Archer Aviation Acquires Lilium Patent Portfolio for €18 Million

Archer Aviation has acquired approximately 300 patents from Lilium GmbH for €18 million (US$21 million). The transaction was announced on October 15, months after Lilium’s insolvency and bankruptcy filing.

The patent portfolio covers high-voltage systems, battery management, aircraft design, flight controls, electric motors, propellers, and ducted fans. Archer expects the acquisition to bolster its position in the next generation of electric aviation.

The advanced air mobility sector has experienced recent consolidation, including the purchase of Volocopter by a Chinese buyer. Industry observers note that intellectual property has become a key asset as companies seek to secure competitive advantages.

Lilium invested over $1.5 billion developing its eVTOL platform and related technologies. Despite this investment, the company was unable to secure an additional €200 million in funding required for its Lilium Jet project.

Lilium’s financial difficulties culminated in insolvency and a bankruptcy filing after unsuccessful efforts to attract new investment. The patent sale forms part of the company’s asset liquidation process.

“Lilium’s pioneering work advanced the frontier of eVTOL design and technology, and we’re excited to bring their cutting-edge technologies into the fold at Archer as we advance our product roadmap,” said Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer.

Archer recently presented its Midnight eVTOL model at the 2025 NBAA event and is expected to integrate acquired technologies as it advances its product development roadmap.

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Ricardo Meier

Creator of the website that started in 1996 as a magazine. He also writes on Brazilian websites AUTOO, MOTOO and MetrôCPTM.

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