US, NATO look to WindRunner as next-generation heavy transport

The US company Radia has unveiled a concept for an ultra-large military transport aircraft that could reshape future airlift operations for the United States and NATO.

The design, called the WindRunner, was presented at the 2025 Air, Space & Cyber Conference, according to Breaking Defense. The aircraft is projected to become the largest military transport plane ever built and is intended to fill a critical gap in global heavy airlift capacity.

The WindRunner will measure 109 meters in length with an 84-meter wingspan. Its cargo hold will extend 106 meters, enabling it to carry loads such as six CH-47 Chinook helicopters or several fuselages of C-130J Super Hercules aircraft. With an internal volume exceeding 6,800 cubic meters—seven times that of the C-5 and twelve times that of the C-17—the aircraft emphasizes space rather than maximum payload.

Despite its immense size, the WindRunner’s payload capacity is projected at about 72,575 kilograms, lower than the Ukrainian-built An-225 Mriya. However, Radia highlights that cargo transport is often constrained more by volume than by weight. As the company’s representative, Lundstrom, explained, the WindRunner is being designed for an “obnoxious amount of volume,” while maintaining payload performance roughly comparable to the C-17.

The program continues to advance under the Trump administration, which has abandoned many of the green energy policies of its predecessor. While Trump has been highly critical of offshore wind farms, Lundstrom noted that onshore wind projects remain in demand, particularly as the AI boom drives US energy consumption.

To accelerate development, Radia is incorporating major tier-one components already in production, aiming to simplify the certification process. Lundstrom declined to disclose details such as the engines selected but said the company expects the WindRunner to achieve its first flights and enter “initial operations” by around 2030, even as full certification proceeds.

Radia intends to market the aircraft with “competitive pricing on a per-unit basis,” though no cost figures were provided. Alongside direct sales, the company is considering alternative arrangements, including government-owned/contractor-operated models or entirely contractor-owned and operated missions.

Asked about potential features such as in-flight refueling to extend the aircraft’s range, Lundstrom said the immediate priority is rapid deployment, with additional military-specific systems to be added later. “We’ve been very passionate about building the maximum capability in the minimum amount of time,” he said. “To do that, we realize there are some military systems we’ll add later, but we want to provide this capability in 2030 because the world needs it.”

The push for a new super-heavy transport aircraft comes at a time when reliance on Ukraine’s Antonov fleet is becoming unsustainable. Aging aircraft, coupled with the absence of current production for models like the An-124 Ruslan, mean global demand for large-capacity airlift is expected to grow sharply in the coming years.

By Tamilla Hasanova