McDonnell Douglas (MDC) has begun installing the first shipset of redesigned main-landing-gear pods for its C-17 military transport. The pods were revised under the "design for manufacturing and assembly" concept, aimed at cutting production costs. Introduced from aircraft No 33, the pods are projected to save $45 million over the 88 aircraft still to be produced, says MDC. Bulkheads in the pod were redesigned for high-speed machining, the company adds, with one such bulkhead now consisting of two parts and 35 fasteners, compared with the previous 72 parts and 1,720 fasteners.
Source: Flight International
