Latrobe Specialty Steel’s Vacuum Melted Metals Help Rescue Downed Airman

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 with its unique tilt-rotor mechanism uses many Latrobe premium alloys for such 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. Every one of Latrobe’s over 800 employees took great pride in their contribution to the Osprey and the rescue. The Latrobe process of triple melting, twice under vacuum, produces an extremely homogeneous premium material which withstands the demanding requirements of this multifaceted aircraft 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 Mark T. Weberding, Vice President – Marketing & Sales.

Workers at Latrobe’s main plant in Latrobe, PA , its sister operations in Sandycreek, Venango County, PA and Wauseon, OH process these materials which are shipped into the various supply chains servicing the production of the Osprey. At each phase of the manufacturing process, these employees inspect and test Latrobe’s material for compliance to the various aerospace standards.