Tokyo - The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that it has developed the "ADVAN AC Y-255," a radial tire for aircraft carrying the company's flagship "ADVAN" brand, and, in March, began delivering it for state-of-the-art passenger jets manufactured by Boeing in the United States and operated by Japanese carriers. The tire size is 50x20.0R22 (26PR and 32PR).

Aircraft tires such as for the Boeing 777-300 are subjected to conditions far more severe than those for F1 racing cars - the need, for example, to support a total weight of 300 tons at speeds of 340 km per hour and more through repeated takeoffs and landings. Because of the high level of technology and experience required, only a limited number of tire manufacturers throughout the world are capable of making aircraft tires. Since it began its development of aircraft tires in 1940, Yokohama Rubber has supplied various tires to the airline industry, the Defense Agency and others.

The "ADVAN AC Y-255" is a radial tire for aircraft, developed in response to the need for tires with enhanced durability and reduced weight as the aircraft themselves become even more advanced and sophisticated. Repeated takeoffs and landings wear down tire treads, and while conventional bias tires typically have to be retreaded six times in their lives, radial tires, with their substantially higher durability and abrasion resistance, must be retreaded only about half as often to deliver the same total number of takeoffs and landings. Justly proud of the exceptional performance of its new tire, Yokohama Rubber decided to give it its top-ranked ADVAN name - the first time it has done so with an aircraft tire.

The Boeing 777 series of long, wide-body, twin-jet passenger aircraft is highly regarded for its spacious cabins, industry-leading equipment and amenities and excellent economic efficiency. Two models are currently manufactured, the 777-200, with a maximum seating capacity of 440, and the 777-300, seating up to 550. The 777-300ER (Extended Range) has a range of 14,594 kilometers - among the longest in the world.