Cranfield University in Bedford, United Kingdom, is actively involved in the EXAELIA project led by the Dutch National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR) to develop testbeds for next-generation aircraft. The €16 million, 42-month project aims to advance knowledge in building and using smaller scale flying testbeds with a focus on tube and wing aircraft, blended wing body airliners, and new propulsion systems like hydrogen. Cranfield is leading the design of the BWB testbeds, legal paradigms, flight test practices, and contributing significantly to hydrogen powertrain design. Blended wing body (BWB) aircraft, a key focus of the project, merge fuselage and wings to enhance aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, payload capacity, and reduce noise levels. The use of composite materials is crucial for weight savings in BWB designs. Cranfield's involvement builds on decades of aeronautical innovation with an emphasis on achieving net-zero emissions from aviation through radical aircraft concept rethinks. Dr. Guy Gratton, leading the project at Cranfield, emphasizes the importance of de-risking and validating technologies for sustainable aviation. The university's expertise in BWB aircraft is evidenced by past projects like EnabEl and building BWB aircraft for Boeing. Cranfield's commitment to sustainability is further highlighted by investing in a large-scale hydrogen research hub at a U.K. airport, exploring the potential of hydrogen in aviation. The project involves key industry partners like Airbus, Safran, Rolls-Royce, and NASA, underlining its significance in advancing sustainable aviation solutions.