eVTOL jet develeoper Lilium has selected Astronics Corp., to design, develop, and build the Lilium Jet’s electrical power distribution system. Power distribution units play a critical role within the Lilium Jet’s innovative electrical power system. Astronics will be responsible for the secondary power distribution units (SPDUs) and charging power distribution units (CPDUs).
Lilium Jets will each be equipped with two SPDUs and one CPDU. SPDUs are responsible for high voltage (1000 VDC) to low voltage (28 VDC) conversion and for low voltage distribution and protection. Compact and light weight, the SPDUs ensure a reliable supply of power from the batteries to the aircraft’s critical systems, including flight controls, avionics, navigation, communication, sensors, internal and external lights, and passenger comfort.
The CPDU manages the battery charging operation, as well as providing additional and dissimilar sources for high voltage to low voltage power conversion and low voltage power distribution, which minimizes common-cause failure modes between the CPDU and SPDU. It also provides an additional layer of aircraft safety by monitoring insulation, detecting and reporting short circuit risks.
The supplier agreement follows more than a year of collaborative work between the two companies and marks a further key milestone in the industrialization of the Lilium Jet.