Structural integrity monitoring of HERON TP UAV structure during full scale static and fatigue tests using optical fiber distributed strain sensing

An optical fiber based Rayleigh backscattering distributed strain sensing system was adopted as the main structural integrity monitoring tool for the IAI's HERON-TP UAV Full-Scale fatigue and ultimate tests. The strain signature along all major structural elements, as measured by the optical fibers, at each loading step was recorded and analyzed in real time. A specially developed human interface enabled easy tracking of emerging damage-related nonlinear phenomena. This sensing concept reduces the need for adding hundreds of electrical strain gauges and minimize intermediate conventional structural inspections during test, all leading to reducing test duration and cost.