Lilium and Michelin have announced a partnership to produce custom tires for the Lilium Jet.
The firms began working together more than a year ago to develop the tires and have now signed a final agreement covering design, serial production, and support. The first tires are expected to be delivered to Lilium facilities this month.
Sophie Bréchoire, President of the Michelin Group aeronautic activities, said: “The Michelin tire designed for the Lilium Jet is truly one-of-a-kind and a major advancement in this critical aviation component. It marries the challenge of lightweight construction for eVTOL aircraft with the renowned quality and reliability of Michelin aircraft tires. This collaboration, which will introduce new standards in durability for aircraft tires, is a perfect illustration of the Michelin Group’s strategy of supporting the transformation of aviation to make it more sustainable.”
The Michelin-produced tires offer best-in-class weight efficiency, they are also specially designed to facilitate safe vertical take-off and landing operations.
Klaus Roewe, CEO of Lilium, said: “We are proud of the innovation and development work completed alongside Michelin that has culminated in this agreement. This critical component, which will help to mobilise and operate our jet at our required specifications and performance levels, serves as a confirmation of our unrelenting pursuit of innovation and sustainability in regional air mobility.”
