Multipoint strain sensing is crucial to Integrated Systems Health Management (ISHM) for aerospace structures. Strain sensing with commonly used resistive foil gages is typically restricted to less than 400°C, is subject to electromagnetic interference and installation is labor intensive. By contrast, light-weight fiber optic sensors have the potential for noise-free measurement to much higher temperatures with electromagnetic interference immunity, electrical passivity and thus safety in explosive environments, and remote access. Fiber optic grating sensors are also multiplexable and precise, but standard gratings are subject to high-temperature degradation. However, IFOS is developing special fiber grating based strain sensors that significantly extend the maximum temperature at which accurate strain sensing is achievable to 800°C and beyond, thus filling a particular need for users of high-temperature health monitoring of (a) jet and other high temperature engines, (b) thermal protection systems – including those on leading and trailing edges of aircraft and in re-entry protection for shuttle and other space vehicles, and (c) satellite space vehicles. Further applications include instrumentation for fire warning systems, furnaces, nuclear power plants, high-temperature automotive engine sensors, oil refinery and drilling, chemical sensors, and homeland security sensor systems. While our focus is on reliable high-temperature strain measurements, the system will also have the potential for extension to simultaneous measurement of strain, vibration, acceleration, and temperature, and, with appropriately coated gratings, sensitivity to various chemicals and biochemicals, and applicable to gases in combustion environments and high temperature spectroscopy.