Liebherr to supply electromechanical rudder actuator for Embraer Phenom 300EV
Why It MattersA fully integrated electromechanical rudder actuator moving into primary flight control on a civil business jet signals a shift from hydraulic toward electric actuation across new-generation light jet designs.
Liebherr-Aerospace has signed an agreement with Embraer to supply the rudder actuator for the rudder-by-wire upgrade of the Phenom 300EV flight control system. The upgrade includes an electromechanical rudder actuator with integrated control and power electronics. The companies describe it as one of the world's first primary flight control applications of an ElectroMechanical Actuator (EMA) for a rudder on a civil aircraft, and the first rudder EMA with fully integrated electronics.
The actuator, developed and manufactured by Liebherr-Aerospace, will become standard on the Phenom 300EV. The aircraft received triple certification from ANAC, the FAA and EASA in 2026 and is scheduled to enter service in 2028. Development and production will be carried out by Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH in Lindenberg, Germany, in cooperation with Liebherr-Elektronik GmbH in Lindau, Germany, and Liebherr's on-site team at Embraer's facilities in Brazil.
Dr. Klaus Schneider, Chief Technology Officer at Liebherr-Aerospace & Transportation SAS, called the contract a historic milestone that strengthens the relationship with Embraer. He said Liebherr has followed Embraer's requirements for the actuator since the early development stages, and that its electric fly-by-wire actuator technology improves the maintainability, reliability and maneuverability of future aircraft. The Embraer–Liebherr relationship goes back more than four decades, with Liebherr-Aerospace having provided landing gears, air management systems and flight control systems for more than ten different Embraer programs across business, defense and civil aircraft.
