The WindRunner shatters all records in global cargo aviation
The WindRunner literally pushes the boundaries of the impossible. With its 7,700 m³ cargo hold and 80-ton payload capacity, this aerial behemoth makes its competitors green with envy. In addition to its XXL cargo hold, it measures 108.5 meters long and has a wingspan of 79.5 meters. Enough to transport wind turbine blades exceeding 100 meters, or complete satellites, places no other aircraft can go—more on that later.
Radia, which will be exhibiting for the first time at the Paris Air Show this year in France, announced Tuesday that it has seriously recruited experts to build the world’s largest aircraft. Aciturri Aeronáutica (Spain), Akaer Engenharia (Brazil), Astronautics (USA), Element Digital Engineering (UK), and Ingenium Technologies (USA) are Radia’s new supplier partners. Let’s take a look at the capabilities of each of them.
Aciturri Aeronáutica, a Spanish expert in composite structures, is now leading the development of the empennage. “The scale and ambition of the WindRunner are unprecedented in modern aviation,” says María Eugenia Clemente, CEO of Aciturri. “We are proud to contribute our expertise to this transformative platform and to redefine the boundaries of cargo aviation,” he adds.
Brazilian giant Akaer Engenharia is tackling the pressurized cabin and critical systems. “It is an honor to be part of a project that will redefine the future of global aviation,” says Cesar Silva, CEO of Akaer. “The development of the WindRunner is ambitious, and Akaer’s participation reflects the confidence gained through decades of excellence and innovation.”
A giant aircraft that lands on any dirt runway
Onboard electronics is a pure technological challenge. Astronautics Corporation of America, based in Wisconsin, USA, is orchestrating the integration of the avionics systems. “It is an honor for Astronautics to participate in a program integrating cutting-edge avionics and cybersecurity systems into an unprecedented aircraft,” explains Robert Atac, President of Astronautics. “The WindRunner redefines logistics standards for global aerospace.”
Element Digital Engineering, the British flagship of the Element Materials Technology group, is revolutionizing the approach to fuel. “Element is proud to contribute to the engineering of critical systems for a platform designed to solve real-world energy and mobility challenges,” says Lee Brough, Vice President of Aeronautics. This expertise will enable the WindRunner to land on simple 1,800-meter dirt runways, without specialized infrastructure.
