In-situ Nondestructive Evaluation for Horizontal Stabilator of T-50 Advanced Trainer using Mobile Pulse-echo Ultrasonic Propagation Imager

Defects and damages, such as disbond and delamination, mainly occur in composite structures, which are increasingly used in aircraft structures, and their detection is difficult. A mobile pulse-echo ultrasonic propatation imager (PE UPI) is a laser ultrasonic nondestructive inspection tool used as an in-situ nondestructive evaluation tool. The potential of mobile PE UPIs has been confirmed through a certification test of non-destructive standard specimens and F-16 Lockheed Martin standard specimens from the Korea Air Force. In this study, a mobile PE UPI was applied to the horizontal stabilizer of a T-50 advanced trainer as an in-situ non-destructive evaluation tool, and the field applicability of mobile PE UPI was proved by comparing inspection results with the conventional A-scan ultrasonic testing technique.