Radia's new cargo aircraft, the WindRunner, is making its debut at the Paris Air Show today, introducing an aviation platform designed to solve persistent challenges in transporting large and heavy freight.
Intended for industries such as renewable energy, aerospace, and defense, the aircraft is engineered to carry outsized components to locations that are often beyond the reach of traditional air cargo.
The WindRunner is notable for its ability to transport extremely long or bulky items—like wind turbine blades over 100 meters in length, satellites, or armored vehicles. It has a payload capacity of approximately 72.6 metric tonnes and a cargo volume of 7,700 cubic metres. Capable of landing on unpaved runways as short as 1,800 meters, the aircraft requires no specialized ground infrastructure, making it viable for remote or underdeveloped regions.
To support the development of the WindRunner, Radia has expanded its global supplier network with five new aerospace partners. Aciturri Aeronáutica of Spain will lead development of the aircraft's composite tail structure. Akaer Engenharia, based in Brazil, will handle the pressurized cabin and support systems integration. Astronautics Corporation of America, located in Wisconsin, will develop and integrate the avionics suite. Element Materials Technology in the UK will assist with the design and integration of the fuel system, and Illinois-based Ingenium Technologies will build the high-lift control system.
These firms join an existing group of partners that includes Leonardo, Magnaghi Aerospace, Aernnova, and AFuzion. The growing network reflects Radia's approach of building a globally coordinated supply chain as the project moves toward full-scale production. Additional suppliers and final assembly plans are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The WindRunner's launch comes at a time when global supply chains are under pressure to adapt to complex infrastructure needs and remote construction demands. With its ability to deliver large components directly to their destination, Radia aims to fill a gap in cargo logistics and reduce dependence on costly or time-consuming alternatives.
The debut at Le Bourget marks a major milestone for the program and opens the door to further international engagement and collaboration.
