of highly curved composite structures, as those being introduced on the new generation of missile systems, a hand-help inspection tool is being proposed. This device will use a flexible ultrasonic array that can conform to the missile topologies and perform the inspection without couplant. Novel additive manufacturing technologies would be used to produce a light and compact device. Images of the inspected area would be available in near real time to facilitate damage assessment and can be displayed using conventional LCDs or a heads-up device. The hand-held could be used to rapidly inspect both flat and curved surfaces not only on missiles but also on rotor blades, leading edges and even composite pipeline structures. Benefits: A successful development of a small, fieldable, and easy to use hand-held tool to detect defects or damage on missile composite structures will improve the safety, reliability and availability of such a system for the NAVY operations. This tool will reduce cost and time for inspection and reparations in repair depot, carriers, or any other NAVY platform. However, this technology can be used to inspect a wide range of curved composite structures in aircraft, rotorcraft, rotor blades, and even composite pipelines among others. Return