Fairchild Controls, an EADS North America business unit will provide the TP-85-8, a new generation of air turbine drives, for Boeing’s 747-8 aircraft.

The air turbine drives installed on the 747s supply torque to a supplemental hydraulic pump during periods of high hydraulic power demand for the operation of the landing gear, wing slats and flaps.

The new version based on advanced technology and better material will provide more power than the previous TP-85-1 turbine drives.

The 747-8s will be fitted with four drives instead of the two fitted to the 747s.

Fairchild has provided Boeing with the existing turbine drives for the last 40 years.