UTC Aerospace Systems recently said it plans to deliver new boltless wheels and carbon brakes in September to retrofit the U.S. Air Force's 475 F-15 Eagle aircraft.
Plans for launching the parts follow approval from fleet manufacturer Boeing Defense, Space & Security in February after successful testing was completed. The boltless wheels use a lock ring design, while the new brakes are built for a lifespan up to four times that of the F-15’s current brakes.
"UTC Aerospace Systems is pleased to receive Boeing's installation approval, which we feel is a testament to the high degree of confidence they have in the increased performance and capability of our advanced wheels and brakes for the F-15 Eagle," Jeff Atkinson, director of military programs for the company's landing systems business unit, said in a release.
Two versions of the new parts are available: one for F-15C/D units and the other for the heavier F-15E craft. The variations have shared parts and similar design, and all are manufactured at UTC’s Troy, Ohio, and Santa Fe Springs, California, facilities.
"Our Duracarb brakes are capable of handling higher energy than the aircraft's existing system, which will increase the safety margin when stopping heavily-loaded F-15s,” Atkinson ssaid in the release. “In addition, our brakes achieve more landings before wear-out than the current system, while requiring significantly less maintenance, and our wheels have a higher fatigue life than the current equipment, significantly increasing the time on-wing before replacement is needed."
The delivery of the boltless wheels and carbon brakes supports a $22 million contract awarded in 2014 and a $30 million option awarded last year.
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