Thales (C10607) announced that it will develop the rudder-by-wire electronic flight control system for the new Cessna Citation Longitude. The company said the solution came from deploying a pair of Thales Smart Electronic Control Units (SECUs) that use electronic signals to augment pilot rudder pedal control inputs.

According to Thales, using a pair of SECUs provides for better control integrity and streamlines the system, enhancing reliability and integrity. Thales provides flight control solutions for all North American business jet OEMs. Thales’s Montreal center of excellence will work with Textron Aviation to develop the system engineering and software for the new control system.