Because damage inflicted on aircraft can affect structural integrity and radar signature, specific aircraft types are inspected to triage damage and define repair actions. To radically improve current manual damage-identification practices, metrology specialists from Maryland-based SURVICE Engineering are integrating Metris iGPS, a noncontact, large-scale metrology solution, as the core of a turnkey damage-inspection solution. Metris iGPS quickly and accurately acquires locations and characteristics of aircraft damage. The spatial coordinates of visual damage are instantly tracked and marked on a digital 3-D aircraft model, simultaneously stepping up process accuracy and efficiency.

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