EDF propulsion R&D collaboration for eVTOL aircraft

Under the agreement, the two companies will pursue the  development of  EDF propulsion systems for eVTOL platforms and joint participation in Korea–Germany international R&D programs.

Founded in 2023 by aviation specialists from Hyundai Motor Company and the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), Airbility is a high-speed eVTOL developer that delivers both vertical take-off/landing and high-speed cruise performance.

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  designs and manufactures aero propulsion systems, serving  customers across the aerospace, automotive, defense, and robotics sectors.

Under the MoU, Airbility and Schübeler will cooperate across four key areas: (i) customization of EDF products for Airbility’s eVTOL platforms; (ii) joint development of next-generation EDF propulsion systems; (iii) collaboration on hybrid propulsion system integration; and (iv) engineering support for airworthiness certification.

The agreement is expected to serve as an 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.

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.”