The brakes are capable of handling higher energy than the aircraft’s existing equipment, which increases the safety margin when stopping heavily loaded C-130s
6 May 2021: Collins Aerospace recently completed its first upgrade of the US Navy fleet of C-130T and KC-130T aircraft with new wheels and brakes. Collins’ C-130 brakes, which feature its proprietary DURACARB carbon heat sink material, can allow for 2,000 landings per overhaul compared to 250 landings per overhaul experienced by operators of the C-130’s current system. That lifespan is eight times longer, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost. In addition, the brakes are capable of handling higher energy than the aircraft’s existing equipment, which increases the safety margin when stopping heavily loaded C-130s.
Ajay Mahajan, Vice President, Landing Systems for Collins Aerospace said, “At Collins Aerospace, we’re committed to keeping our warfighters safe while delivering the most efficient solutions to our customers to help keep their aircraft in the air and that is exactly what our boltless wheels and carbon brakes will do for the US Navy.”
The boltless wheels feature an innovative lock-ring design and higher fatigue life than the current C-130 system, also reducing maintenance times and costs for operators. Additionally, the combined wheel and brake assembly contains 17 percent fewer parts than the C-130’s existing equipment, further simplifying maintenance and service.
