The US military is exploring possible uses for the WindRunner aircraft – the world’s largest plane in the world that is currently being developed by a Colorado startup.
The Radia WindRunner is the world’s largest plane and offers 12 times the cargo volume of a Boeing 787.
The whopper of a plane will have a 261ft (80 meters) wingspan and will be 354ft (108 meters) long, making it roughly the same size as a standard soccer pitch.
Once completed, Radia says its WindRunner plane will be able to carry loads of up to 160,000lbs (72,575kg).
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Radia says its WindRunner plane will be a valuable asset in the wind energy industry as its massive amount of cargo space means it is ideally suited for carrying huge wind turbine blades that can measure upwards of 328 feet (100 meters) in length.
However, now the US Department of Defence (DoD) is eyeing up any possible uses it could have for the world’s largest plane.
The DoD and Radia have signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) that will focus on understanding the feasibility and operational effectiveness of the WindRunner aircraft as a potential carrier option to support DoD logistical and transportation needs.
The CRADA enables the DoD and Radia to carry out joint research efforts, share data, and collaborate between teams.
The CRADA will take a closer look at several key areas, including the WindRunner’s ability to transport various types of DoD cargo, such as space launch equipment and humanitarian aid; and evaluating the plane’s airfield suitability, necessary infrastructure, and ground handling procedures.
The research will also look into developing mission profiles and assessing WindRunner’s performance in various scenarios, as well as how it might be integrated with existing DoD systems.
“The WindRunner allows the world’s biggest things to be delivered to the hardest-to-reach locations,” Radia CEO and founder Mark Lundstrom said.
“This collaboration demonstrates how commercial capabilities may help to support U.S. national defense by integrating with and addressing military needs.
“By leveraging the unique design and capabilities of the WindRunner, we can together explore innovative solutions for transporting outsized and high-volume cargo, enhancing the DoD’s ability to respond to global challenges.”
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