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Lilium breaks ground on certification test facility for Lilium Jet with SEGULA Technologies

May 22, 2024

Lilium N.V. (NASDAQ:LILM), an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) jet developer, has announced the commencement of construction on an advanced test facility for the integration and certification testing of the Lilium Jet. The facility, designed in collaboration with global engineering group SEGULA Technologies, is located at Lilium’s headquarters near Munich, Germany, and is expected to become operational in late Summer 2024.

The test site will accommodate a fully integrated aircraft for testing the Lilium Jet’s avionics, flight controls, propulsion system, and electrical power system. The facility will be utilized to simulate flights and verify the aircraft’s performance through various flight profiles as part of the Lilium Jet’s certification campaign.

The construction of the test site, along with the building of the first Lilium Jet which began at the end of 2023, marks a significant step in Lilium’s journey towards its first piloted flight, targeted for the end of this year, and type-certification of the Lilium Jet. The test facility will enable Lilium, an EASA Design Organization Approval holder, to plan and perform tasks demonstrating compliance against the applicable certification basis independently of EASA with an agreed level of involvement.

The test facility, covering a total area of 26,000 sq. feet (2400 m2), will feature an aircraft mounting frame for aircraft loads and moments, an airflow management system to enable representative flight conditions, and charging and cooling equipment for the aircraft’s batteries. Aerodynamic testing will be facilitated by a powerful 1.2-megawatt blower, supplied by international engineering company VIRO, capable of simulating cross- and tailwinds of up to 40 mph (65 km/h).

SEGULA Technologies was chosen by Lilium for its expertise in test rigs, calculations, simulations, and its comprehensive multidisciplinary approach. The project team, comprising approximately thirty experts across several sites, brings specialized skills in mechanical design, calculation, and fluid simulations.

Stephen Vellacott, Chief Technology Officer of Lilium, said: “The test facility will be a cornerstone of the Lilium Jet certification program, allowing us to test multiple flight missions as well as failure scenarios in a controlled environment on the ground. Alongside the flight demonstration, ground-based testing will play a critical role on the path towards certification of the Lilium Jet. We are pleased to have such an experienced and reliable partner like SEGULA Technologies for the test rig design and value especially the team’s multidisciplinary approach.”

Ulrich Weide, Head of Business Development in the Aerospace Department at SEGULA Technologies, commented: “As engineers, it’s a great experience to be involved in such a project firstly, because it represents a further step in decarbonising the aviation industry. Secondly, we’ve put together a transnational team of passionate experts, which is very stimulating and fosters a rich learning environment. Together, we’re not just building aircraft; we’re pioneering the future of flight.”