Successful entry: VEXTRA – FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences
Successful entry: VEXTRA – FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences
VEXTRA (Versatile EXperimental Testbed for Research in Aviation) is a modular CS-23 research aircraft demonstrator that, thanks to its quickly interchangeable wings with different aspect ratios (AR 10 and AR 15), enables a particularly wide range of flight experiments on wing and propulsion technologies. The concept combines a simple, robust base architecture with three electric propulsors and a permanently installed, hydrogen-powered standard propulsion unit that ensures reliable baseline operation while also allowing fuel cells to be used flexibly as non-flight-critical test systems. Standardised mechanical and electrical interfaces allow both complete wings and outer wing sections to be swapped and, if required, the aircraft can also be operated without engine nacelles. Particularly noteworthy are the comprehensive, literature and computer-based design, the well-thought-out flap configurations and the robust emergency concept with battery backup in the event of complete propulsion failure.
