Aircraft damage assessment and surveillance system

An in flight damage assessment system for aircraft comprising:

• imaging means for capturing optical images of predetermined portions of said aircraft substantially continuously during flight, being disposed along the exterior of said aircraft such that the flight characteristics of the aircraft remain substantially unaltered, said imaging means comprising:
• a first video camera mounted within an outer portion of a first wing structure so as to focus on a first side of an aft tail section from a first wing;
• a second video camera mounted within an outer portion of a second wing structure so as to focus on a second side of said aft tail section from a second wing;
• first and second optical windows positioned adjacent said first and second video cameras so as to preserve the airfoil shape of said first and second wings comprising substantially optically transparent material;
• means for recording images captured by said imaging means on a storage media, said recording having an enclosure which provides for the survival of said storage media even when subjected to the harsh environment of an aircraft crash;
• display means for displaying said captured optical images to aircraft crew members;
• and
• means for interfacing said imaging means to said recording means and said display means.

A method of providing in flight damage assessment for an aircraft while in atmospheric flight comprising the steps of:

• disposing imaging means for capturing optical images of predetermined portions of said aircraft along the exterior of said aircraft such that the atmospheric flight characteristics of the aircraft remain substantially unaltered;
• capturing optical images of predetermined portions comprising first and second sides of vertical stabilizers, upper fuselage and wing surface, front landing gear under carriage and aft underbody including underside wing surfaces;
• providing recording means for recording optical data on a storage media, said recording means having an enclosure capable of protecting said media even when subjected to the harsh environment of an aircraft crash;
• securing said storage means within said aircraft;
• providing display means for visually displaying at least one image of said captured optical images to aircraft crew members;
• and
• interfacing said imaging means to said recording means and said display means.