At present, the loaded rocket motors at NSWC and motor manufacturers are examined by taking many selected tangential x-ray film exposures. These tangential exposure films are interpreted by an expert radiograp for unbonds, cracks, voids and inclusions. This procedure has poor fla detectability, is slow and cumbersome and requires manual interpretation of film. Often only a limited x-ray exposures are taken and most of the fuel is not even filmed and problems are often missed. During Phase I, we investigated the feasibility of using a tangential scanner based on a solid state detector array. During Phase I, we designed a scanner, compiled expected signal/noise ratio for flaws. We also fabricated a test set-unit and collected scans from it. We also designed and investigated two software techniques to automatically detect flaws in the scan data. The Phase I work clearly shows that even very small flaws can be automatically detected by such scanner system. During Phase II, we propose to design and build a prototype scanner. We also propose to design and improve software methods for automatic flaw detection in rocket motors, warheads and explosives.
