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CASE STUDY

Spherical Bearings for an Unmanned Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Overview

A major defense contractor required aerospace-grade spherical bearings for the landing gear system of a next-generation unmanned aerial refueling aircraft. The mission-critical nature of the program, combined with strict military quality standards and tight production timelines, demanded a supplier with proven engineering expertise, precision manufacturing, and agile delivery capabilities. Radial Bearing delivered on all fronts, helping keep the project on schedule and earning additional program involvement.

The Challenge

This was a new application with no previous supplier. The customer’s design called for large-diameter spherical bearings made with aerospace-grade alloys, capable of withstanding the extreme mechanical loads and operating conditions of a military aircraft’s landing gear. Key challenges included:

  • Tight Schedule: The customer needed delivery in half the standard lead time.
  • Precision Requirements: Bearings had to meet stringent military-grade quality and tolerance standards.
  • Complex Manufacturing: The larger bearing sizes required custom fixturing and careful handling during production.
Bearings had to meet stringent military-grade quality and tolerance standards.

The Solution

Radial Bearing supplied three precision-engineered spherical bearings for the landing gear assembly:

  • RWCR-20VT: 1-1/4″ bearing
  • RWCR-36VT: 2-1/4″ bearing
  • RWCR-44VT: 2-3/4″ bearing

 

All three featured:

  • 440C heat-treated and chrome-plated stainless steel balls
  • 17-4PH heat-treated stainless steel races

 

Additional highlights:

  • Aerospace Materials & Tolerances: Designed for durability, corrosion resistance, and reliability in critical defense environments.
  • Rapid Turnaround: Delivered by December 20th after quoting in early October, cutting normal lead time by 50%.
  • Production Agility: Radial Bearing modified fixturing to accommodate larger part sizes and met all spec requirements on the first implementation.
Radial Bearing modified fixturing to accommodate larger part sizes and met all spec requirements on the first implementation.

The Results

The defense contractor received all components on time and to spec, allowing their engineering team to maintain program milestones. The project’s success led to additional business on future development efforts in the customer’s engineering lab.

  • Timeline Met: Fast-tracked delivery avoided schedule disruptions.
  • No Quality Issues: Parts passed all military and aerospace quality standards.
  • Expanded Relationship: Radial Bearing became a trusted partner for new development work.

Get Started on Your Project

Put reliable control in the hands of the world’s drivers, pilots, and equipment operators with the expertise and support of Radial Bearing. Contact us today to discuss your needs.

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