Airbility, Schübeler Collaborate on eVTOL Propulsion

Airbility and Germany-based propulsion developer Schübeler have signed a strategic agreement focused on development of next-generation electric ducted fan propulsion systems for high-speed eVTOL aircraft and advanced air mobility applications.  The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a framework for collaboration involving electric ducted fan propulsion technologies, hybrid propulsion integration, engineering support for airworthiness certification, and participation in Korea-Germany aerospace research and development programs.

Airbility, an advanced air mobility company based in South Korea, develops high-speed eVTOL aircraft platforms intended for defense, public safety, and advanced mobility applications. Founded in 2023 by aerospace specialists from Hyundai Motor Company and South Korea’s Agency for Defense Development, the company develops aircraft platforms including the AB-U10 and AB-U60.

According to Airbility, the company’s aircraft architectures are designed to support both vertical takeoff and landing capability and high-speed cruise performance through proprietary system integration technologies.

Schübeler, headquartered in Bad Lippspringe, Germany, develops high-performance electric ducted fan propulsion systems and aerospace propulsion technologies used across advanced aviation, defense, robotics, UAV, and autonomous aerial platform applications. The company is known within the aerospace and unmanned systems sectors for development of high-efficiency EDF systems engineered for demanding flight environments requiring compact propulsion architectures, aerodynamic efficiency, and high thrust-to-weight performance.

The companies stated that the partnership builds on an existing technical collaboration involving electric ducted fan technologies and propulsion system integration.

Under the agreement, Airbility and Schübeler will cooperate in several areas involving customization of EDF propulsion systems for Airbility’s eVTOL aircraft, joint development of next-generation propulsion platforms, hybrid propulsion system integration, and engineering support associated with certification activities.  The collaboration also reflects broader industry activity surrounding development of electric propulsion technologies supporting advanced air mobility platforms, autonomous aerial systems, and next-generation vertical flight architectures.

Electric ducted fan systems are increasingly being evaluated across the eVTOL sector for applications requiring compact propulsion architectures, thrust efficiency, aerodynamic integration, and reduced acoustic signatures compared with some conventional propulsion approaches.

“Schübeler is a globally recognized specialist in EDF propulsion technology. By building on the product-level collaboration the two companies have accumulated, we will pursue full-cycle cooperation spanning joint R&D, new product development, and market expansion — laying the foundation for Korea’s high-speed eVTOL technology to enter the European market in earnest,” said Jinmo Lee, CEO & Co-Founder of Airbility.

“Building on the collaborative experience we have developed with Airbility, this strategic partnership is a natural next step for both companies. Together, we will develop next-generation EDF solutions and set a new benchmark for the global eVTOL industry,” said Francois Gerner, Co-CEO of Schübeler.

The companies stated that the agreement is intended to support expansion of a broader international eVTOL technology ecosystem involving propulsion systems, certification engineering, and scalable aerospace manufacturing collaboration between South Korea and Europe.

About Airbility

Airbility develops advanced air mobility platforms, high-speed eVTOL aircraft, and autonomous aerospace systems intended for defense, emergency response, public safety, and next-generation mobility applications. The company develops aircraft systems involving vertical takeoff and landing technologies, high-speed cruise architectures, propulsion integration, and mission-specific aerial platforms supporting advanced aviation and autonomous flight operations. For more information, please click here.

About Schübeler

Schübeler develops electric ducted fan propulsion technologies and high-performance aerospace propulsion systems supporting aerospace, defense, robotics, UAV, and advanced mobility applications worldwide. The company designs and manufactures EDF propulsion platforms engineered for high-efficiency thrust generation, aerodynamic optimization, and compact propulsion integration across advanced aircraft and unmanned aerial systems. Schübeler propulsion technologies are used within experimental aviation, advanced UAV systems, defense platforms, and emerging advanced air mobility architectures requiring lightweight, high-performance electric propulsion systems.

The company’s propulsion technologies support applications involving autonomous aerial vehicles, advanced aviation research, aerospace engineering development, and next-generation electric flight systems. To learn more, please click here. 

Source/Photo Credit: Schübeler

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