UTC Aerospace Systems has been awarded a contract to supply upgraded wheels and brakes for the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) C-130J Super Hercules tactical transport aircraft fleet.
The C-130 wheels and brakes to be supplied under the contract are claimed to feature the latest in technology and industry-leading innovation.
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UTC Aerospace Systems Wheels and Brakes Military Programs director Jeff Atkinson said the selection demonstrates RAAF’s confidence in the company’s innovative and service-proven technology.
”In 2013 we completed delivery of these advanced wheels and brakes to the US Air Force for their C-130 fleet upgrade,” Atkinson said.
The carbon brakes use proprietary Duracarb carbon heat sink material, which provides eight times longer life than the existing steel brake, and significant performance improvement in brake cooling time that enables aircraft flight crews to rapidly depart tactical areas following cargo delivery.
The boltless wheels employ a lock-ring design, which significantly lowers maintenance time and cost, apart from reducing parts count, when compared to legacy bolted aircraft wheels.
Equipment delivery to RAAF at Richmond Air Base, New South Wales, Australia, is scheduled to take place in May 2014.
Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the C-130J Super Hercules is designed for airborne assault, search-and-rescue (SAR), scientific research support, weather reconnaissance and aerial refuelling, as well as maritime patrol and aerial fire fighting missions.
Fitted with a glass cockpit, digital avionics and a new propulsion system with a six-bladed propeller, the aircraft is a longer fuselage or stretched combat delivery variant of legacy C-130 Hercules, and can accommodate a payload of up to 20t and more than 90 passengers.
The aircraft is also operational with the air forces in Canada, Denmark, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Kuwait, Norway, Oman, Qatar, the UK and the US.
Image: A Royal Australian Air Force’s C-130J Super Hercules aircraft in flight. Photo: courtesy of Allan Henderson.
