Liebherr-Aerospace has delivered the first nose landing gear for the Airbus A350F, marking another important step in the development of Airbus’s next-generation widebody freighter.
The component was developed, qualified and manufactured at Liebherr-Aerospace’s facility in Lindenberg, Germany. The company has been a long-standing partner on the A350 program, supplying flight-control components and nose landing gear systems across the aircraft family.
For the freighter version, Liebherr had to adapt the nose landing gear system to meet the specific operational demands of cargo flying. One key challenge is ground stability during loading, especially because the A350F’s large main-deck cargo door is positioned behind the landing gear. Improper loading could create a tail-tipping risk, so Airbus developed a warning system that uses load information from the nose landing gear.
To support that system, Liebherr developed a new electronic pressure sensor integrated into the changeover valve. The sensor monitors the internal shock absorber pressure, helping calculate the aircraft’s balance while on the ground.
The delivery comes as Airbus prepares the A350F for final assembly in Toulouse. The freighter is designed for long-haul cargo operations and is one of Airbus’ most important new aircraft programs, aimed at competing in the large widebody freighter market.
Liebherr said the milestone reflects its continued cooperation with Airbus and its role in supporting the safety and reliability of the A350F program. The company will also provide aftermarket maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the nose landing gear once the aircraft enters service.
Images: Liebherr