Structural Monitoring Systems (SMS) has partnered with TESTIA, to commercialise its Comparative Vacuum Monitoring (CVM) technology for aircraft.

The CVM technology is a vacuum-based system, which can detect and monitor cracks while the aircraft is in-service, reducing costs of mandatory structural integrity aircraft maintenance inspections.

SMS expects receive the Federal Aviation Administration approval for the technology shortly.

"The CVM technology is a vacuum-based system, which can detect and monitor cracks while the aircraft is in-service."

Under the memorandum of understanding (MoU), TESTIA will be the distributor / reseller and integrator, as well as act as workbench to install, maintain, commercialise and promote the CVM technology.

The company will gain access to development and production aspects of the CVM, while providing manpower and technical expertise to advance the technology.

SMS will be able to access the Airbus Verification & Validation (V&V) centre for structural health monitoring in Germany, and will be supported in creating business cases for supplementary type certificates and alternative means of compliance, among others.

SMS managing director Toby Chandler said: "This is a major milestone for SMS and it now sets in train our pathway to full commercialisation.

"Our CVM technology has already been accepted by many of the world’s aviation giants and this partnership with Testia will ensure that we can now get it to the mass aerospace and aviation markets professionally, efficiently and pretty much anywhere around the globe."

The companies expect to perform the MoU in the coming weeks and establish a full joint operating agreement to create detail and breadth of commercial relationship between the parties.

An Airbus Group company, TESTIA is a non-destructive testing services provider for aerospace and aviation segments in France, Germany, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, UK, Indonesia and Africa.