Actuation/Landing Gears Division
Overview
CIRCOR Aerospace, Inc.'s Actuation/Landing Gear Division is a leading designer and manufacturer of actuation and landing gear systems and related components. In the landing gear business since 1969, CIRCOR Aerospace has worked with all the major airframers supporting both fixed winged and rotary wing aircraft.
Major programs include new, fully dressed landing gear for the CH-47 “Chinook” helicopter, as well as complete repair/remanufactured gear assemblies, overhauled components, and spare parts for the CH-47 & CH-46 helicopters, steering actuators for the Global Hawk UAV, landing gear and door actuation products for the V-22, and landing gear components for the F-16.
CIRCOR Aerospace has a license from Boeing to use certain Boeing proprietary rotorcraft data in manufacturing CH-47 landing gear spare parts, and to support the overhaul and repair of CH-47 landing gears. This allows CIRCOR Aerospace to support the CH-47 fleets around the world.
Working in response to a request from the U.S. Air Force, CIRCOR Aerospace has developed a new, improved nose wheel steering actuator for the F-16 Fighter. The new actuator will significantly reduce aircraft maintenance time and cost for F-16 operators.
CAI’s engineers have an extensive history of developing actuators for various aircraft systems, including door and landing gear deployment, as well as other specialized actuation applications for mission and flight critical systems.
CAI also excels in overhaul activity, working on a wide range of military aircraft while maintaining its FAA Repair Station Certification (JN3R611L) for support of commercial aircraft.
Design
CIRCOR Aerospace has a proven reputation as an engineering “Solutions” company for new aircraft systems and components. CIRCOR Aerospace’s experience dates as far back as the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works very successful SR-71 Blackbird and U-2 programs. For over 30 years, CIRCOR Aerospace has designed Landing Gear Systems, Shock Struts, Nosewheel Steering Actuators, Steering Damping Systems, Valves, Regulators, Manifolds, and Ground Support Equipment for fixed wing and rotor aircraft for both military and commercial applications. CIRCOR Aerospace design capabilities include specialized test equipment with automated data collection and plotting features.
As an engineering “Solutions” company, CIRCOR Aerospace advocates early involvement and participation in the design process for new aircraft systems. The CIRCOR Aerospace team can prepare concept proposals from customer-provided initial design and performance criteria to assist in the budgeting and feasibility analysis process.
- F-16 Nosewheel Steering Actuator
Most recently, CIRCOR Aerospace has designed and manufactured an improved Nosewheel Steering Actuator for the F-16 aircraft.
CIRCOR Aerospace continues to demonstrate successful reverse engineering capabilities for upgrading of existing systems to improve reliability and reduce costs. In the area of Ground Equipment, CIRCOR Aerospace has designed a Shock Strut Service Unit that optimizes the operating characteristics of struts by an enhanced bleed & fill system. The Shock Strut Service Unit significantly reduces service time and extends gear maintenance intervals.
Our engineering team utilizes project management tools, solid modeling, and electronic file interchange so that we can effectively manage, communicate and deliver on time and on budget.
CIRCOR Aerospace is a proven engineering solutions company for new aircraft systems and components. Including complete Landing Gear Systems, Actuators, Steering Damping Actuators, Valves, Manifolds, and Ground Support Equipment
Manufacturing
For over 30 years, CIRCOR Aerospace has performed a broad range of Prototyping and Manufacturing services for Landing Gear Systems, Actuators, Steering Damping Actuators, Valves, Manifolds, and components for the Aerospace Industry. CIRCOR Aerospace’s Quality System is AS9100/ISO9001 Compliant, with both Nadcap and D6-82479 Appendix A approvals. CIRCOR Aerospace is an authorized FAA Repair Station, Certificate Number JN3R611L.
CIRCOR Aerospace’s Manufacturing operations are currently located in Corona, California in a modern 35,000 sq. ft. facility.
Our in-house manufacturing operations include but are not limited to the following equipment and capabilities:
- 6 CNC machining centers
- 16 Milling Machines with the largest table of 30″ × 90″
- 11 Lathes with the largest swing of 90″ by 144″
- 3 Radial Drill Presses with the largest work area of 24″ by 72″
- 3 Hones with a maximum of 5 inch hone diameter
- 1 Gap Grinding machine
- 2 Boring mills
- Extensive Inspection equipment including Cordax CMM & Deltronic Optical Comparator
- Non-destructive Testing including Magnaflux Magnetic Particle Inspection, Penetrant Inspection
- 13 Hydraulic / pneumatic test stands
- 2 Vapor Degreasing units
- Paint and finish removal utilizing high pressure media blasting
- Drive through paint booth and cure oven
CIRCOR Aerospace’s most recent equipment addition, a new DAEWOO 500 machining center with two 20″ × 20″ pallets
CIRCOR Aerospace continues to support the following major aerospace partners and programs:| BOEING | A-4, CH-46, CH-47, F-18, KC-135, V-22, 727, DC-9, MD-80 |
|---|---|
| LOCKHEED MARTIN | C-130, F-16, P-3, SR-71, U-2, F-117 |
| NORTHROP GRUMMAN | B-2, F-5, T-38, S-2 |
| ROCKWELL | OV-10 |
| NORTH AMERICAN | T-39 |
| US COAST GUARD | C-130 |
| USAF | Components and assemblies to support many of the aircraft listed above |
| CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT of FORESTRY | S-2, OV-10 |
Our strength is the manufacturing expertise we can dedicate to your project or program, please contact us either by phone, fax, or e-mail and let us demonstrate how we can be your Total Solutions Partner!
CIRCOR Aerospace prototyping and manufacturing services for Landing Gear Systems, Actuators, Steering Damping Actuators, Valves, Manifolds, and components for the Aerospace Industry.
Testing
CIRCOR Aerospace can design and implement customized test programs to address actuation loads, endurance cycling, accelerated life cycle testing, including thermal cycling with temperature ranges from −65°F to +300°F. CIRCOR Aerospace can design and fabricate specialized automated product/assembly test units that collect and plot test result data.
CIRCOR Aerospace can design a customized test program or test unit for your specific product qualification, design validation, and program requirements.
These customized test systems include:
- Computer generated input drive commands
- Closed loop servo controlled applied loads
- Data Acquisition with sampling rates at 200+ per second
- Real time video data display and disc storage
- Numerical and graphic data printout
CIRCOR Aerospace has utilized these extensive testing capabilities for Northrop B-2 and Boeing V-22 life cycle/fatigue tests as well as Lockheed Martin’s Dark Star program for design development and validation testing.
To support ongoing production as well as overhaul operations, CIRCOR Aerospace has the following in-house capabilities:
- Landing Gear spin up and drop test capabilities that simulate gross aircraft weight and dynamic landing conditions
- 13 Test Stands
- Hydraulic Test Units 100 to 5000 PSI
- Hydraulic / Pneumatic Test Units up to 12,000 PSI
- Non Destructive Testing which includes Dye Penetrant and Magnetic Particle Inspection
- Full functional testing capabilities for assemblies and components for ongoing production as well as refurbished assemblies
- Test Fluid Quality Control which assures the consistency of the test media