Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM), a leader in electric aircraft manufacturing and Regional Air Mobility (RAM), has moves forwards with its eVTOL engine development and testing. The company completed the first phase of integration testing for the Lilium Jet’s electrical power system at its custom-built lab.
This achievement marks significant progress towards flight conditions approval and type-certification of the innovative Lilium Jet.
Engine Testing
As the first two Lilium Jets take shape on the production line, engineers are already validating the aircraft’s core powertrain functions. These tests will support certification under EASA’s SC-VTOL rules.
Located at Lilium’s headquarters near Munich, the new electrical power system lab replicates the Lilium eVTOL Jet’s powertrain in a controlled environment. It includes:
- Low voltage systems for avionics and cabin systems
- Onboard energy isolation units to prevent hazardous energy release
- A functioning charging station
Engineers use custom software to simulate flight profiles, run tests, and collect real-time data. This information will demonstrate the aircraft’s safety and compliance with type-certification requirements to airworthiness authorities.
The lab also allows for safe fault injection to prove system robustness. Lilium developed this facility in partnership with EN4, an Italian specialist in advanced testing solutions. The testing environment uses cutting-edge software and hardware from NI (formerly National Instruments).
Type Certification Program Advances
Stephen Vellacott, Lilium’s Chief Technology Officer, said: “Completing the first phase of electrical power integration and verification testing is a critical milestone.”
“In this lab, we test flights, charging, and simulate failures to ensure our powertrain meets strict aviation safety standards. It enables us to prove our aircraft will be a world-leading product from first flight to certification and launch.”
Gianluca Franchi, EN4’s Business Development Director, added: “We’re proud to partner with Lilium on this cutting-edge test rig. It’s designed to support the Lilium Jet through certification and beyond.”
“NI’s technologies helped us provide a comprehensive solution, ensuring high measurement accuracy and operational flexibility crucial for electric aerial mobility.”
Meanwhile, the company continues producing the first Lilium Jets for the type-certification program. The first jet will undergo ground testing, while the second will perform the initial manned flight.
Since 2015, Lilium has developed multiple technology demonstrators to refine the Lilium Jet’s core systems. Two Phoenix test aircraft, full-scale 5-seater designs representing the Lilium Jet’s flight physics and technology, have undergone extensive testing in Spain since 2022.
They’ve achieved full transition from vertical to horizontal flight and reached cruise speeds of 136 knots (250 km/h).
About Lilium
Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM) is creating a sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods.
The Lilium Jet is an all-electric vertical take-off and landing jet (eVTOL), designed to offer leading capacity, low noise, and high performance with zero operating emissions.
So far, the company has 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.
A 1,000 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.
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