Innovative Photonic Sensors for Safety and Security, Part II: Aerospace and Submarine Applications

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Sensor Technology
• Aerospace Engineering
• Marine Engineering
• Safety and Security Systems

Background:

• Photonics technology presents a significant opportunity for enhancing safety and security in demanding aerospace and submarine environments.
• Optical fiber sensors offer a robust and versatile solution for monitoring critical systems in these specialized domains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements and results in applying optical fiber sensors for safety and security in aerospace and submarine applications.
• To highlight the practical implementation of these sensors in real-world scenarios.

Main Methods:

• Review of in-field applications of optical fiber sensors in aircraft monitoring.
• Analysis of weight and balance, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), and Landing Gear (LG) monitoring systems.
• Presentation of the design and marine application of underwater fiber-optic hydrophones.

Main Results:

• Successful in-field deployment of optical fiber sensors for comprehensive aircraft monitoring.
• Demonstrated effectiveness of fiber-optic sensors in Structural Health Monitoring and Landing Gear monitoring.
• Development and presentation of functional underwater fiber-optic hydrophones for marine applications.

Conclusions:

• Optical fiber sensors are highly employable for critical safety and security functions in both aerospace and submarine sectors.
• The reviewed technologies show significant promise for innovative and reliable monitoring solutions in these advanced fields.
• Further development and application of photonics-based sensors will continue to enhance operational safety and security.