Roughly a year after German AAM startup Lilium GmbH first filed for insolvency, leading U.S-based eVTOL specialist Archer Aviation has announced the acquisition of the company’s patent portfolio at a cost of EUR18.0 million (USD21.0 million) via a competitive process. Archer’s acquisition encompasses roughly 300 of Lilium’s AAM-centric patents. Notable patents encompassed under the deal extend from Lilium’s flagship aircraft concepts to individual design elements and components such as propellers, engines, flight controls and ducted fans, with Archer representatives identifying the last of these as having particularly significant developmental potential.
For many years, Germany’s Lilium was considered a prominent market contender in the race towards eVTOL commercialization. The company deployed some $1.5 billion towards AAM developmental efforts, culminating in the attainment of FAA G-1 Certification Basis for its Lilium Jet eVTOL platform in 2023. However, investment shortfalls saw the company file for insolvency not long thereafter in October, 2024.
