DEVELOPMENT OF UNIQUE AND PROMISING EXPANDABLE TIRE SUBSYSTEM FOR AN ADVANCED CAPABILITY OF LANDING AND TAKE-OFF FROM ROUGH UNIMPROVED AREAS.
Abstract
The contractor fabricated a series of expandable aircraft tires in two sizes: 9.50 x 16 and 23.00 x 20; both of Type III construction. A co-lateral test and evaluation program was run by the Air Force Flight Dynamics Laboratory. Intermediate test results were used as a basis of tire refinement and improvement. These tires provide an inflated diameter 30 to 50% greater than the diameter as stored deflated in the wheel-well. Tire durability was proven when: (1) One 9.50 x 16 tire completed 60 mission cycles simulating operation as a C-141 main tire (a Type VII tire application). (2) One 9.50 x 16 and one 23.00 x 20 tire completed the dynamic requirements of MIL-T-5041D. (3) One 9.50 x 16 Tire completed the dynamic requirements of MIL-T-5041D with 100 of the 200 landings performed at 50% tire deflection (an inflation pressure reduction of 40%). (4) One 23.00 x 20 tire completed 80 take-offs, 100 landings and 1 aborted take-off cycle simulating operation of a heavy cargo type aircraft (a Type VII tire application). An additional advantage was demonstrated when a simulated high speed landing test was successfully completed on a 9.50 x 16 expandable tire while in the deflated, folded position. This indicates that the tire has the potential for landing safely even though it may have been damaged. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0816524
Entities
People
- Edward M. Tatarzycki
- J. F. Heimovics Jr.