Lilium has successfully completed the first phase of integration testing of the Lilium Jet's electrical power system at the company's purpose-built laboratory. The test completion represents a key milestone on the path to flight conditions approval and type certification. It means that while the first two Lilium Jets take shape on the production line, engineers are already verifying the design of the aircraft's core powertrain functionalities that will support certification according to EASA's SC-VTOL rules.

The electrical power system lab is located at Lilium's headquarters as part of the company's test campus on the outskirts of Munich, Germany. It replicates the Lilium Jet's powertrain in a controlled test environment, and integrates low voltage systems that supply the aircraft's avionics and cabin systems, onboard energy isolation units that prevent hazardous energy release and a functioning charging station.

Using customised software, Lilium engineers plot flight profiles, run tests and gather corresponding data in real time. The data gathered will be used to provide evidence to the airworthiness authorities to demonstrate the aircraft's safety and compliance with the type certification requirements.

The lab, which also provides a safe environment in which to inject faults and demonstrate system robustness to failures, has been developed and built in cooperation with Italian supplier EN4, a specialist in advanced testing solutions for aerospace, automotive, railway and industrial applications. For the testing environment, Lilium and EN4 have made extensive use of software and hardware provided by NI, formerly known as National Instruments.

Stephen Vellacott, Lilium's chief technology officer, says: “With the completion of the first phase of electrical power integration and verification testing at our dedicated lab we have again reached a critical milestone in the Lilium Jet development. In this new lab, we test flights, charging and simulate failure scenarios to ensure that our powertrain meets stringent aviation safety and reliability standards. From first flight to certification and product launch, the lab enables us to demonstrate that our aircraft will be a world-leading product.”

Gianluca Franchi, EN4 business development director, adds: “We are proud to have partnered with Lilium in building this cutting-edge test rig, which has been designed to be a long-term asset supporting the Lilium Jet through certification and beyond. Thanks also to NI's test and measurement technologies we were able to provide a comprehensive solution for Lilium's electrical power system lab, ensuring extremely high accuracy in the measurements provided, while also maintaining operational flexibility essential for a dynamic sector like electric aerial mobility.”

In parallel, Lilium continues to progress with the production of the first Lilium Jets which will be used as part of the Lilium Jet type certification programme. The first Lilium Jet will be used exclusively for ground testing and the second jet will be used for the first manned flight.

From 2015 to today, Lilium has produced multiple generations of technology demonstrators through which it has tested and refined the core technology subsystems for the Lilium Jet. Since 2022, two of Lilium's Phoenix test aircraft, a full-scale five seat design representative of the flight physics and technology of the Lilium Jet, have performed extensive flight testing in Spain, including full transition from vertical to horizontal flight and cruise speed of 136 knots (250 kilometres per hour).