Structural Monitoring Systems (ASX:SMN) advancing comparative vacuum monitoring in aircraft maintenance

The aviation industry’s shift towards digital maintenance systems is accelerating, with Structural Monitoring Systems (ASX:SMN) at the forefront through its patented Comparative Vacuum Monitoring (CVM) technology.  

The company’s recent presentation at the 15th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring at Stanford University in California outlines how CVMTM has matured from a promising innovation to a certified and operationally proven method of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) in commercial aircraft maintenance programs. 

Approval and refinement of the technology is ongoing at Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp (AEM), SMS’ wholly owned, Canadian-based subsidiary which is a market leader in the development and sales of avionics technology. 

Highlights 

• CVMTM sensors have accumulated more than 2.5 million successful flight hours across airline fleets. 

• The system reduces inspection time from 24 hours to 15 minutes on Boeing 737 aft pressure bulkheads. 

• Progressing towards formal certification  by the Federal Aviation Administration and integrated into Boeing’s Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Manual and Service Bulletins. 

• New applications are under consideration for other applicable aircraft structures and fleets.  

CVMTM technology represents a major step forward in terms of moving from scheduled, manual inspections to data-driven maintenance models.  

The system detects structural cracks using a vacuum-based sensor, which identifies changes in differential pressure when a flaw occurs.  

Unlike conventional Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) methods, which require labour-intensive access to specific aircraft zones, CVMTM operates continuously and remotely, allowing maintenance teams to target intervention only when necessary. 

From a regulatory perspective, the formal path to final approval has been a complex and gradual with approval now expected in the 2026 calendar year.  

The system’s validation began in collaboration with Boeing and Delta Air Lines, achieving certification milestones including the first FAA Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for Structural Health Monitoring in aviation.  

It has since been adopted through Boeing Service Bulletins and incorporated into aircraft maintenance documentation, setting a precedent for other SHM technologies seeking commercial use. 

A key factor behind this progress has been the extensive and ongoing collaboration between Structural Monitoring Systems, regulators, and Orignal Equipment Manufacturers.  

The FAA’s Issue Paper on SHM, established a formal framework for certifying in-situ monitoring systems.  

This framework recognises that properly validated SHM technology can replace more traditional inspection procedures where performance standards are equivalent if not better.  

“Reliable Structural Health Monitoring systems can automatically process data, assess structural condition and signal for timely human intervention only when necessary,”

said Dennis Roach, SMS Senior Technical Fellow who presented at Stanford alongside  Trevor Lynch-Staunton P.Eng Anodyne Electronics Manufacturing Corp Group Chief Technical Officer. 

On Delta’s Boeing 737 fleet, 71 active aircraft equipped with the system, have replaced hangar-based inspections with at-the-gate checks, saving the airline both time and operational costs. From a broader industry standpoint, the adoption of SHM reflects an effort to modernise aircraft maintenance through predictive analytics and embedded intelligence.  

While early regulatory conservatism required parallel use of conventional inspections alongside CVMTM, the growing base of in-service data has steadily built confidence in its reliability.  

The company reports over seven years of operational success and data collection, forming a strong foundation for final regulatory approval and increased reliance on automated monitoring. 

Structural Monitoring Systems CVMTM technology has transitioned from experimental validation to embedded industrial use, a notable milestone in the evolution of aircraft maintenance.  

The next phase will likely see broader OEM and airline adoption as certification frameworks mature and as industry confidence grows in SHM’s proven ability to improve safety, reduce downtime, and cut life-cycle costs.  

The pathway to SHM integration is clearly advancing towards full stride. 

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