As part of a Rapid Sustainment Innovation Program (RSIP), the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Product Support Engineering Division is looking to deploy a new handheld instrument that can quickly and reliably detect and measure remnants of invisible surface contamination. Individual measurements can be made in less than 5 seconds. Previously invisible contaminants will now be detectable ensuring proper surface preparation. The device, a Surface Analyst 3001, manufactured by Brighton Science in Cincinnati, OH, is currently being used in production by Lockheed Martin and Northrup Grumman to eliminate adhesive bond failures of the 30,000 nut plates on the F-35.

You can be eligible for no cost allocation of one of these instruments through the RSIP project. Brighton Science, AFLCMC/EZP, and AFMC/A4/10-EN will provide training and process support.

To learn more about the tool and the problems it solves, we’d like to invite you to a webinar where representatives of Brighton Science will show you some of the commercial uses, and answer questions to help you determine if this may be of interest in your area. Their next monthly webinar will be held Thursday, May 1, at 11:00 am Eastern Time. To register for this upcoming session, please click here.

For more information on becoming part of the RSIP project contact Mike Froning, AFLCMC/EZP on (937) 654-9930 or Donna Stacy, HQ AFMC/A4/10/A4-EN on (405) 626-5267.