AIRCRAFT STRUCTURES DESIGNED WITH COMPOSITE MATERIALS PRESENT A HOST OF NEW PROBLEMS FOR THE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT COMMUNITIES. COMPOSITE DAMAGE IS DIFFICULT TO DETECT AND REPAIR USING THE SUPPORT SYSTEM CURRENTLY SET UP FOR METALLIC MATERIALS. MAINTENANCE TECHNICIANS DO NOT HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OR EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO PERFORM COST EFFECTIVE AND TIMELY ON-AIRCRAFT REPAIRS. AN EFFECTIVE SUPPORT SYSTEM PROMOTES INCREASED COMPOSITE USAGE, REDUCED LIFE CYCLE COST, AND INCREASED AIRCRAFT AVAILABILITY. VENDORS MUST DEVELOP MATERIALS THAT ARE SUITABLE FOR A REPAIR ENVIRONMENT. MANUFACTURERS MUST DESIGN AIRCRAFT THAT CAN BE REPAIRED WITH SIMPLE PATCHES. TECHNICIANS NEED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING TO USE THE SUPPORT SYSTEM EFFECTIVELY. USERS BENEFIT FROM EACH OF THESE ACTIVITIES THROUGH REDUCED OPERATING AND SUPPORT COSTS AND INCREASED AVAILABILITY OF AN AIRCRAFT TO PERFORM ITS DESIGNED FUNCTION