Archer Beats Out Joby for Lilium eVTOL Patents

Archer Aviation secures about 300 patents covering ducted fans, propellers, engines, and more.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Air taxi developer Archer Aviation has secured patents covering everything from ducted fans to aircraft design. [Courtesy: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation acquired approximately 300 advanced air mobility (AAM) patents, including Lilium's ducted fan technology, from the bankrupt German eVTOL developer for $21 million.
This acquisition aims to expand Archer's product roadmap beyond passenger air taxis into sectors such as cargo, defense, and potentially light sport aircraft, leveraging technologies Lilium spent over $1.5 billion developing.
The deal underscores a significant consolidation trend in the eVTOL industry, where many developers are struggling financially and selling assets or going out of business due to extended commercial service timelines.
Despite industry challenges, major players like Archer and Joby are making strategic acquisitions, while the sector benefits from new regulatory agreements and government investment programs.

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Electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Archer Aviation just got its hands on a fresh set of advanced air mobility (AAM) blueprints.

The California-based company on Wednesday announced it secured about 300 patents from German eVTOL jet developer Lilium for close to $21 million, winning a competitive bid process that reportedly included competitor Joby Aviation. Lilium—which had been developing a seven-passenger model with ducted fan-based propulsion—shut down its operations in February after failing to secure financing that would have kept it afloat during the rigorous development process.