Boeing Global Services is maturing its drone-based aircraft inspection capability on the C-17 Globemaster III to help modernize how inspections are planned, performed and reviewed.
The Advanced Aircraft Inspection (AAI) program, underway at the San Antonio site, combines autonomous drone flight with Boeing’s Automated Damage Detection Software (ADDS) to capture exterior images, identify anomalies and support maintainers with a digital record that can be reviewed and acted on more quickly than traditional methods.
Why it matters: The effort will contribute to technician safety by reducing reliance on manual lift equipment and wing walks and increasing inspection consistency while improving fleet availability. Improving the efficiency of inspections will support fleet availability by reducing the time aircraft spend out of service.
- Boeing has validated core workflows and established the procedures needed to support training, qualification, quality and day-to-day maintenance operations.
What they’re saying: “AAI is about turning innovation into operational value,” said Travis Williams, vice president of Mobility and Surveillance Aircraft Services. “We’re delivering measurable improvements and building a repeatable capability that can be scaled as we validate outcomes.”
What’s next: San Antonio teams continue to advance the processes involved.
- The work supports Boeing’s broader focus on safely improving maintenance flow, strengthening digital records, and creating a path for additional military and commercial applications.
- Global Services government and commercial teams are sharing lessons to accelerate future deployments and improve repeatability.
Leveraging AI: An important part of the effort is the algorithm. As Boeing continues improving ADDS, the software’s ability to identify defects and patterns will grow.
Over time, its detection capability is expected to improve inspection of lightning damage and early evidence of corrosion. This can reduce downtime, improve operational safety and establish authoritative digital records of aircraft condition.
Big picture: Boeing’s goal is to make AAI a standard maintenance effort deployed widely across company programs and sites, improving how inspections are performed while supporting safety, efficiency, quality, and long-term sustainment and readiness goals for military and civilian customers.
By Kiley Keenzel
Source: www.boeing.com
