Unmanned aircraft control using engine torque control system

An aircraft control system comprising:

• a longitudinal control module configured to generate a desired torque value and a desired elevator position value for an aircraft based on a desired airspeed value, a desired altitude value, an actual airspeed value, and an actual altitude value;
• an engine torque control module configured to generate a desired power lever position value based on the desired torque value and a measured engine torque value that indicates a measured engine torque in the aircraft and configured to limit the desired torque value to a maximum torque value;
• a torque limit determination module configured to:
• receive an operator override torque limit from a ground control station;
• and
• set the maximum torque value to the operator override torque limit;
• and
• an actuator control system configured to generate a power lever position command and an elevator position command for the aircraft based on the desired power lever position value and the desired elevator position value, the power lever position command configured to move a power lever in the aircraft into a desired power lever position corresponding to the desired power lever position value.