Radia, a Colorado-based startup, is developing the WindRunner, a colossal cargo aircraft designed to transport massive wind turbine blades directly to onshore wind farms via unpaved runways. Measuring 356 feet long with a 261-foot wingspan, it will be the largest aircraft in the world by volume, capable of carrying payloads over 300 feet long, such as six fully assembled CH-47 helicopters. Aviation Week reports that, although initially built for energy needs, the WindRunner has drawn interest from the US Department of Defense and NATO for its potential military applications, leading to a CRADA with the US Transportation Command. Radia aims to have the aircraft operational by 2030, offering flexible ownership and mission models. They write:
Colorado-based startup Radia has announced plans to offer a purpose-built military version of its WindRunner outsized cargo aircraft, targeting what it says is a U.S. and allied ultralarge airlift gap.
Dubbed WindRunner for Defense, the variant will offer around seven times the roll-on/roll-off cargo volume of the Lockheed Martin C-5M and 12 times that of the Boeing C-17, and builds on lessons learned from a recent Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with U.S. Transportation Command. […]
With a length of 356 ft. and wingspan of 261 ft., the WindRunner is designed to transport the largest wind-turbine blades directly to onshore wind farms. But in its military guise, Radia says it could carry mission-ready loads of up to six CH-47s or four V-22s without the need for reassembly. Other potential loads include four F-35Cs or 12 AH-64s. […]
Speaking to Aviation Week, Lundstrom says although the aircraft’s range is limited compared to existing airlifters, the results of the CRADA mission analysis are overwhelmingly favorable. “It’s not really about range; it’s about finishing a mission. The C-17 range is much higher, but you can only carry one disassembled Chinook, which takes days to reassemble. […]
The CRADA also explored which portions of DOD logistics networks could be best served by WindRunner as a commercial cargo option. […]
Read more here.
