Archer acquires Lilium patents for $21 million

Archer strengthens its position in electric air mobility by acquiring some 300 strategic patents from Lilium, covering key technologies in vertical flight and electric propulsion.

The acquisition covers major innovations such as ducted fans, propellers, electric motors, high-voltage systems, advanced battery management and flight controls. With this transaction, Archer brings its global portfolio to more than 1,000 intellectual property assets worldwide. “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,” commented Archer founder and CEO Adam Goldstein.

The company is banking on these innovations to accelerate the development of its Midnight aircraft, designed for fast urban journeys of 15 to 30 minutes. This acquisition is part of a broader consolidation trend in the sector, where patents are becoming a strategic tool for survival and technological dominance. In a market that is still maturing, control of intellectual property is now a major barrier to entry before the certification and industrial production stage.

Lilium, a European dream turned case study

Founded in Munich in 2015, Lilium GmbH raised and spent more than $1.5 billion (≈ €1.4 billion) to develop the Lilium Jet, an eVTOL with ducted fans that was praised for its technological innovation. The company promised a quiet, clean and efficient air taxi, but never managed to obtain certification or build a viable business model. High industrial costs and a lack of dedicated infrastructure led Lilium to cease operations at the end of 2024, before its assets were put up for sale. Its fate illustrates a typical case study of disruptive innovation: visionary ambition and a functional prototype, but no go-to-market strategy. Lilium’s journey thus reveals the high risk inherent in eVTOL, a sector where research and development are not enough without a concrete industrial and commercial model.

A strategic boost for Archer

By absorbing Lilium’s technological heritage, Archer not only acquires valuable intellectual capital, but also a decisive competitive advantage. Technologies related to ducted propulsion and electrical systems could be integrated into its future models, improving energy efficiency and safety while paving the way for new applications. These prospects are also supported by a more favourable regulatory environment. In July 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) adopted the MOSAIC (Modernisation of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule, which relaxes and modernises the criteria applicable to light aircraft. This reform now makes it possible to envisage eVTOLs for multiple uses: urban air taxis, regional electric aviation and even light-sport aviation. But despite this progress, Archer will still have to complete the key stages of certification, large-scale production and public acceptance before it can become commercially viable. Nevertheless, this acquisition confirms its desire to establish itself as the American leader in electric flight, while learning from Lilium’s experience that technology is only as good as its ability to become an economically viable product.