A field deployable infrared imaging (FDIR) system and method for inspecting a composite component comprises a hand-held long-wave IR camera to capture a thermal image of the composite component, wherein the camera has an adjustable temperature control that captures an image with a 10 degree working range, a frame capture rate of at least 1 second for a length of time of not less than 90 seconds; and a processor for post-processing the thermal image using a second order derivative algorithm wherein the post-processed thermal image shows the defect better than the captured infrared image, and detects the one or more defects in the composite component.