US-based Radia unveils world’s largest aircraft to boost onshore wind energy expansion

Radia has received nearly $100 million in funding from sources including LS Power, Good Growth Capital, Capital Factory, Caruso Ventures and ConocoPhillips

US firm Radia, founded in 2016, publicly launched plans to meet the challenge of designing, building and operating the world’s largest aircraft. This unique aircraft will enable the deployment of the largest wind turbines of the present and future to locations currently inaccessible to wind energy at a scale and speed that was previously impossible.

Radia’s aircraft, called WindRunner, can fly large turbine blades and other components directly to wind farm sites. In addition, Radia will lead onshore wind energy expansion in partnership with industry leaders, and work with development partners to create new onshore wind farms.

The result will be widespread availability of consistent, low-cost clean energy for the grid, green fuel production and commercial power users such as data centers. Radia will help meet escalating demand for carbon-free electricity, grow the wind energy market, create compelling business opportunities in renewables and help the world meet its decarbonization goals.

Radia has received nearly $100 million in funding from sources including LS Power, Good Growth Capital, Capital Factory, Caruso Ventures and ConocoPhillips.

“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,” Radia CEO Mark Lundstrom said.

According to the firm, the innovative design of WindRunner only requires a 6,000-foot semi-prepared dirt or gravel landing strip at a wind farm to deliver its payload. This also enables it to land at almost any commercial airport around the world. WindRunner will be 356 feet long and its volume is 12 times that of a 747, and an overall length of 356 feet to carry the largest payloads ever moved by air.

Radia plans to produce a fleet of certified aircraft at Radia’s U.S. assembly site. WindRunner is more than halfway through the time required to design, build and certify an aircraft.