In effort to increase range and reduce fuel consumption, the Air Force is working with bonded composite airframe structures to potentially achieve more affordable manufacturing and more efficient structures.
Laser bond inspection (LBI) in conjunction with bond process control is an enabling technology to transition primary bonded composite structures and realize these goals.
Composite structures, when joined using adhesive bonding rather than traditional rivets or fasteners, require a new inspection process to verify the strength and safety of the composite bonds.
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