Sensors integrated into the aircraft during production and assembly. Source | Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI)

Aircraft and airframe components manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI, Sacheon-si, South Korea) has contracted Acellent Technologies Inc. (Sunnyvale, Calif., U.S.) for delivery of the company’s structural health monitoring (SHM) systems to monitor the damage and load of KAI KF-21 fighter aircraft composite structures. 

The KF-21 is considered a 4.5-generation aircraft and is slated to replace South Korea’s aging fighter aircraft fleets. Production will continue through
the 2030s with the Republic of Korea Air Force expected to procure the KF-21 aircraft.

Acellent has been working with KAI via an engineering and manufacturing
development (EMD) contract to develop custom SHM systems for the KF-21. Acellent’s approach to SHM is centered on its patented SMART Layer sensor network, which is able to adapt to virtually any complex structural geometry. Acellent says it designs and manufactures all components of the SHM system, which includes data acquisition hardware and data analysis software that is used to collect data from the sensor networks installed on the aircraft structural components. Moreover, the SMART Layer technology can easily be integrated into new or existing structures in order to automate inspection and maintenance procedures.

Acellent manufactures SHM products for the evaluation of structural integrity, and offers three products categories: SMART Layer sensors, diagnostic hardware and damage detection Software Suites. These
products work hand in hand to function as a complete system solution for SHM.