787 Landing Gear

The Boeing 787 landing gear is a complete shipset consisting of a nose gear and two main gear assemblies, developed by Safran Landing Systems. It represents a shift in commercial aviation engineering through the extensive use of titanium for major structural components and the adoption of electric braking technology. This design prioritises weight reduction and corrosion resistance, moving away from the traditional heavy steel structures found on previous generations of long-haul widebody aircraft. Safran Landing Systems supplies these units as original equipment for all three variants of the Dreamliner family. The shipsets are delivered directly to the Boeing final assembly lines. The commercial lifecycle is sustained through long-term maintenance, repair, and overhaul contracts with major international carriers, including All Nippon Airways , Air France, and Ethiopian Airlines, who require specialised support for the unique electric actuation systems. The desk notes that the reliance on large-scale titanium forgings introduces specific industrial risks related to raw material sourcing and specialised machining capacity. Verification efforts would focus on the recorded reliability of the electric brake actuators in diverse climates and the actual wear rates of the titanium components compared to theoretical models. Furthermore, we would confirm the current turnaround times for major overhauls at certified global service centres to assess fleet availability risks.