Electromechanical linear actuators for drones and eVTOL
Updated November 3, 2026
A linear actuator produces a straight-line push or pull. In aircraft it moves control surfaces, retracts landing gear, opens doors and drives payload mechanisms. Drones and electric aircraft use electromechanical actuators (EMAs), in which an electric motor drives a screw, because there is no hydraulic system on board.
How they work
An electric motor, usually brushless, turns a ball screw, roller screw or lead screw through an optional gearbox. The nut converts rotation into linear motion. A position sensor and control electronics close the loop so the actuator follows commands precisely.
Key specifications
Stroke and force (continuous and peak), and the speed at that force.
Position accuracy and backlash.
Duty cycle: control surfaces move constantly; gear and doors move occasionally.
Command interface: PWM, CAN, RS-485 or analog; integrated or external control electronics.
Failure behaviour: whether the actuator jams or frees (back-drivable) on failure, and redundancy options such as dual motors or dual channels.
Environmental qualification: temperature, vibration, sealing (IP rating) and DO-160.
Mass and power consumption.
Choosing
Size the actuator from the aerodynamic hinge moments or mechanism loads, with margins for gusts and ageing. For flight controls, jamming is a key safety concern: check how the design prevents it or how the aircraft tolerates it.
An electromechanical actuator: an electric motor and a mechanical transmission, such as a ball screw, that move a load without hydraulic fluid.
Ball screw or lead screw?
Ball and roller screws are efficient and precise, suited to frequent motion and high loads. Lead screws are simpler and can be self-locking, which suits mechanisms that must hold position without power.
Why is jamming a concern for flight control actuators?
A jammed actuator can lock a control surface in place. Designs mitigate it with jam-tolerant mechanisms, redundancy or aircraft architectures that can still be controlled with one surface jammed.
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FeaturedLinear actuators
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FeaturedLinear actuators
FeaturedLinear actuators
FeaturedLinear actuators
FeaturedLinear actuators
FeaturedLinear actuators
FeaturedLinear actuators
