The skies over Paris are preparing to welcome a new giant. At this year’s Paris Air Show, set to begin on June 16 at the Paris-Le Bourget Airport, one aircraft has already captured global attention before even taking flight. Dubbed the WindRunner, designed by aerospace startup Radia, this engineering behemoth is poised to be the world’s largest cargo aircraft by length and volume.
While the legendary Antonov An-225 Mriya once reigned supreme in the world of cargo aviation, WindRunner is primed to take that legacy further. At 356 feet (108 meters) in length, it surpasses the An-225 by a remarkable margin. The aircraft’s cargo bay, capable of housing 7,700 cubic meters (271,922 cubic feet) of goods, dwarfs even the Airbus BelugaXL’s 2,209 cubic meters (78,000 cubic feet). Originally, that figure was expected to be around 8,200 cubic meters, but even the revised capacity stands in a class of its own.
Radia, the aerospace firm behind the WindRunner, was founded nearly a decade ago by experts from MIT and Boeing. The aircraft was initially conceived to transport massive wind turbine blades—some as long as 344 feet (105 meters)—to remote installation sites. However, its versatile design quickly caught the eye of the broader aviation sector. Now, it’s being explored as a logistics solution for satellites, military vehicles, and other oversized payloads—so long as the total weight stays below 72.6 metric tons (160,000 pounds).
Although the WindRunner’s final specs remain under wraps—including its engine type—it is known that the aircraft will use four engines, fly at altitudes up to 41,000 feet, and travel distances of 1,240 miles (1,996 km) at speeds reaching Mach 0.6 (460 mph/741 kph).
In preparation for its development, Radia has brought on board several international engineering firms. Spain’s Aciturri Aeronáutica will produce the aircraft’s tail structure, while Brazil’s Akaer Engenharia will handle the pressurized cabin and systems integration. Astronautics Corporation of America, based in Wisconsin, is responsible for developing and integrating the avionics systems. UK-based Element Materials Technology is managing the integration of the fuel system, and Illinois-based Ingenium Technologies is in charge of the high-lift control system.
“The WindRunner is about more than breaking size records—it’s about breaking logistical barriers,” appears to be the unspoken mantra of Radia’s vision.
What sets WindRunner apart even more is its ability to operate from unprepared, unpaved surfaces—a design feature inherited from its renewable energy transport mission. The aircraft only needs a runway of 1,800 meters (5,900 feet) made of packed dirt to take off and land, and requires no specialized ground support. This makes it ideal for rapid deployment in disaster zones, remote infrastructure projects, and military operations.
Recognizing the aircraft’s potential, Radia recently entered a collaborative agreement with the U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) to assess the WindRunner’s ability to support Department of Defense (DoD) logistical missions. The study will examine everything from airfield compatibility to cargo handling and mission adaptability.
“The feasibility and operational effectiveness of the WindRunner as a potential commercial carrier option to support critical DoD logistics and transportation needs” is how the official statement framed this partnership.
As the Paris Air Show draws near, all indicators suggest Radia will unveil either a scale model or prototype of the WindRunner, though a fully operational version is not expected just yet. Still, the buzz surrounding its appearance underscores its significance in reshaping the cargo aviation landscape.
