RAF technicians scanning for problems to prevent accidents and help save lives

Aircraft technicians from RAF Wittering have become the first in the UK to be trained on a 3D scanner that's capable of diagnosing a faulty aircraft component.

The device uses something called Non-Destructive Testing, which means it scans for defects while avoiding any harm to the original part and without having to take it apart - saving time and money.

The device, which is the size of a small office, has been described as a game-changing piece of kit for the Royal Air Force.

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Corporal James Crampton of 71 Squadron explained: "If we spot something – fatigue, issues within a component – and we prevent it from being fitted to an aircraft, then we can definitely prevent an air disaster in the future."

He demonstrated the use of the device with a component from a model aircraft engine, which to the naked eye looked to be in perfect condition.

However the scanner detected a crack in the part, which could have caused a catastrophic failure on its full-size counterpart.

Another test of a small component called a dog bone found the metal to be too porous and structurally unsound. That information would then be fed back so it could be manufactured to better tolerances.

A similar test on a full-size component – the complex head box from an ejector seat – was able to check that a set of bolts had been fitted correctly, without having to have first take it apart.

Going forward, the scanner will prove to be a vital tool for the Royal Air Force, and could end up saving lives.