The wing layout is reminiscent of the
RQ-3A DarkStar, though the forward CG is far more extreme.
The propulsion approach is similar to the recently announced
Aurora LightningStrike concept, which may have prompted the ESA '
business incubation' funding.
Given that the Lilium project was only "founded in February 2015 by four engineers and doctoral students," I'd say we have a better chance of seeing the sky blackened with
Mollers,
Hoverbikes or
Terrafugias by 2018 than we do of seeing the Lilium reach the marketplace.
I/C