USAF Presentation “Near Zero Growth” Radial Tires February 25, 2003

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Bias/ Radial/ NZG Radial Construction Radial nylon The bias or conventional construction is historically the oldest. 18 casing plies made of nylon cord are laid upon each other in a criss-cross fashion. These are then wrapped around 6 steel bead wires whose main function is to anchor the tyre to the wheel and to prevent it from passing over the rim flange when under pressure. 2 crown protection plies at 45° reinforce the strength and stability of the crown. These tyres are generally designed to be retreaded. 5 to 6 grooves are necessary in the tread to allow flexibility of the structure in the area of contact with the ground. Bias

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY What is NZG ?? Our R&D Efforts have developed a new Reinforcing Material : Higher Modulus than Nylon (Growth limited to less than 3%) Modulus stable with temperature (Maintains geometry at high temperature)

Working Point when Tyre Inflated at nominal pressure “NZG” TECHNOLOGY 5 10 15 20 Elongation (%) Force NEW CORD NYLON CORD Working Point when Tyre Inflated at nominal pressure “NZG” Casing and Belt Plies are made of high tensile cords

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Non inflated tyre : Nylon vs NZG Comparison For a given tire size, because NZG grows less, it is designed to have a larger non-inflated diameter

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Tire growth vs. initial size: Bias / Radial / NZG Radial Inflation + 8 % diameter Inflation + 6 % diameter Inflation + 2 % diameter Another aspect of a tyre ’s mechanical work is the effect of centrifugal force due to high speed, as well as an additional pressure increase due to the heat generated. Centrifugal force + 4% diameter Centrifugal force + 2% diameter Centrifugal force + 1 % diameter

Features and Benefits of NZG Technology

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Feature: High modulus reinforcing cords Advantage: Fewer casing plies can offer a significant tire mass savings compared to standard radial or bias - up to 20% seen in some programs Benefits: Increased fuel savings or load capacity Reduced moment of inertia produces less wear at touchdown, extending overall wear life Reduction in maintenance costs for tire changes and wheel buildups

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Feature: High modulus reinforcing cords Advantage: Reduced stretch - growth of the tire is limited to less than 3% Benefits: Enhanced resistance to foreign object damage Delay between tire mounting and assembly leakage pressure check for the purpose of stabilizing tire growth is reduced to one hour Reduction in maintenance costs for tire changes and wheel buildups

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Feature: Modulus stable with temperature Advantage: Reduction of the cold flat spotting effect seen in nylon based tires Benefits: Improved operating conditions at very low temperatures

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Feature: Reduced tension in the tread and sidewalls Advantage: Better resistance to abrasion and foreign object damage Less sensitivity of the sidewall to aging and cracking due to ozone attack Benefits: Reduced early removals and therefore increased LPT Reduced maintenance time and costs

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Feature: Tire retains the performance capabilities inherent to the radial ply construction Advantage: Improved overload capability Tire is more resistant to cyclic fatigue Benefits: Overall improved reliability

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY USAF Discussion Items

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Review of Cut Sections

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY - Q: Description of venting of the 49x17.0R20 26PR NZG tire - A: Tire is vented using same procedure as other radials

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY - Q: Data on NZG tire temperature vs. pressure in comparison to a conventional radial and bias tire - A: Experience shows that the contained air temperature can be slightly higher or lower than the standard radial, but is always much lower than the equivalent bias tire

- Q: Review of data provided to the wheel supplier (Messier-Bugatti) “NZG” TECHNOLOGY - Q: Data on how the NZG loads a wheel in comparison to a conventional radius and bias tire - Q: Relative loading differences between NZG tires >40” diameter and tires <40” in comparison to conventional tires - Q: Review of data provided to the wheel supplier (Messier-Bugatti)

Data from the Airbus A-340 Program “NZG” TECHNOLOGY Data from the Airbus A-340 Program Comparison of Mechanical Properties for the Bias, Radial, and NZG Radial MLGTire

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“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Data from the Falcon 2000 Program Comparison of Mechanical Properties for Radial and NZG Radial MLG Tire

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“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Data given to Messier-Bugatti for the KC-135/C-5 Program Comparison of Rim Pressure Distributions for the Bias and NZG Tire

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“NZG” TECHNOLOGY - Q: Data on how landing gear loads might be affected by NZG in comparison to a conventional radial and bias tire - A: The NZG forces are slightly higher than a standard radial because it is stiffer, but are about the same as a bias tire

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY - Q: Data on carcass life (number of retreads) compared to a conventional radial and bias tire - A: Retread experience on the NZG is minimal, but the carcass life is expected to be the same as other retreadable tires

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY - Q: Updated design status of the 49x17.0R20/26PR NZG and location of manufacture - A: Two designs will be tested to the final specification. The maximum weight will be either 156 or 161 pounds. The protector ply will be nylon, and the skid depth will be 0.51 inch. Estimated LCC index is 800.

NZG FOD Resistance Demonstration “NZG” TECHNOLOGY NZG FOD Resistance Demonstration

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Concorde Tire Requirements Tire must survive specific damage at high speed Tire must then demonstrate residual strength during normal operation

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Test on trailer in Almeria - Low speed

Bias/NZG Tire Test at 20 km/h in Almeria “NZG” TECHNOLOGY FOD resistance of Bias/NZG Radial Bias/NZG Tire Test at 20 km/h in Almeria NZG BIAS

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY “ NZG” FOD Resistance Demonstration High speed test on dynamometer in Ladoux

After roll on blade at 324 km/h “NZG” TECHNOLOGY FOD Resistance Demonstration After roll on blade at 324 km/h BIAS NZG radial Bias  Tire blow out after roll on blade NZG  Tread band cut, no pressure loss, no debris Then, completes 3 cycle test (no pressure loss, no debris) i.e 2 (taxi + take-off + landing + taxi) + 1 (taxi + overload continued take-off + landing + taxi)

FOD Resistance Demonstration NZG - After roll on blade at 383 km/h “NZG” TECHNOLOGY FOD Resistance Demonstration NZG - After roll on blade at 383 km/h NZG “damaged” tire Tire then successfully completed 3 mission cycle tests according to Concorde specification.

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Current experience : Fully certified on Concorde (MLG) Fully certified on Falcon 2000/20/50 (MLG) Certification in progress on A340-500/600 (MLG) - approval estimated 3/03 Certification in progress on A330/A340 (MLG) Certification in progress on F16 Blocks 40 and 30 (MLG) Certification in progress on KC-135 (MLG) / C-5 (MLG/NLG) Certification in progress on B777-200LR/300ER (MLG) Certification in progress on Falcon 900 and 2000EX (MLG) Certification in progress on A319/320/321 (NLG) Certification in progress on Cessna Sovereign and Citation X (MLG) Proposed on Falcon F7X (MLG) Proposed on A380 (MLG)

“NZG” TECHNOLOGY Thank You! Questions?