Many potential Commercial applications of the STORM system exist, particularly in the aerospace industry. As major airframe manufacturers begin to produce composite airframes, it is becoming more critical for them to fully understand lightning strikes on these new designs. The STORM system will benefit them in their internal test programs. Additionally, the STORM system will provide additional benefit as standard equipment on these aircraft due to the increased real-time situational awareness it can provide flight crews and the added information it can provide maintenance crews. In addition to aerospace applications, the petrochemical industry can use this technology to monitor storage tanks for lightning strikes that can potentially compromise the integrity of the tanks.
The primary NASA applications for the STROM system include monitoring aircraft and spacecraft for lightning strikes. Specifically, the Ares I and V launch vehicles can benefit from lightning detection and location in order to quickly assess potential damage prior to and during launch. Additional applications include test instrumentation for studying lightning strikes on aircraft. One of NASA's prime contractors, ATK, has expressed interest in Invocon's STORM system for monitoring its composite encapsulated rocket motors.
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