Lilium completes first tests of electric jet propulsion unit
Electric regional aviation pioneer Lilium has completed the first series of tests of its electric jet propulsion unit, representing an “important step towards verifying safety of flight of the Lilium…
June 26, 2024
Electric regional aviation pioneer Lilium has completed the first series of tests of its electric jet propulsion unit, representing an “important step towards verifying safety of flight of the Lilium Jet”.
Testing of the propulsion unit (comprised of two engines within a propulsion mounting system) was carried out at Lilium’s dedicated propulsion unit test bed, located at the company’s headquarters near Munich. During the testing, the engines were taken up to maximum thrust, with Lilium describing the system’s overall performance as demonstrating “the expected level of performance and reliability”.
“Over the past years, we have invested heavily in the technology and secured extensive IP rights. We now move a step closer to first manned flight and beyond that to the era of commercial electric flight,” said Stephen Vellacott, Lilium’s chief technology officer.
The first propulsion unit tests follows comprehensive testing of the engine, developed and built in collaboration with Lilium’s team of suppliers (including Denso, Honweywell, Aeronamic and SKF).
The initial propulsion units to be completed at Lilium’s production line in the coming months will be used for ground testing and integration in the first flight aircraft, with various first components recently delivered from suppliers Aernnova and Sener.
