Today, aviation accounts for roughly 4 percent of man’s global climate impact. A number that must be reduced to close to zero by the year 2050 in order to reach the goals of the Paris Agreement. The energy efficiency of today’s aircraft engines is not enough to meet the increased number of air travel on its own.
A limitation that points to a clear need for new solutions.
Lilium has been exploring the possibility of building electric aircraft since 2015. Now SKF is contributing a key component in the form of bearings to the aircraft’s engine. The collaboration gives the industrial company a unique opportunity to promote ground-breaking innovation that could change the way we transport both people and goods.
Climate-neutral air travel
With electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Lilium wants to build better transportation options. The innovative company believes that the growing market for electric aircraft has great potential to change the way we look at aviation and logistics and thereby allow sustainable transport. Greg Zimmerman, Director Aerospace Business Unit at SKF, agrees and emphasizes that the industry is changing.
– With electrification, the aviation industry will undergo a transformation in the coming years. We are happy to be part of the development as a supplier of bearings for Lilium Jet’s electric motor. The collaboration is in line with our strategic focus on sustainability and our commitments to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. We are the first warehouse supplier with a dedicated product portfolio and strong partnership in this exciting electric aircraft segment, says Greg Zimmerman.
Innovative power from SKF in electric motors
SKF has contributed to the design of the aircraft’s electric motor, and after a supplier agreement was signed in 2023, the company will continue to be responsible for the production of electric motor bearings. Joint efforts together with solid processing have led to SKF’s bearing components now undergoing final certification and qualification tests.
With a dedicated team in electrical avionics and technical support, SKF has helped Lilium reduce system weight, meet the requirements of aerospace industry certifications and meet the goals of low costs and short lead times. SKF has also offered support to Lilium through impact and endurance tests at the company’s own aerospace development center in Valence, France.
– SKF’s component plays an important role for our electric motor and we have been impressed by the progress made possible thanks to the collaboration. We chose SKF based on their ability to provide quality and safe products. The agreement is fully in line with our supply chain strategy, which is based on strong partnerships with established Tier 1 airlines, says Martin Schuebel, SVP Procurement Operations at Lilium Jet.
Fast travel routes and efficient logistics
The vision is for the aircraft to revolutionize regional air mobility. Lilium’s plan enables faster travel than existing high-speed alternatives and will thus create sustainable transport networks. The jet engine is based on traditional principles of simplified bottling. A single electric and emission-free rotor system drives the engines integrated into the plane’s wing flaps. A design that enables maneuvering through vectorized traction.
Thanks to the flexibility of the engines, Lilium’s aircraft can take off and land vertically without a runway. The design also brings benefits for payload, aerodynamic efficiency and lower noise levels. The plan can be adapted for a range of different customers and needs. They not only function as private and passenger flights, but can also be used as cargo aircraft and strengthen the emission-free logistics market.
Innovation for sustainable transformation
For a circular society with net zero emissions, industrial transformation is required. By letting sustainability pervade the business, SKF strives for a better tomorrow. An ambition that played an important role in the success of the collaboration. SKF continues to face an exciting time when technical solutions that promote the industry’s sustainable transformation must be developed.
Source: www.nyteknik.se
