(1) Background: Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMSs) can reduce maintenance costs and aircraft downtime. However, their economic impact remains underexplored, particularly in cost–benefit terms. (2) Methods: This study conducted a targeted literature review on all the existing studies consisting of seventeen economic analyses of SHMS applications. Key features—such as SHMS type, structural material, vehicle type, integration stage, and cost elements—were classified to identify prevailing trends and gaps. (…

For the first time, ultra-high temperature ceramic matrix composite bars were tested inside an arc-jet facility to investigate the impact of oxidation damage on strength retention. The composite bars, based on a ZrB2/SiC matrix reinforced with 45 vol.% of carbon fibers, were produced by slurry impregnation and sintering. The first batch was tested under 3-point bending, two additional batches were exposed to a plasma of dissociated air up to a temperature of 2200 °C for two minutes or two plus two minutes and then…

Abstract Auxetic materials and structures have a negative Poisson’s ratio (PR), which means that they expand under a longitudinal tensile loading and shrink under compressive load. This property gives them an increased shear resistance, damping and energy absorption capabilities. Chiral geometries are among the most effective auxetic structures for their ability to convert the axial loading in the rotation of their internal nodes. In the present work, a novel 3D chiral geometry is presented, and its response is in…

Monitoring the integrity of aeronautical structures is fundamental for safety. Structural Health Monitoring Systems (SHMSs) perform real-time monitoring functions, but their performance must be carefully assessed. This is typically done by introducing artificial damages to the components; however, such a procedure requires the production and testing of a large number of structural elements. In this work, the damage detection performance of a strain-based SHMS was evaluated on a composite helicopter rotor blade roo…

The economic impact of Structural Health Monitoring Systems based on optical fibre sensors is assessed in the development of composite helicopter rotor blades. Hence, the focus of this analysis is on the helicopter’s Beginning Of Life stage. Two applications of the Structural Health Monitoring System are considered in the development of composite blades: curing cycle development and accomplishment of laboratory and flight certification tests. Optical fibre sensors measure the temperature field during the curing cy…