How the US military plans to use the world’s largest plane

However, it seems that Radia has entered into a deal with the US Department of Defense (DoD). The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) which has been signed between the DoD and Radia suggests the 109 metre aircraft, that has a height of 24 metres and and a wingspan of 80 metres could support DoD logistics and transportation needs (Picture: Radia)

So, what will the plane be used for?

Under the CRADA, experts will be assessing the cargo capacity and handling of the plane. They will try to figure out if the plane could transport various types of DoD cargo, such as space launch materials, oversized equipment and humanitarian aid. The DoD will also try and evaluate airfield suitability, ground handling procedures and any necessary infrastructure to run the plane (Picture: Radia)

Mark Lundstrom, Radia Founder and CEO said: ‘The WindRunner allows the world’s biggest things to be delivered to the hardest-to-reach locations. This collaboration demonstrates how commercial capabilities may help to support US national defense by integrating with and addressing military needs'

He also says that alongside the DoD, the team will try and figure out more solutions that need outsized and high-volume cargo which will ‘help the DoD’s ability to respond to global challenges’. The US military believes that this collaboration will inform future strategy decision for dual use for both civilians and military aircrafts (Picture: Radia)

What else can the plane do?

Another feature of the plane includes its ability to land on short unpaved landing strips, which are likely to be found in remote regions where wind farms are being set up. This will help the company navigate the growing global demand for carbon-free electricity. In a statement released last year Mr Lundstrom said: ‘Radia will create a step-function improvement for onshore wind in profitability, lower cost, and higher consistency. This will result in more wind projects, more green fuel projects, lower energy price, more profits, and more money being invested in the energy transition’ (Picture: Radia)

However, there is one catch. According to IFL Science, WindRunner is still yet to be built, and is in production until the end of 2027. When this happens, it will become the largest aircraft by length ever built, swiping the title from the Antonov An-225 Mriya – a Soviet-era giant with a length of 84 metres and a wingspan of 88.4 metres. However, IFL Science reports that Mriya was destroyed in February 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine amid the Battle of Antonov Airport (Picture: Radia)