A moisture detection system for detecting moisture in a composite sandwich panel comprising: an electromagnetic radiation system; an infrared detector system including an infrared camera configured to generate frames (512, 514, 516) during which infrared radiation is detected by the infrared camera, wherein each frame represents a period of time during which photons are detected for generating an image of the infrared radiation; and a controller in communication with the electromagnetic radiation system and the infrared detector system; wherein the controller is configured to: control operation of the electromagnetic radiation system and the infrared detector system using a time window (128, 510) to synchronize heating with detection of the infrared radiation; control the electromagnetic radiation system to transmit a pulse of electromagnetic radiation into the composite sandwich panel wherein the pulse of electromagnetic radiation has at least one wavelength that is absorbed by water molecules in the moisture in the composite sandwich panel; control the infrared detector system to detect an amount of infrared radiation generated in the composite sandwich panel in response to transmitting the pulse of electromagnetic radiation into the composite sandwich panel, which heats the composite sandwich panel, using the time window selected to detect the amount of infrared radiation when the pulse of electromagnetic radiation heats the composite sandwich panel, wherein the amount of infrared radiation indicates a level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel, and wherein a width of the time window is selected such that the time window encompasses all of pulse of electromagnetic radiation; characterized in that the controller is further configured to determine the level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel using the amount of infrared radiation detected and energy for the pulse of electromagnetic radiation sent into the composite sandwich panel. an electromagnetic radiation system; an infrared detector system including an infrared camera configured to generate frames (512, 514, 516) during which infrared radiation is detected by the infrared camera, wherein each frame represents a period of time during which photons are detected for generating an image of the infrared radiation; and a controller in communication with the electromagnetic radiation system and the infrared detector system; control operation of the electromagnetic radiation system and the infrared detector system using a time window (128, 510) to synchronize heating with detection of the infrared radiation; control the electromagnetic radiation system to transmit a pulse of electromagnetic radiation into the composite sandwich panel wherein the pulse of electromagnetic radiation has at least one wavelength that is absorbed by water molecules in the moisture in the composite sandwich panel; control the infrared detector system to detect an amount of infrared radiation generated in the composite sandwich panel in response to transmitting the pulse of electromagnetic radiation into the composite sandwich panel, which heats the composite sandwich panel, using the time window selected to detect the amount of infrared radiation when the pulse of electromagnetic radiation heats the composite sandwich panel, wherein the amount of infrared radiation indicates a level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel, and wherein a width of the time window is selected such that the time window encompasses all of pulse of electromagnetic radiation; characterized in that the controller is further configured to determine the level of moisture in the composite sandwich panel using the amount of infrared radiation detected and energy for the pulse of electromagnetic radiation sent into the composite sandwich panel.