What industries and platforms use IBSCO’s airframe control bearings?

They are qualified for use in commercial jets, military aircraft, rotorcraft, UAVs, and specialized aerospace systems.

Can IBSCO provide traceability and certifications with each order?

Yes — all bearings can be supplied with full documentation, including CoC, FAI, and material certifications, with traceability to OEM and government standards.

Do you support both OEM production and MRO requirements?

Absolutely. We stock bearings for new production builds as well as spares for the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) supply chain.

What value-added services does IBSCO provide beyond distribution?

We offer custom cleanroom relubrication, custom packaging, component upgrades, and direct-to-line kitting to streamline aerospace manufacturing and repair operations.

Can I request custom configurations or materials?

Yes — IBSCO works with OEMs to provide special coatings, liners, lubrication, or high-misalignment designs for unique applications.

Airframe Control Bearings

Airframe Control Overview

IBSCO supplies high-performance airframe control bearings engineered for aerospace, military, and rotorcraft applications where reliability and precision are critical.

Designed to manage extreme loads, misalignment issues, and environmental stresses, these bearings ensure smooth, dependable motion in control systems such as ailerons, rudders, elevators, flap actuators, landing gear, and rotor assemblies.

Key Advantages

High load capacity for demanding operating conditions
Low friction for precise motion control
Resistance to shock, vibration, and harsh environments
Extended service life in mission-critical systems

OEM Partnerships

IBSCO partners with leading OEMs approved for commercial and military aircraft applications.

Supplier of aerospace-grade ball and roller bearings.

(Smith Bearings) – Precision needle roller bearings for aerospace and industrial applications.

Produces control bearings for flight control systems, drive systems, stabilizers, flaps, slats, and spoilers.

(MinebeaMitsumi Group) – Manufacturer of miniature, instrument, and aerospace bearings. IBSCO is a certified relubrication facility for NMB products.

(New Hampshire Ball Bearings) – Major supplier of airframe control ball bearings, rod ends, spherical bearings, and journal bearings for fixed- and rotary-wing platforms. IBSCO is a certified relubrication facility for NHBB products.

Full line of aerospace and industrial ball bearings, including thin-section, angular contact, and airframe control bearings. IBSCO is a certified relubrication facility for RBC.

Super precision ball and cylindrical roller bearings for specialized aerospace systems. Timken's Aurora Bearing Company provides qualified spherical bearings, rod ends, and bushings. Timken GGB provides plain bearing solutions with polymer coatings, engineered plastics, composites, and bimetals.

What Are Airframe Control Bearings?

Airframe control bearings are precision components used in movable flight control systems of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. They support oscillating, pivoting, and limited rotation in linkages, actuators, bell cranks, flap assemblies, and stabilizers while tolerating extreme loads, vibration, and environmental exposure.

Design Purpose

Manage repetitive oscillatory motion
Minimize backlash in control systems
Provide high misalignment capability
Operate in extreme environments (temperature, fluids, G-loads)
Ensure predictable torque behavior and low friction over the service life

Construction & Bearing Types

Airframe Control Ball Bearings

Single row, double row, and self-aligning types; Fairlead, pulley, and ball bearing track roller styles.

Airframe Control Needle Track Rollers

Single or double roller paths; Cylindrical or crowned OD, with self-aligning options; Stud and yoke styles for flap-tracks, doors, canopies, landing gear, and cam-driven equipment.

Spherical Bearings

Swaged, load slot, split ball, and high-misalignment designs (up to ±15°); Bonded PTFE liners (maintenance-free), machinable liners, or metal-to-metal options.

Journal Bearings (Sleeve Bearings)

Straight and flanged bushings for airframe, helicopter, and landing gear systems; Available in multiple alloys and materials per SAE, NAS, and AIA standards.

Spherical Rod End Bearings

Spherical bearing integrated into a threaded housing; High misalignment, high temperature, and lightweight series available; Common in push-pull rod assemblies, landing gear actuators, and flap linkages.

Ball Bearing Rod Ends

Double row, self-aligning ball bearings with integral shafts; Designed for low torque, high load, and misalignment requirements.

Specifications & Standards

IBSCO supplies airframe control bearings qualified to SAE-AS (MS), NAS, and OEM-specific part numbers, supporting both new production and MRO supply chains.

Specification	Product Type	Government Designation (Series)
SAE-AS7949	Airframe Control Ball Bearings	MS21428, MS21443, MS27640, MS26761, MS27642, MS27643, MS27644, MS27645, MS27646, MS27647, MS27648, MS27649
SAE-AS39901	Airframe Control Needle Bearings	MS21438, MS21439, MS21440, MS21441, MS21442, MS21447, MS24461, MS24462, MS24463, MS24464
SAE-AS6039	Airframe Control Ball Bearing Rod Ends	MS21150, MS21151, MS21152, MS21153
SAE-AS81934	Journal Bearings	M81934/1, M81934/2
SAE-AS81935	Spherical Rod End Bearings	M81935/1 through M81935/9
SAE-AS81820	Spherical Bearings	MS14101, MS14102, MS14103, MS14104, M81820/1 through M81820/4
SAE-AS81936	Spherical Bearings (Copper-Beryllium Ball)	M81936/1, M81936/2
SAE-AS7949	Airframe Control Ball Bearings	MS21428, MS21443, MS27640, MS26761, MS27642, MS27643, MS27644, MS27645, MS27646, MS27647, MS27648, MS27649
SAE AS39901	Airframe Control Needle Bearings	MS21438, MS21439, MS21440, MS21441, MS21442, MS21447, MS24461, MS24462, MS24463, MS24464
SAE-AS6039	Airframe Control Ball Bearing Rod Ends	MS21150, MS21151, MS21152, MS21153
SAE-AS81934	Journal Bearings	M81934/1, M81934/2
SAE-AS81935	Spherical Rod End Bearings	M81935/1 through M81935/9
SAE-AS81820	Spherical Bearings	MS14101, MS14102, MS14103, MS14104, M81820/1 through M81820/4
SAE-AS81936	Spherical Bearings (Copper-Beryllium Ball)	M81936/1, M81936/2

Applications

Application Area	Examples	Bearing Types
Primary Flight Controls	Elevators, rudders, ailerons	PTFE-lined spherical bearings
Rotorcraft Systems	Pitch links, swashplates, stabilizers	High-misalignment spherical bearings
Landing Gear Mechanisms	Retract actuators, struts, drag braces	Rod ends, journal bearings
Flap & Slat Systems	Hinges, tracks, sliders	Track rollers, double-row bearings
Weapon Bay Actuation	Doors, dampers, suspension links	Metal-to-metal & high-temp designs