Goodrich Corporation (NYSE: GR) has successfully completed development and qualification efforts for the new carbon brake and boltless wheels for the U.S. Air Force's fleet of C-130 transport aircraft. The Air Force is currently conducting flight tests with the new equipment while Goodrich's Aircraft Wheels & Brakes business starts production to support deliveries in the fourth quarter of 2011.
Goodrich's new C-130 Boltless Wheel and DURACARB carbon brake system is designed to maximize performance and reduce operating cost, providing eight times longer brake life and six times longer wheel life. Goodrich's proprietary DURACARB carbon material provides longer life, higher performance and lower cost of ownership compared to steel braking systems.
Its boltless aircraft wheels employ a lock-ring design, substantially lowering maintenance time and cost, in addition to reduced parts count, when compared to traditional bolted aircraft wheels. Goodrich aircraft wheels and brakes are in service on more than 23,000 military, commercial, regional and business aircraft produced by manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, Cessna, Embraer, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
Goodrich Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a global supplier of systems and services to aerospace, defense and homeland security markets. With one of the most strategically diversified portfolios of products in the industry, Goodrich serves a global customer base with significant worldwide manufacturing and service facilities. For more information visit http://www.goodrich.com/.