Russian aerospace researchers are planning to test a coating designed to indicate areas of microscopic damage to composite aerostructures, Flightglobal writes.

The Moscow-based Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI) is co-operating with the Russian Academy of Sciences, through the Kurnakov chemistry institute, to develop the indicator.

TsAGI states that aircraft can sustain minor damage from hail, particles thrown up by the wheels, and errors during maintenance.

The institutes aim to create a shock-sensitive coating which will enable visual detection of damage to a depth of 0.5-1mm without the use of complex equipment and specialist personnel.

TsAGI says it intends to complete studies over the next year, before conducting full-scale tests on an aircraft.