On Oct. 15, Archer Aviation (Santa Clara, Calif., U.S.) announced that it has won the competitive bid process to acquire Lilium GmbH’s (Munich, Germany) portfolio of ~300 advanced air mobility (AAM) patent assets for €18 million, including patents relating to key innovations in high-voltage systems, battery management, advanced aircraft design, flight controls, electric engines, propellers and ducted fans. Archer’s portfolio now includes more than 1,000 patent assets worldwide.

Lilium filed for insolvency in November 2024, but was committed to finding fresh support to ensure the Lilium Jet eVTOL program’s continuation. This most recent transaction by Archer follows industry consolidation in the AAM sector, including a recent acquisition of Volocopter by a Chinese buyer.

“Lilium’s 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,” says Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer.

Over the course of its development since its founding in 2015, Lilium spent more than $1.5 billion to develop the key enabling technologies related to its visionary eVTOL platform that was regarded by many as “technologically ahead of its time.” Through this purchase, Archer gains key enabling technologies that bolster its current platforms.

In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced the modernization of the airworthiness certification (MOSAIC) final rule to drive innovation across the light sport sector. Archer believes Lilium’s ducted fan technology could unlock future development in both the light sport and regional air mobility sectors.