An aircraft backscatter inspection apparatus comprising: a radiation source configured to emit x-ray radiation; a collimator configured to form a beam using a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source; a detector system configured to detect backscatter formed in response to the beam encountering an object; a bearing system configured to connect the collimator to the radiation source, wherein the bearing system comprises: a first structure connected with the radiation source; and a second structure connected to the first structure and configured to hold the collimator; and a movement system configured to move the second structure of the bearing system such that the second structure rotates in one of a plurality of directions substantially about a center point in the radiation source while the radiation source remains stationary relative to the second structure, wherein rotation of the second structure substantially about the center point changes a direction in which the beam formed by the collimator is directed, wherein the second structure is moveably connected to the first structure and configured to rotate in the one of the plurality of directions substantially about the center point around the first structure within a selected range of degrees while the first structure remains stationary, and wherein a first end of the second structure has a concave spherical shape configured to substantially conform to a curved shape of the first structure and wherein a second end of the second structure has an elongate shape. a radiation source configured to emit x-ray radiation; a collimator configured to form a beam using a portion of the radiation emitted by the radiation source; a detector system configured to detect backscatter formed in response to the beam encountering an object; a bearing system configured to connect the collimator to the radiation source, wherein the bearing system comprises: a first structure connected with the radiation source; and a second structure connected to the first structure and configured to hold the collimator; and a movement system configured to move the second structure of the bearing system such that the second structure rotates in one of a plurality of directions substantially about a center point in the radiation source while the radiation source remains stationary relative to the second structure, wherein rotation of the second structure substantially about the center point changes a direction in which the beam formed by the collimator is directed, wherein the second structure is moveably connected to the first structure and configured to rotate in the one of the plurality of directions substantially about the center point around the first structure within a selected range of degrees while the first structure remains stationary, and wherein a first end of the second structure has a concave spherical shape configured to substantially conform to a curved shape of the first structure and wherein a second end of the second structure has an elongate shape. a first structure connected with the radiation source; and a second structure connected to the first structure and configured to hold the collimator; and a movement system configured to move the second structure of the bearing system such that the second structure rotates in one of a plurality of directions substantially about a center point in the radiation source while the radiation source remains stationary relative to the second structure, wherein rotation of the second structure substantially about the center point changes a direction in which the beam formed by the collimator is directed, wherein the second structure is moveably connected to the first structure and configured to rotate in the one of the plurality of directions substantially about the center point around the first structure within a selected range of degrees while the first structure remains stationary, and wherein a first end of the second structure has a concave spherical shape configured to substantially conform to a curved shape of the first structure and wherein a second end of the second structure has an elongate shape.