Radia WindRunner – The World's Largest Cargo Aircraft Concept

The Radia WindRunner is a proposed ultra-large cargo aircraft developed by the American company Radia. Designed to be the largest plane in the world by length and internal volume, it is specifically intended to transport next-generation wind turbine blades over 100 meters long to remote locations that lack large airports or infrastructure.

It is a key component of Radia’s “GigaWind” initiative, which aims to unlock the potential of advanced onshore wind energy by enabling efficient transport of oversized turbine components.

General Characteristics:

Length: ~108 meters (356 feet)

Wingspan: ~80 meters (261 feet)

Height: ~24 meters (79 feet)

Maximum Payload: ~72.6 tons (160,000 lbs)

Cargo Bay Volume: ~7,700 cubic meters (~272,000 cubic feet)

Cargo Bay Dimensions: up to 105 m × 7.3 m × 7.3 m

Cruise Speed: Mach 0.6 (~740 km/h)

Range with Full Load: ~2,000 km

Service Ceiling: ~12,500 meters (41,000 feet)

Minimum Runway (unpaved): ~1,800 meters

Key Features:

Front-loading design with a patented nose-opening system to accommodate extremely long blades and oversized equipment.

Operates from semi-prepared airstrips, making it suitable for hard-to-reach wind farm sites.

Utilizes off-the-shelf components, including engines and systems already certified by the FAA, reducing development risks and costs.

Modular and multi-use: Although optimized for wind turbine transport, it can also carry helicopters, military vehicles, or large humanitarian aid cargo.

Development Partners:

Fuselage: Leonardo

Wings and pylons: Aernnova

Cockpit and pressurized cabin: Akaer (Brazil)

Safety and certification systems: AFuzion

Purpose and Impact:

The WindRunner is more than just a massive aircraft. It is a practical logistics solution for the energy transition. By enabling the transport of ultra-long turbine blades to inland locations, it could help unlock over 200 gigawatts of wind energy potential in the United States alone by 2050. Its use may reduce the cost of wind energy by up to 30% and lower carbon emissions significantly.

Beyond wind energy, the WindRunner could also support space and defense logistics, emergency relief, and infrastructure delivery in isolated regions.

Project Timeline:

Concept development began around 2016.

Official unveiling occurred at Farnborough Airshow 2024 and Paris Air Show 2025.

First flight targeted between 2027 and 2029.

Entry into service expected before 2030.