Collins Aerospace to invest US$225 million in landing systems facility expansions

Collins Aerospace Systems plans to open a new landing systems facility in Fort Worth, Texas, and to expand its carbon brake manufacturing facility in Spokane, Washington. An expansion of the company’s carbon brake manufacturing facility in Pueblo, Colorado, is already underway.

The announcement reflects the growth of the company’s landing systems business in recent years, driven by increasing demand for its wheels, brakes and landing gear from commercial, military and business aviation customers. Key to the company’s success has been its ability to provide customers with innovative solutions to improve operational performance. For example, Collins Aerospace’s patented DURACARB® carbon friction material delivers an average 35% longer brake life over competing carbon materials, enabling airlines to decrease maintenance time and realize additional cost savings.

At its new 110,000-ft² facility in Fort Worth, Collins Aerospace will perform wheel & brake maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) operations as well as landing gear assembly. The addition of wheel & brake MRO capacity in Fort Worth will put the company closer to key airline customers in the region. The new facility will also combine the company’s current Fort Worth landing gear operations, while increasing shop floor space 30% over its existing landing gear facility. The company expects to create 40 new jobs at the site.