Goodyear to Supply Advanced Flight Radial Tires for Airbus A321XLR in 2024
Goodyear, the renowned tire manufacturer, has exciting news for aviation enthusiasts. Airbus has chosen Goodyear as the supplier for the tires on its highly anticipated A321XLR aircraft, set to take flight in 2024.
The Airbus A321XLR will be equipped with Goodyear’s cutting-edge Flight Radial Tire, representing one of the company’s most technologically advanced aviation products. Notably, this tire boasts exceptional dimensional stability, resulting in an extended lifespan and improved cut resistance.
Among its impressive features, the Flight Radial Tire’s radial construction is designed to facilitate more landings, while an optimized bead design helps to reduce overall weight, ensuring enhanced performance and efficiency.
Octavian Velcan, managing director of OTR & Aviation EMEA, expressed the company’s delight in being selected by Airbus for this crucial role. Velcan highlighted that the primary focus during the product’s development was striking the right balance between robustness and weight reduction. The collaboration between Goodyear and Airbus culminated in an optimized bead design and the use of aerospace-quality materials, aligning perfectly with Airbus’s business requirements.
Notably, Goodyear’s ultra-weight tire has been granted system part certification from Airbus, attesting to its quality and suitability for the A321XLR.
The Flight Radial Tire will offer the Airbus A321XLR several advantages, including Featherweight Aluminum Core Bead Technology, which employs aluminum cord beads to save weight without compromising on tire and bead geometry, strength, and durability.
Additionally, the innovative Merged Cord Technology, combining DuPont Kevlar® and nylon, enhances strength while reducing weight and increasing resistance to foreign object damage, ensuring long tread life.
Moreover, the DiamondWeave Belt Technology plays a crucial role in optimizing tire performance, featuring specialized cord placement for superior treadwear.
As a company with a rich history spanning over a century, Goodyear is celebrating its 125-year anniversary in 2023, a testament to its enduring commitment to innovation and excellence.
However, it’s worth noting that earlier this year, in March 2023, Airbus alerted airlines about the possibility of slight delays in the initial deliveries of the Airbus A321XLR, attributed to some modifications and enhancements in the A321neo, which promises extended range and increased seating capacity.
With Goodyear’s Flight Radial Tires soon to grace the Airbus A321XLR, passengers can look forward to a journey marked by cutting-edge technology, safety, and enhanced performance.