REDUCED WEIGHT AIRCRAFT TIRE

A pneumatic tire (10) having a carcass (22) and a belt reinforcing structure (30) is disclosed. The belt reinforcing structure (30) comprises a main belt structure (40) including a first belt layer (42) having cords arranged at an angle of 10 degrees or less, preferably 5 degrees or less, with respect to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire (10), and a first zigzag belt reinforcing structure (44, 46, 48). The first zigzag belt reinforcing structure is formed of or comprises at least two layers of cords (44, 46, 48), the cords in said at least two layers of cords (44, 46, 48) being inclined at an angle in a range of from 5 to 30 degrees relative to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire (10) extending in alternation to turnaround points at each lateral edge of the respective layer of cord (44, 46, 48). The first zigzag belt reinforcing structure is wider than the first belt layer (42). The belt reinforcing structure comprises a protector belt structure (70) located radially outward of the main belt structure (40). The protector belt structure (70) is a zigzag belt or a geodesic belt. The tire (10) is preferably an aircraft tire.