Translation thrust system engagement and disengagment for rotary wing aircraft

Abstract

An aircraft is provided including an airframe, an extending tail, one or more engines supported by the airframe, and a counter rotating, coaxial main rotor assembly including an upper rotor assembly and a lower rotor assembly. A translational thrust system positioned at the extending tail. The translational thrust system providing translational thrust to the airframe. A gearbox configured to transfer power from the engine to the main rotor assembly. A flight control computer to independently control one or more of the engine, the upper rotor assembly, the lower rotor assembly, and the translational thrust system. The flight control computer, in response to at least one control command, engages or disengages the translational thrust system, while maintaining controlled powered flight.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.