Radia adds Latécoère and Stirling Dynamics to WindRunner supplier team

Radia has expanded the industrial ecosystem behind its WindRunner aircraft programme with new supplier agreements covering electrical systems and flight controls.

The company has signed agreements with Latécoère and Stirling Dynamics to support key aspects of the aircraft’s development, as WindRunner moves into its next phase.

WindRunner is being developed as an oversized cargo aircraft for missions across defence, energy, aerospace and humanitarian logistics. Radia describes the aircraft as the world’s largest cargo aircraft, designed to transport outsized loads without relying on specialised infrastructure.

Announced ahead of the Farnborough International Airshow, the new agreements strengthen Radia’s supplier base in areas including aircraft systems integration, electrical architecture, flight controls, simulation and systems engineering.

Latécoère to support WindRunner electrical systems

Latécoère will support the development of WindRunner’s Electrical Wiring Interconnection System, known as EWIS.

The work will contribute to the aircraft’s electrical architecture and help establish a scalable systems foundation for an aircraft designed around unusually large cargo requirements.

Sam Marnick, president Americas at Latécoère, said: “WindRunner represents one of the most ambitious aerospace development programmes underway today.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Radia and contribute our expertise in aircraft electrical systems integration to support the development of this groundbreaking aircraft.”

Stirling Dynamics joins WindRunner flight controls work

Stirling Dynamics will support flight controls integration activities for the aircraft, bringing expertise in flight control systems, simulation and aircraft engineering.

The company’s work will support the development of safe and reliable aircraft operations as Radia continues to mature key systems ahead of later programme execution.

Bandula Pathinayake, vice-president of Stirling Dynamics, said: “WindRunner will redefine what is possible in air cargo transportation, and we look forward to applying our expertise in flight controls, systems engineering and simulation as the programme moves through the integration phase.”

Mark Lundstrom, founder and chief executive of Radia, said building WindRunner required “assembling a world-class industrial ecosystem capable of delivering at an unprecedented scale”.

He added: “Latécoère and Stirling Dynamics bring specialised expertise that strengthens a critical part of the programme.”

Latécoère and Stirling Dynamics join a growing WindRunner supplier and technology network that now includes more than 20 organisations across aircraft structures, avionics, flight controls, electrical systems, certification, testing, manufacturing and maintenance.

Radia will be exhibiting at Farnborough International Airshow, where company representatives will meet suppliers, customers, investors and government stakeholders.