The detection and assessment of existing corrosion, or the onset thereof, in aircraft structures, related systems and components is of major concern to the United States aviation community. In this work several types of ion- and photon-beam analytical techniques were applied to the detection and assessment of corrosion. A method of laboratory classification of surface corrosion, and the identification of a corrosion preventative compound (CPC)applied on skin material removed from aircraft structures was developed. The results of this research will be useful in the development of instrumentation and inspection techniques to detect and assess corrosion. These techniques also will be useful in studying the mechanisms and efficacy of current and future CPCs. Developed instrumentation and inspection techniques have enormous potential for commercial and military application in many areas, including the transportation, nuclear, petroleum, and building sectors.