Translation note: This article was translated with the assistance of AI.
Bridgestone has unveiled a new generation of radial tires for the main landing gear of the Boeing 737-8 and 737 NG family. The Japanese manufacturer says the tires can accommodate more than 20% more landings before they need replacement. Initial operators are already using them in regular airline service.
New Rubber Compound Designed to Reduce Tire Wear
A modified rubber compound, an optimized tire contact patch and a reinforced sidewall design provide the basis for the improved wear resistance. Among the innovations Bridgestone employs is its NanoPro-Tech technology, which distributes carbon black particles more evenly throughout the rubber compound.
Development drew on operational data from partner airlines and the company’s own simulation methods. These inputs helped Bridgestone refine the contact characteristics between the tire and runway across different operating conditions.
Alongside the increase in landings, the new tires are expected to cut uneven wear by more than 20%. This could lower the frequency of unscheduled tire replacements and improve aircraft availability.
The design also allows tire casings to be reused through retreading. In this process, the worn tread is replaced while much of the original tire remains in place.
The reported gains concern the number of landings achievable before tire replacement and overall wear characteristics. They do not necessarily translate into an equivalent increase in the structural service life of the tire casing. Performance in service varies with operating conditions. Bridgestone intends to introduce the technology on additional aircraft types starting in 2027.