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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Two snubber brakes sit on a KC-135 Stratotanker Aug. 12, 2014, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The snubber brake system consists of two brake linings attached to two spring arms, which contact the nose landing gear tires after gear retraction to eliminate noise and vibration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz)140812-F-LY873-006
                        
                        
                        Two snubber brakes sit on a KC-135 Stratotanker Aug. 12, 2014, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The snubber brake system consists of two brake linings attached to two spring arms, which contact the nose landing gear tires after gear retraction to eliminate noise and vibration. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz)
                
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        Staff Sgt. Joshua Osvold drills holes into an Improved Nose Wheel Snubber Brake Aug. 12, 2014, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The KC-135 Stratotanker uses the snubber brake to eliminate noise and vibration when the landing gear is retracted. Osvold is a 6th Maintenance Group aircraft metals technologists. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz)140812-F-LY873-077
                        
                        
                        Staff Sgt. Joshua Osvold drills holes into an Improved Nose Wheel Snubber Brake Aug. 12, 2014, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla. The KC-135 Stratotanker uses the snubber brake to eliminate noise and vibration when the landing gear is retracted. Osvold is a 6th Maintenance Group aircraft metals technologists. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz)
                
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New part to improve old plane, save money along the wayPublished Sept. 9, 2014
                    
                    By Airman 1st Class Tori Schultz
                    
                    
                    6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
            **MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --**For more than 50 years the KC-135 Stratotanker has been an integral part of the worldwide aerial refueling mission; and from time to time, the aging airframe needs minor touch-ups.
Recently, MacDill Air Force Base was selected as a pilot base for a new replacement part called the Improved Nose Wheel Snubber Brake.
The KC-135 uses a snubber brake system to eliminate noise and vibration when the nose landing gear is retracted.
Throughout the years, the brake arms have experienced fatigue cracks around the mounting holes due to the limited surface area needed for stress distribution. Subsequently, this part is typically replaced every seven years due to the deficiency and has cost the Air Force on average $350,000 in parts and labor every year.
The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center/Legacy Tanker Division designed the Improved Nose Wheel Snubber Brake to address the deficiency by making the mounting portion of the spring arm thicker and wider.
To coincide with the replacement, the Air Mobility Command Test and Evaluation Squadron constructed a two phase logistics service test, which evaluates the operational effectiveness and suitability of the new brake.
The first phase, which occurred in August, consisted of Airmen from the 6th Maintenance Group installing one set of brake arms. Phase two will consist of normal aircraft operations with routine inspections for a period of six months to include no less than 50 sorties. At the end of the testing period, the improved brake arms will be removed and receive a thorough product quality inspection.
With the success of this part the Air Force could potentially save $330,000 a year, per aircraft and remove certain inspections entirely.AMC 



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