Jul 16 2006
Goodrich Corporation has signed an agreement with Stork SP Aerospace to supply Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC) for use in landing gear system applications.
According to Mike Brand, President, Goodrich Landing Gear, "Composites are a key component of future landing gear designs as they help us to meet two critical demands in the marketplace -- reduction of overall aircraft weight and improved efficiency. Stork has refined its design and manufacturing process to the point that application and certification for a wide range of commercial transport and military platforms are now readily possible. Furthermore, composite manufacturing site flexibility enables us to have a Stork presence on-site at any of our world-wide Goodrich Landing Gear facilities allowing us to manage just-in-time delivery and incorporation of the composite technology into our landing gear."
Brand continued, "Our established position as a technology leader in landing gear systems combined with Stork's advanced composite design and manufacturing capabilities made this arrangement a natural solution for our customers. With the rapidly rising cost and lead-time of steel and titanium, advanced composites are now attractive from a cost perspective as well as offering substantial weight savings and lead-time reduction of landing gear structural components. Composite material technologies are being incorporated throughout new aircraft platforms providing weight improvements over metallic material without compromising performance. Goodrich Landing Gear, in partnership with Stork SP Aerospace, will seek to incorporate PMC structural elements into current and future programs as quickly as practical for our customers."
An example of a large commercial transport lower drag brace fabricated and tested with Stork's proven composite technology will be on display in Goodrich's Pavilion, Outside OE5, during Farnborough International.