A huge plane will be able to carry 12 times more capacity than a Boeing 747 – and it’s due to make its debut soon. The cargo plane will be able to transport impressive amounts of goods and can take off and land on unpaved runways as short as 1,800 metres.
It will be showcased at the 2025 Paris Air Show from June 16 to 22. Radia, the company which has created the plane, will share its capabilities over the coming days. The plane’s first model, called WindRunner, is being showcased as the world’s largest cargo plane. It can accommodate anything from wind turbine blades to satellite systems for launch sites, reports 01 Net. The armed forces may also use the plane.
While the plane has not yet been assembled, the first model will be available to see at the Paris Air Show.
Radia has signed partnerships with Leonardo and Magroup Magnaghi Aerospace in Italy, Aernova in Spain, and agreements are reportedly being discussed with France and Germany.
Radia and its partners aim to create 4,000 highly skilled jobs within the European Union.
“The French market is key for Radia’s future—not only as an aerospace excellence hub but also as a strategic partner in energy innovation and defence,” said Mark Lemke, Vice President of Supply Chain at Radia. “We look forward to building sustainable industrial relationships here and throughout the region.”
Windrunner will measure at around 108 metres long, 24 metres high and will have a wingspan of 80 metres.
It could carry wind turbines of up to 100 metres long. Radia plans to use sustainable aviation fuel in its four engines but its carbon footprint remains to be seen.
The plane will be 356 feet from the nose to the tail which exceeds the Antonov An-225 Mriya’s 276-foot length.
Its ability to land on dirt strips means it will fill a gap in the aviation industry. The plane features multi-use technology which can be used for defence, aerospace and other cargo applications.