Lilium has started installation of assembly equipment for the serial production of the Lilium Jet's propulsion units. Prototype propulsion units are due to start coming off the new line in Q2 2024 to be used for testing and the flight test campaign.

Lilium has partnered with Schnaithmann Maschinenbau for design and construction of the propulsion assembly line. The Germany-based automation and robotics company is also supporting Lilium with workflow design and jigs and tools for Lilium's aerostructures assembly and the Lilium Jet final assembly line.

Collaboration between Lilium and Schnaithmann started several years ago with initial development of production plans for the Lilium Jet. Lilium's aerostructures assembly line is already utilising equipment provided by Schnaithmann for handling of the wings and canards. The propulsion assembly line is located in the same building as Lilium's aerostructures assembly line.

Lilium senior vice president manufacturing Jan Nowacki says: "We are delighted to be able to move forward towards production of our jet propulsion system. The electric jet engine is a unique, core Lilium technology, critical for aircraft performance and for which we have secured not only a team of highly qualified system suppliers but also important intellectual property. With the support of Schnaithmann, we look forward to implementing manufacturing solutions capable of being scaled-up and replicated for high-volume production."

Gerd Maier, Schnaithmann member of the management board, sales and marketing, adds: "With nearly 40 years of experience in supplying automation technology to global industries, we are proud to participate in the industrialisation of the Lilium Jet. The eVTOL industry has the potential to change aviation in a positive, sustainable way, and we are delighted to be able to play a key role in helping Lilium scale up towards high-volume production."

The electric jet propulsion unit is a core company technology and key to providing the required performance, unit economics and comfort for regional air mobility. Consisting of electric jet engines integrated into the propulsion mounting system that forms the rear part of the wings and front aerofoils, the propulsion system will provide advantages in payload, aerodynamic efficiency and a reduced noise profile, while also providing thrust vector control to manoeuvre the Lilium Jet through every phase of flight.

Major subassemblies of the propulsion unit are delivered to Lilium by a team of qualified suppliers including Honeywell in alliance with Denso (e-motor), Aeronamic (fan) and SKF (electric motor bearings).

In 2023, following successful testing and characterisation of engine systems, including the fan, stator and e-motor, Lilium assembled the first complete Lilium Jet electric engine on a pre-series line. Its e-motor has been designed to deliver industry-leading power density of over 100kW from a system weighing just over 4kg.