Latrobe Steel’s Vacuum Melted Metals Help Rescue Downed Airman
03/29/2011 - The V-22 Osprey, which features a unique tilt-rotor mechanism, uses many Latrobe premium alloys for critical components within the transmission gear boxes, rotor shafts and the engines.
When the U.S. Marine’s V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft settled to the Libyan desert to retrieve the ejected U.S. airman, it did so with triple-melted alloys manufactured by Latrobe Specialty Steel. The V-22 Osprey, which features a unique tilt-rotor mechanism, uses many Latrobe premium alloys for critical components within the transmission gear boxes, rotor shafts and the engines.
“The well-executed rescue this week showcased the distinctive advantages of the complex V-22 Osprey that can fly like a fixed-wing plane and land like a helicopter,” said Mark T. Weberding, Vice President – Marketing & Sales. “Every one of Latrobe’s over 800 employees took great pride in their contribution to the Osprey and the rescue.”
Latrobe employs a process of triple melting, twice under vacuum, to produce an extremely homogeneous premium material that withstands the demanding requirements of this multifaceted aircraft, which is manufactured by Bell Helicopter Textron and The Boeing Co.
“These and other aerospace manufacturers rely on Latrobe’s exceptional processing capabilities and metallurgical expertise to ensure the highest level of performance,” added Weberding.
Workers at Latrobe’s main plant in Latrobe, Pa., its sister operations in Sandycreek, Pa., and Wauseon, Ohio, process these materials which are then shipped into the various supply chains servicing the production of the Osprey. At each phase of the manufacturing process, employees inspect and test Latrobe’s material for compliance to the various aerospace standards.
Latrobe Specialty Steel, in continuous operation in the same main location since 1913, employs over 800 people across the world. Latrobe Specialty Steel supplies essential materials to the aerospace, defense, energy, industrial and medical sectors.
