Lilium selects Thales for eVTOL antennae

From minimising drag and weight to optimising antenna placement, Thales' expertise will be instrumental in the success of Lilium's ambitious eVTOL program while advancing sustainability goals.

A partnership between Thales and Lilium means that the planned shipset for Lilium's eVTOL fleet will include an optimal blend of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and bespoke antennas. These antennas include VHF Com + GPS, Wi-Fi/LTE, ELT, GNSS, DME, VOR, LOC, Glideslope, UAT and Transponder, ensuring seamless communication and navigation capabilities.

With over 50 years of industry-leading experience, Thales is renowned for excellence in airborne antenna manufacturing. Their understanding of fixed-wing and helicopter platforms, uniquely positions the company to tackle the challenges inherent in eVTOL aircraft design. From minimising drag and weight to optimising antenna placement, Thales' expertise will be instrumental in the success of Lilium's ambitious eVTOL program while advancing sustainability goals.

“Quality and experience are key factors in choosing the right supplier for each component for the Lilium Jet," says Martin Schuebel, Senior Vice President of Procurement at Lilium. "We are happy that we are working with Thales Aerospace Communications who are producing high quality navigation and communication antennas for our Lilium Jets and have decades of experiences in the field.”

"The Regional Air Mobility segment presents a unique opportunity to assist eVTOL aircraft manufacturers as they seek to overcome the cost and time challenges of metropolitan air transportation," adds Nicolas Bonleux, Vice-President, Thales Aerospace Communications. "We have greatly enjoyed collaborating with Lilium and learning about their Regional Air Mobility challenges, and we believe this experience will enhance our position as a trusted supplier to this domain.”