Crane supplies brake controls for Northrop wingman

Brake control technology backed Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue taxi trials as autonomous wingman development work continues in California.

Crane Aerospace & Electronics has supplied the brake control system for Northrop Grumman’s YFQ-48A Talon Blue autonomous wingman aircraft, with the system supporting successful taxi testing in Mojave, California.

Crane A&E says it is working with Northrop Grumman on a rapid-development brake control system programme built around its modular Standard Systems Architecture, which the company says provides anti-skid braking capability while reducing development time and cost.

Ryan Sands, Vice President & GM, Landing Systems at Crane A&E, says: “We are proud to partner with Northrop Grumman to supply its autonomous wingman an industry-leading BCS solution.

“Leveraging decades of brake control system expertise, we utilised our Standard System Architecture and worked closely with Northrop Grumman to rapidly provide a best-in-class, mission-critical brake control solution for this aircraft.”

Crane A&E traces its brake control heritage back to 1947 when Hydro-Aire partnered with Boeing on what the company describes as the industry’s first anti-skid braking system. The company says its systems are now operating across thousands of commercial and defence aircraft globally.