We believe that conventional skidtubes are under-designed for the types of landings most helicopters encounter. Conventional skidtubes are ill-equipped to face the critical loading conditions encountered when landing on uneven ground. Under these conditions, simple round tubes tend to puncture, dent and bend because they cannot maintain their shape. DART Aerospace's revolutionary patented Round-I-Beam™ technology combines the conventional round tube with the strength of the I-beam made from 6061-T6 aluminum. In DART Aerospace skidtubes, the central I-beam web absorbs most of the impact on landing so the tube maintains its integrity. Even with the addition of a central web, the weight is comparable to that of conventional skidtubes. The EC145 wearplates are constructed of corrosion resistant stainless steel and feature a thru-bolt design which makes installation or replacement quick and easy, eliminates clamps over the skidtube and prevents the wearplate from rotating on the skidtube. Comes standard with full-length stainless steel tungsten carbide welded wearplates. *Comes with 3 full length stainless steel tungsten carbide welded wearplates. Installs with OEM saddles. Pre-drilled for compatibility with Bristol WSPS and DART Cable Cutter Kit (requires D145-762-103 provisions kits for skidtube deflector installation). Not compatible with floats, DART float extension and OEM settling protectors.