UTC Aerospace Systems (Chalet A330, Hall Concorde 35) has won a contract from Virgin Atlantic Airways to supply the wheels, carbon brakes and MRO services for the airline’s fleet of 16 Boeing 787-9s, the first of which the airframer plans to deliver in September 2014. UTC Aerospace said it would supply the parts through its Wheels & Brakes division, based in Troy, Ohio.
The carbon brakes on the 787-9 use UTC’s Duracarb carbon heat sink material, which, according the company, lasts 35 percent longer than competitive products.
Heavily involved in so-called “more electric” airplane studies, UTC Aerospace Systems recently partnered with Embraer on a demonstration of the next generation of electric brakes. The test equipment included electrically actuated brakes and electro-mechanical actuator controllers. Technology experts from both companies collaborated over 18 months to prepare for a series of tests on an Embraer ERJ145.
Also a major Airbus supplier, UTC Aerospace recently won honors from the Toulouse-based airframer as part of its Supply Chain Quality Improvement Program. UTC’s interior lighting division received a Gold Best Performer award for the second year in a row for achieving a 99.85-percent on-time delivery rating last year. UTC’s propeller division won an award for most improved supplier and its landing gear division won a notable mention for its 100-percent delivery record in each of the last three years.
