Honeywell has been selected by Lilium to provide the thermal management system for the all-electric Lilium Jet. The company's MicroVCS (Vapour Cycle System) will optimise cabin cooling and manage the aircraft's electric battery temperatures, both critical functions for enabling more efficient and sustainable flight.

Honeywell's MicroVCS high-speed, oil-free centrifugal compressor technology allows the system to be 22% lighter than conventional screw or scroll compressor-based vapour cycle cooling systems. This weight savings avoids 9,900 lbs. of CO2 emissions per year in an Advanced Air Mobility aircraft. Additionally, the MicroVCS uses Honeywell Solstice zd refrigerant, with an ultra-low Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1, which is 99.9% lower than R-134a used in competitor systems. Honeywell Solstice zd provides 10% better hot-day power efficiency than the legacy R-134a refrigerant when used in an equivalent refrigeration cycle.

Honeywell and Lilium will partner to integrate the system into the Lilium Jet, which will also feature Honeywell Anthem Avionics, Honeywell-DENSO electric motors and Honeywell flight controls. The all-electric vertical takeoff and landing Lilium Jet, on track to start production later this year, will help create a more efficient, sustainable and accessible mode of high-speed, regional transportation for people and goods.

“In our collaboration with Honeywell, we've tapped into the numerous advantages of the MicroVCS, reinforcing the synergistic value with a single, innovative supplier providing multiple subsystems for the Lilium Jet,” says Lilium Chief Operating Officer Yves Yemsi. “Honeywell's innovative subsystems offer a renewed perspective on aerospace possibilities.”

“The MicroVCS is a ready-now solution that embodies Honeywell's dedication to creating a more sustainable future for air travel,” adds Dave Shilliday, Honeywell vice president and general manager, Advanced Air Mobility. “This technology is a great fit for Advanced Air Mobility vehicles, but its versatility also enables it to be seamlessly integrated into other applications, such as business aviation and defense aircraft.”

Meanwhile, production has begun of the Lilium Jet, following the arrival of the first fuselage at Lilium's final assembly line.

In the next step, the fuselage will be matched and joined with the aircraft's canards and main wings. Production of the Lilium Jet takes place at Lilium's state-of-the-art facilities in Wessling, Germany. Lilium's testing and manufacturing centre, propulsion and aerostructures facility, final assembly building, and the newly constructed battery assembly building and logistics hub, where aircraft parts are readied for integration on the final assembly line, are all located alongside one another. In total, Lilium's facilities cover an area of 175,000 square feet (16,250 sq m).

Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium, comments: “To see the first aircraft fuselage on the final assembly line ready to join up with the canard and wings is a proud moment for everyone involved in our mission to make aviation sustainable. We firmly believe the Lilium Jet will usher in a new era of sustainable regional mobility, offering the highest safety standards, as well as superior comfort, unit economics, and customer experience.”

Yemsi agrees: “I'd like to pay tribute not only to all Lilians, but also to the support and commitment of each of our suppliers and partners. The progress made in designing and building the fuselage, canard and wings is a testament to the quality of collaboration with our aerostructures suppliers Aciturri and Aernnova. This once again confirms that our approach of teaming with proven aerospace suppliers is the optimal strategy as we advance along a path to certification and entry into service of the Lilium Jet.”