Collins Aerospace expands production at carbon brakes facility in Spokane

Collins Aerospace is expanding its facility for producing carbon brakes for military and civilian aircraft in Spokane, Washington. (Collins Aerospace)

Collins Aerospace is expanding production of carbon brakes for military and civilian aircraft at its facility in Spokane, Washington. The USD200 million investment is expected to expand the site by more than 50%, adding 70,000 ft
²
(6,500 m
²
) of additional manufacturing space, said a Collins Aerospace statement on 28 May. This includes as many as three new buildings and additional furnaces.

The Spokane site specialises in the production and manufacturing of braking systems with Collins Aerospace’s Duracarb carbon disk technology, a heat sink material that offers lighter weight without reducing durability, according to the company website. The brakes operate with lower brake fluid temperatures to enhance safety and extend service life. Increased brake life reduces overall costs, the statement said.

The expansion is in response to increased demand from military and commercial customers, Nichol Savko, the general manager of the Spokane facility, told
Janes