A 380 Body landing gear
 

Why the 3rd axel is without brakes?
with nearly double the size of a jumbo 747, the same number of brakes (16) and only 2 reverser operative (no.2,3) would you ask yourself the same question?

first of all, i don't think it's double-jumbo size (or weight).
outboard engine don't reverse due to large wingspan and fod risk.
and if the 16 brakes do the job, why build in more weight?

no, as i understand, the problem is the wingspan in combination with the rwy width (fod coming from unpaved areas next to the rwy).

Good point; thanks.

G B Z

I believe it's to do with the much lower V speeds, ie at MLW Vref for the A380 is in the order of 130kts where a 744 at MLW has a Vref around 155, the A380 also has much lower TO speeds as well. Also the heavy weight freighter will have the full 20 brakes as will the stretch, so I've been told.

Thank you SMOC, this is a nice explanation why is not necessary to complicate the structure for nothing. I has thinking the reason was in the complication to build an ABS system on such sterring system thay looks quite different from the boeings. I read somewere that Boeing had copyrights on its system too.