Lince

This summer, the Xtra2 UPV team, part of the Design Factory programme at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), will present its new aircraft prototype on Friday, 22 May, for the Air Cargo Challenge 2026, one of the most prestigious and demanding university aeronautical engineering competitions in Europe.

The project has been developed by a technical team of eleven students from a range of degree programmes, including Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunications, Geomatics and Surveying, and Electronics and Industrial Design. This team has been responsible for the design, development and manufacture of the prototype that will represent the university in the competition.

Objective: to improve on their previous 5th place

The Air Cargo Challenge brings together universities from across Europe every two years to design and build aircraft that maximise mission performance while optimising aerodynamic efficiency, structural strength, and payload capacity. In addition to in-flight performance, the jury assesses the design quality, technical documentation, and engineering approach.

The new Xtra2 UPV prototype, named Xtra-28 or 'Lince', marks a significant step forward in the evolution of the project launched in 2018 and establishes itself as one of the leading university teams in Spain in this type of competition.

In the latest edition, the team achieved fifth place, the best result ever obtained by a Spanish team in the history of the competition. This achievement recognises the group's high technical and organisational standards.

Comprehensive engineering challenge

The development of the 'Lince' has been a comprehensive engineering challenge, resulting in a twin-engine aircraft with a wingspan of 2.39 metres, a length of 2.16 metres and an empty weight of 3 kg. Its ultra-light structure allows it to carry up to 15 cans, withstand loads more than double its own weight, reach speeds over 120 km/h, and maximise distance covered in 120-second missions.

The team also highlights the educational value of the project and its commitment to continuity, aiming to build a learning community that enables future generations of students to participate in high-level applied engineering projects.

With the unveiling of the new prototype, Xtra2 UPV begins the final phase of preparation for the Air Cargo Challenge 2026, to be held in Stuttgart (Germany), where it will compete against universities from across Europe in a highly technical and competitive environment.

The project forms part of the UPV's commitment to project-based learning, fostering innovation, teamwork and the transfer of knowledge among students.