Aerospace company BAE Systems Australia (Adelaide, South Australia, Australia) and the Australian government’s defense science and technology (DST) group were jointly presented with the 2017 Aerospace Australia Defence Industry Innovation Award from the nation’s defense department.
Christopher Pyne, Australia’s defense industry minister, said the two organizations were recognized for developing new technology to predict corrosion in aircraft structures through self-diagnosis.
“Aircraft corrosion costs [Australian defense operations] an estimated $245 million a year, and this new predictive system can significantly reduce that cost,” Pyne says. “It also helps defense aircraft spend more time flying missions and less time on the ground for maintenance.”
The environmental degradation monitoring and prognostics system anticipates future corrosion status for prompt preventative action to be taken, instead of the traditional practice of prescribed maintenance at fixed intervals, according to the government.
The technology has been successfully demonstrated on Australia’s military aircraft and is currently being deployed on helicopters as well, the government says, adding that the technology could also be a key contribution to the corrosion management system for the global F-35 Joint Strike Fighter fleet.
Pyne said the innovation award was a testament to the importance of collaboration between the defense department and industry.
“The government is committed to partnerships with industry to deliver innovation,” Pyne says.
The innovation award was presented to DST’s Geoff Hugo and BAE’s aerospace engineer James Waldie Australia at the Australian International AirShow, held from March 3-5, 2017, in Geelong, Victoria, Australia.