Collins Aerospace Will Develop New Wheels and Brakes for B-52 Bombers

As the U.S. Air Force extends the operational service life of the B-52 Stratofortress into the 2050s, it has selected Collins Aerospace to design and develop a new wheel and carbon brake for the platform, leading to fleet retrofit of 77 aircraft.

Collins will design the new wheel and carbon brake for the B-52H using the company’s proprietary DURACARB carbon heat sink material. With its increased wear life, DURACARB will allow the Stratofortress to conduct more landings per overhaul, helping to reduce maintenance time and cost while increasing aircraft availability. DURACARB’s ability to handle higher thermal energy loads during braking will also increase the safety margin when stopping heavily-loaded B-52s.

The company provides wheels and brakes for several military platforms - F-15, F-16, C-5, C-130 and Global Hawk fleets. It currently supplies generators, communication and navigation systems, environmental control systems, engine systems and sensors for the B-52.