The aircraft tyre industry draws a certain amount of design technology from the larger tyre industry, but little else. Most tyres are hand-built on machines with low levels of automation; production runs are typically around 100 units or less and most tyres are retreaded half a dozen times in their life. In addition, the majority of aircraft tyres are still made in bias-ply construction, as radial constructions are cost-effective only on larger commercial aircraft. Other differences are that logistics are critical. Military contracts often require suppliers to deliver tyres to aircraft carriers in the middle of the ocean within a few days, while commercial companies may require tyres to be delivered to any airport around the world.
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