Newly-combined undercarriage specialist Messier-Bugatti-Dowty intends to improve the robustness of the Airbus A320neo's landing gear having been selected to supply the assemblies for the twinjet family.
It will provide the nose-gear and main landing-gear for the re-engined type under an extended contract with the European airframer.
The company already supplies these systems for the baseline versions of the A320 family.
"We will progressively embody minor modifications, such as local reinforcements to major structural components on both gears, including main fittings, sliders and side stays," it said.
These modifications will help extend time before overhaul from 10 to 12 years, it added, and also build into the gear the structural capability necessary for the A320neo.
In terms of material choice, the landing gear remains primarily a steel and aluminium gear.
"This extension builds upon our joint success with Airbus in this dynamic market segment to provide an enhanced product which offers increased cost-efficiency and support services for operators, while still maintaining product commonality between existing and future Airbus single-aisle fleets," Alain Sauret, chief executive of Messier-Bugatti-Dowty, said.
The manufacturer added that it would "progressively offer enhancements" to the current single-aisle landing gear from 2014 to ensure a "seamless transition" into A320neo deliveries from 2015, and added that the changes would "ensure maximum commonality" between current and future assemblies.
Airbus has secured orders and commitments for some 1,160 A320neo-family aircraft, including the 130 selected by American Airlines. Last week, Lufthansa firmed its order for 25 A320neo and five A321neo jets.
Source: Flight International
