Fact Sheet Display

OL-AC - LGTF

Unique Capabilities

Variable inertia dynamometers - Tire, wheel and brake testing.

Fixed inertia dynamometers - Tire wear, qualification and friction measurement on replicated runway surfaces.

Tire Force - Mechanical properties.

Compression and tension load applicators - Force vs Deflection.

4 Drop Towers - Impact Testing.

Burst Pit - Strength Testing.

Dynamic Load Simulator

Fatigue Test Machine

Runway Condition Reading (RCR) Measurement

Runway Surface Replication and Friction Measurement


Use

Simulates real-world operating conditions:

- Aircraft tires.
- Aircraft wheels.
- Aircraft brakes.
- Entire landing gears.

The Landing Gear Test Facility (LGTF) is operated by the 704th Test Group (704 TG/OL-AC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton OH. The Aerospace Survivability and Safety Operating Location is part of the 704th Test Group at Holloman AFB, N.M. The LGTF is the United States Air Force responsible test organization for landing gear testing and has served the Department of Defense, NASA and other government agencies and commercial entities for more than 40 years. This facility is known for producing reliable and impartial test results that can be counted on for accuracy. The mission of the LFTF is to provide landing gear component testing services to customer-supplied specifications. The facility has equipment to simulate real-world operating conditions for aircraft tires, wheels, brakes and entire integrated landing gear assemblies, so that you, the customer, get real-world answers. We are dedicated to producing meaningful testing results.

Test Applications

Tires

- Dynamic and Static Testing.
- Tread Wear Testing.
- Footprint Pressure and Slip Testing.
- Physical Properties Testing.
- Non-Destructive Testing.
- Hydrostatic Burst Testing.

Wheels and Brakes

- Brake Dynamic and Static Torque.
- Brake Qualification and Wear Testing.
- Rejected Take-off.
- Wheel Roll.
- Wheel Combined and Static Load Testing.
- Hydrostatic Burst Testing.

Landing Gear

- Landing Impact (Drop) Tests.
- Load Stroke Tests.
- Durability, Fatigue, Stability and Stiffness.
- Shimmy, Shock and Vibration Tests.
- Service Life Testing.

Test Assets

Variable Inertia Dynamometers - Tire/Wheel/Brake Testing.
192 in. - speeds to 200 MPH, tires to 140 inches, loads to 300,000lbs.
84in. - speeds to 250 MPH, tires to 64 inches, loads to 40,000 lbs.

Fixed Inertia Dynamometers - Tire Wear/Qualification.
168 in. (Internal Drum) - speeds to 350 MPH - Thermal soak (+250ºF to -80ºF).
120 in. - speeds to 350 MPH, tires to 72 inches, loads to 150,000 lbs.

Tire Force - Mechanical Properties - Resolve all 6 components of the reaction forces as the tire rolls. Sensor array measures pressures and slip at the tire footprint.

Compression/Tension Load Applicators - Force vs. Deflection.
3,000,000 lbs. compression, 1,000,000 lbs. tension, 60 inch stroke.
200,000 lbs. compression, 200,000 lbs. tension, 12 in. stroke.

4 Drop Towers - Impact Testing
150,000 lbs. load and 25 foot travel.
35,000 lbs. load and 25 foot travel.
10,300 lbs. load and 20 foot travel.
3,600 lbs. load and 15 foot travel.

Burst Pit - Strength Testing
Vibration:25 in. double aplitude to 0.4 Hz, 30 in. /second velocity to 3 Hz, 2G acceleration to 50 Hz.
Shock to 100,000 lbs. deadweight. 120,000 lbs. impulse load.

Fatigue Test Machine

Test Support

Test Engineering - Requirements definition, test planning and test methods, scheduling, oversight, analysis and reporting.

Instrumentation - Customized measurements of strain, load, pressure, temperature and displacement. High speed video.

Design - Tooling and fixture design tailored to exacting specification of each test plan.

Fabrication - In-house machine shop and established vendor team for quick turnaround test preparation.

Data Reduction and Reporting - We offer complete data reduction and processing services tailored to customer needs.

Point of Contact

704 TG/OL-AC
937-255-9193/2663/9217
DSN: 785-9193/2663/9217
FAX: 937-656-5370


LANDING GEAR TEST FACILITY

Overview

The Landing Gear Test Facility (LGTF) has been a cornerstone of aerospace testing at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base since 1942, dedicated to ensuring the reliability and performance of aircraft landing gear systems.

Throughout its history, the LGTF has supported the warfighter by providing critical data to enhance the safety and effectiveness of landing gear, wheels, tires, and brakes, directly contributing to the mission of the United States Department of Defense. In addition to its military focus, the LGTF offers comprehensive testing services to commercial entities, employing world-unique test machines capable of simulating real-life conditions with unparalleled accuracy.

Guided by the core values of Integrity, Service, and Excellence, the LGTF consistently delivers precise and dependable data to both military and commercial partners.

Test Machine Capabilities

 

 Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 250 mph
Max Acceleration: 21 ft/s2
Inertial Equivalent: 2,445 - 20,063 lbs.
Max Kinetic Energy: 41,750,000 ft-lbs.
 

South Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 40,000 lbs.
Max Torque: 375,000 in-lbs.
Max Tire Size: 64 in
 

North Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 25,000 lbs.
Max Torque: 72,000 in-lbs.
Max Tire Size: 48 in

Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 350 mph
Max Acceleration: 24 ft/s2

South Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 150,000 lbs.
Max Yaw: ± 20°
Max Camber: ± 20°

North Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 100,000 lbs.

 

Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 200 mph
Max Acceleration: 2 ft/s2
Inertial Equivalent: 10,147 - 162,987 lbs.
Max Kinetic Energy: 205,000,000 ft-lbs.

South Carriage Specifications:

Max Load: 301,500 lbs.
Max Brake Torque: 5,800,000 in-lbs.

Overall System Specifications:

Max Speed: 250 mph
Max Acceleration: 16 ft/s2
Max Vertical Load: 150,000 lbs.
Max Yaw: ± 20°
Max Camber: ± 10°

Overall System Specifications:

Max Compressive Load: 3,000,000 lbs.
Max Tension Load: 1,000,000 lbs.
Max Stroke: 60 in
Max Height: 28 ft
Max Width: 10 ft
Platen Size: 60.5 x 96 in

Overall System Specifications:

Max Vertical Load: 75,000 lbs.
Max Side Load: 30,000 lbs.
Max Yaw: ± 90°
Max Camber: ± 10°
Max Tire Size: 56 in.
Table Length: 20 ft.
Max Travel Speed: 3 in/s
Roll Distance: 217 in

 

Overall System Specifications:

Below-grade safety enclosure
Dimensions: 72 x 120 x 126 in.
Water Pressure Limit: 5,000 psi
Rate of Inflation: 10 psi/min

Drop Tower #1

Load Range: 750 - 3,600 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 3,600 lbs.
 

Drop Tower #2

Load Range: 2,000 - 10,300 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 10,300 lbs.
 

Drop Tower #3

Load Range: 6,500 - 50,000 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 35,000 lbs.
 

Drop Tower #4

Load Range: 35,000 - 150,000 lbs.
Wing Lift: 200 - 150,000 lbs.

Load frame that accommodates multiple hydraulic cylinders to provide controlled forcing and operational stresses to test objects in all 6 axes.

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CONTACT US

704 TG/OL-ACL
Landing Gear Test Facility
Area B, Bldg. 31
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433
(937) 255-9216
704.tg.olac@us.af.mil

WHERE TO FIND US