This viewgraph presentation reviews Dryden 's efforts to develop in - flight monitoring based on Fiber Optics . One of the motivating factors for this development was the breakup of the Helios aircraft . On Ikhana the use of fiber optics for wing shape sensing is being developed . They are being used to flight validate fiber optic sensor measurements and real - time wing shape sensing predictions on NASA 's Ikhana vehicle ; validate fiber optic mathematical models and design tools ; Assess technical viability and , if applicable , develop methodology and approach to incorporate wing shape measurements within the vehicle flight control system , and develop and flight validate advanced approaches to perform active wing shape control .