At CIRA, the future of air cargo: Campania meets the RADIA consortium

On 30 October, CIRA hosted in Capua a full day of discussions dedicated to the international RADIA–WindRunner program, an initiative promoted by an American–European consortium to develop the world’s largest cargo aircraft by internal volume, designed for transporting exceptional oversized loads.

The event, organized by the Campania Aerospace District (DAC), offered the consortium an opportunity to gain direct insight into the region’s ecosystem of advanced education and aerospace technological research, through presentations from leading academic institutions and research centers across Campania.

The day opened with an overview of CIRA’s activities and a tour of its laboratories and major testing facilities, followed by a presentation of the RADIA project. Representatives from the universities of Campania – Federico II, Vanvitelli, Parthenope, and Salerno – along with CNR, INAF, ENEA, and the CORISTA Consortium, discussed capabilities, areas of excellence, and opportunities for collaboration in key aerospace research domains.

The WindRunner project sets out an ambitious roadmap, aiming for initial flight tests within four years and the start of production within six. In this context, the meeting at CIRA served as a strategic opportunity to connect the Campania research and innovation network with a major international program, opening new avenues of cooperation for universities, research centers, and suppliers across the regional aerospace supply chain.