Lilium N.V. (Nasdaq: LILM), a leading manufacturer of electric aircraft and pioneer in Regional Air Mobility (RAM), has successfully completed the first series of tests of its electric jet propulsion unit. The electric engines were tested at maximum thrust on the propulsion unit test bench, marking a significant achievement in the pursuit of zero operating emissions flight and a crucial step towards verifying the safety of the Lilium Jet. These tests confirmed the expected performance and reliability, reinforcing Lilium’s confidence in the maturity of its electric jet propulsion system.
Testing of the propulsion unit, incorporating two engines within a propulsion mounting system, was conducted at Lilium’s dedicated propulsion unit test bed, situated at the company’s headquarters near Munich. This test bed was specifically designed for aerodynamic and electrical performance evaluation of Lilium’s jet technology.
The successful initial test of the propulsion unit follows extensive testing of the engine, developed and manufactured in collaboration with Lilium’s supplier team, including Denso and Honeywell for the e-motor, Aeronamic for the compressor fan, and SKF for the electric motor bearings.
Stephen Vellacott, Lilium’s Chief Technology Officer, stated: “The completion of the first engine test is a remarkable achievement for Lilium, further demonstrating our standing as a global leader in the advancement of electric jet propulsion technology. In recent years, we have made substantial investments in this technology and secured extensive IP rights. We are now closer than ever to achieving the first manned flight and, beyond that, to ushering in the era of commercial electric flight.”
Daniel Wiegand, Lilium Co-Founder and Chief Engineer for Innovation & Future Programs, remarked: “For my fellow co-founders and myself, the first test run of the Lilium Jet propulsion unit signifies another high point on our journey. Our shared belief in the groundbreaking potential of electric jet technology brought us together in 2015 and continues to drive Lilium towards transforming regional aviation. This latest milestone brings us closer to achieving the first manned flight and our ultimate goal of entering commercial service.”
Gearing up for series production
Lilium continues to prepare for the initial series production of the Lilium Jet propulsion unit at its propulsion assembly line near Munich. Aerostructures supplier Aernnova recently completed the first build of the Lilium Jet propulsion mounting system, the structure that houses the propulsion and vectoring systems and forms the rear part of the wings and front aerofoils. Earlier this month, the Spanish industrial engineering and technology group Sener delivered the first set of servo-actuators for the Lilium Jet. These servo-actuators enable the propulsion units to be rotated, facilitating the aircraft’s transition from vertical flight mode (during take-off and landing) to horizontal flight and vice versa. Propulsion units coming off Lilium’s production line in the coming months will be used for ground testing and integration in the first flight aircraft.
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About Lilium
Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) is developing a sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods. Using the Lilium Jet, an all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet, designed to offer leading capacity, low noise, and high performance with zero operating emissions, Lilium is accelerating the decarbonization of air travel. Collaborating with aerospace, technology, and infrastructure leaders, and with announced sales and indications of interest in Europe, the United States, China, Brazil, the UK, the United Arab Emirates, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lilium’s 1000+ strong team includes approximately 500 aerospace engineers and a leadership team responsible for delivering some of the most successful aircraft in aviation history. Founded in 2015, Lilium’s headquarters and manufacturing facilities are in Munich, Germany, with teams based across Europe and the U.S. To learn more, visit www.lilium.com.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws, including, but not limited to, statements regarding (i) Lilium N.V.’s and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Lilium Group”) proposed business and business model, (ii) the anticipated timing of the commercialization and launch of the Lilium Group’s business in phases, (iii) our ability to successfully patent or otherwise protect our intellectual property and the future performance of our innovations, (iv) the Lilium Group’s progress in producing its Lilium Jet, and (v) the timing of Lilium’s targeted regulatory and program development milestones. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “estimate,” “future,” “intend,” “may,” “on track,” “plan,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” “would” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections, and other statements about future events that are based on management’s current expectations with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risk and uncertainties that are subject to change at any time. Actual events or results may differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release include those risks and uncertainties discussed in Lilium’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023, on file with the SEC, and similarly titled sections in Lilium’s other SEC filings, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. You are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and Lilium assumes no obligation to, and does not intend to, update, or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.