Advanced Air Mobility Modern Flying News

Lilium Completes Initial Testing of eVTOL Jet Propulsion Unit

For the first time, the Lilium Jet’s electric engines were taken up to full throttle, which the company says represents a key milestone toward crewed flight.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024 at 04:59 PM ET

Verified

Lilium’s eVTOL jet propulsion unit undergoes testing at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Munich, Germany. [Courtesy: Lilium]

Key Takeaways:

Lilium successfully completed initial full-throttle testing of its electric propulsion unit for the seven-seat Lilium Jet, a critical step towards series production.
This milestone paves the way for the aircraft's first crewed flight later this year, targeting EASA type certification in 2025 and a commercial launch in 2026.
The company is actively progressing with manufacturing, including fuselages and battery packs, and is uniquely positioned with certification bases from both EASA and the FAA.
Lilium plans to deploy its eVTOL jets commercially in the U.S., starting with South Florida and Southern California through a partnership with UrbanLink.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Lilium, manufacturer of the seven-seat, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) Lilium Jet, is gearing up for series production.

The German manufacturer on Tuesday said it completed initial testing of its flagship aircraft’s propulsion unit, comprising a pair of electric engines and mounting system. For the first time, the engines were taken up to full throttle on a test bench at the company’s headquarters in Munich.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.