Airbility, an advanced air mobility company based in the Republic of Korea, has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Schübeler GmbH of Germany for strategic cooperation in electric ducted fan (EDF) propulsion technology. Under the agreement, the two companies will pursue multi-dimensional collaboration, including the joint development of next-generation EDF propulsion systems for eVTOL platforms and joint participation in Korea–Germany international R&D programmes, say the two companies in a press release.
“Airbility is a high-speed eVTOL developer that delivers both vertical take-off/landing and high-speed cruise performance through its proprietary system integration capabilities,” says the press release. “The company develops and manufactures high-speed eVTOL aircraft including the AB-U10 and AB-U60, offering mission-based solutions for counter-UAS and disaster response (DFR, Drone as First Responder) across the defense, public safety, and personal aviation markets.
Schübeler is a designer and manufacturer of high-performance aero propulsion systems, serving global customers across the aerospace, automotive, defense, and robotics sectors.
Under the MoU, Airbility and Schübeler will cooperate across four key areas: (customization of EDF products for Airbility’s eVTOL platforms; joint development of next-generation EDF propulsion systems; collaboration on hybrid propulsion system integration; and engineering support for airworthiness certification. “The agreement is expected to serve as a key inflection point for Airbility to extend beyond its domestic technology base and build a global eVTOL value chain together with a proven European propulsion technology partner,” says the release.
Jinmo Lee, CEO & Co-Founder of Airbility, stated, “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.”
For more information
www.schubeler.com