This Late-Stage Startup Plans 'Ultra-Large' Windrunner Aircraft To Solve US Military Logistics, Transport Chinooks And F-35
News Summary
Radia, a late-stage startup, is proposing its colossal 'Windrunner' aircraft for military cargo transport, including fighter jets and Chinook helicopters. Developed in Boulder, Colorado, the Windrunner is reportedly designed to offer 12 times the cargo capacity of the Pentagon's main heavy-lift aircraft, Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III, capable of transporting F-35Cs or CH-47 Chinooks without disassembly. The Windrunner measures 356 feet long with a 261-foot wingspan, accommodating payloads up to 344 feet in length, 33 feet in width, and nearly 30 feet in height. It is also engineered to operate from unpaved runways as short as 6,000 feet, significantly shorter than the 8,000 feet typically required for today's larger military cargo planes. Its maximum payload range is up to 1,200 miles, slightly less than the F-35C's 1,350-mile range. Radia's initiative comes as startups increasingly impact the defense sector, exemplified by Senra (founded by ex-SpaceX engineers) and Salesforce's new Missionforce division. Radia's entry could disrupt military logistics and transportation dynamics, posing a potential challenge to established platforms like Boeing's C-17.
Background
The efficiency and capability of U.S. military logistics are crucial for global military deployments and rapid response. Currently, Boeing's C-17 Globemaster III serves as the U.S. Department of Defense's primary heavy-lift aircraft, playing a critical role in strategic airlift. However, its capacity to transport ultra-large or multiple fighter jets without disassembly is limited. In recent years, innovative forces have emerged in the defense sector, with many startups leveraging agile development and nascent technologies to challenge the dominance of traditional large defense contractors. For example, Senra, founded by ex-SpaceX engineers, focuses on revamping U.S. defense manufacturing, while Salesforce has entered the government-grade AI software market with its Missionforce division. Under President Trump's re-elected administration, there is a continued emphasis on military modernization and readiness, creating market demand for disruptive defense technologies.
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