Liebherr-Aerospace has received an order from Embraer to supply an electromechanical rudder actuator for the Phenom 300EV business jet. The system is intended to become standard equipment on the aircraft and forms part of an upgraded flight-control architecture. Deliveries of the certified aircraft are planned to begin in 2028, with the actuator extending electrically powered control into a primary flight-control application.
The actuator is among the first reported civil-aircraft applications of an electromechanical drive for a rudder used as a primary flight control. Its control and power electronics are integrated into the unit, replacing a conventional hydraulic actuation arrangement. Liebherr expects the compact, lightweight design to simplify maintenance while supporting improved reliability and controllability.
Development and production will be led by Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg in Germany, in cooperation with Liebherr-Electronics in Lindau and Embraer teams in Brazil. The Phenom 300EV received certification from Brazil’s ANAC, the US Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency in 2026. Embraer’s aircraft incorporates rudder-by-wire and other electronically controlled functions through a Multi-Purpose Electronic Controller, alongside features including autoland and autobrake.