PROtect and sentin Launch AI-Powered Inspection Services, Opening New Possibilities for Aerospace NDT

PROtect, LLC has announced a strategic partnership with sentin GmbH to bring artificial intelligence into industrial inspections, marking a major leap forward in Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) capabilities. The collaboration makes PROtect the first North American inspection provider to offer AI-powered inspections as a service, transforming traditional workflows with automated defect detection, measurement, and quality validation.

For aerospace manufacturers and MROs, this development introduces a new level of precision and efficiency in structural integrity assessments, composite inspections, and fatigue monitoring, areas where consistency and speed are critical to safety and operational readiness.

sentin’s EXPLORER Platform: Automating Accuracy

At the heart of the partnership is sentin’s EXPLORER platform, a proprietary AI engine that analyzes inspection data with high consistency, eliminating the variability of human interpretation. The system is designed to detect anomalies, validate data quality, and ensure compliance with industry standards, all while reducing turnaround times.

“While our competitors continue using manual interpretation methods by default, we’re implementing technology that fundamentally changes how inspections are delivered,” said Nathan VanderGriend, CEO of PROtect.

Christian Els, CEO of sentin, added, “Together, we’re establishing new standards for modern inspection services”.

AI in Aerospace NDT Is Ready for Prime Time

The aerospace industry has long relied on NDT to ensure the structural integrity of aircraft components, from fuselage skins to turbine blades. However, manual interpretation of inspection data can lead to inconsistent results and missed defects. AI-powered systems like EXPLORER offer a scalable solution to these challenges, enabling real-time analysis and predictive insights.

As aircraft become more complex and composite materials more prevalent, the need for advanced inspection tools grows. AI can enhance ultrasonic, radiographic, and visual inspection methods, making it easier to detect subsurface flaws, delaminations, and corrosion with greater reliability.

Broad Industry Reach with Aerospace Potential

PROtect currently serves nearly 1,000 clients across high-hazard industries including oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, power generation, and manufacturing. With 18 regional locations across the U.S., the company is well-positioned to extend its AI-powered inspection services into aerospace and defense sectors, where regulatory compliance and mission-critical reliability are paramount.

Future iterations of the partnership will expand to include additional NDT methods and advanced data analysis services, further enhancing the platform’s utility for aerospace applications.

What This Means for Aerospace Stakeholders

For aerospace engineers, quality assurance teams, and regulatory bodies, PROtect’s integration of AI into NDT represents a shift toward smarter, faster, and more reliable inspection workflows. The ability to automate defect detection and validate results in real time could reduce aircraft downtime, improve safety margins, and streamline certification processes.

As AI continues to permeate aerospace operations, from flight control systems to predictive maintenance, its role in inspection and compliance is becoming indispensable. PROtect and sentin’s partnership is a clear signal that the future of aerospace NDT is not just digital, but intelligent.