Propulsion system for an aircraft providing V/STOL capability

A propulsion system for powering an aircraft in both vertical and horizontal flight modes comprising:

• first and second gas-driven ducted lift fans mounted to the aircraft for providing thrust in the vertical flight mode;
• first and second shaft-driven ducted cruise fans having inlet and bypass air ducts, said first and second ducted cruise fans mounted in the aircraft for providing thrust in the horizontal flight mode and providing supercharged air in all flight modes;
• first and second gas transfer ducts, each one thereof coupling one of said air bypass ducts of said first and second ducted fans, respectively;
• first and second shaft-driven turbo compressors coupled to said first and second gas transfer ducts, respectively;
• first and second high-pressure feed ducts coupling said first and second turbo compressors to said first and second ducted lift fans respectively;
• first and second sets of turboshaft engines mounted in the aircraft coupled to said bypass air ducts for receiving supercharged air therefrom, with each one of said sets comprising a plurality of turboshaft engines, each one of said turboshaft engine including an output shaft and having an optimal power output sufficient for powering one of said first and second ducted cruise fans in the horizontal flight mode, each of said sets having a sufficient number of said turboshaft engines to provide an optimal power output for powering one of said first and second turbo compressors and one of said ducted cruise fans in the vertical flight mode, such that sufficient gas is provided to drive one of said ducted lift fans;
• a shafting system mounted on the aircraft for coupling all of said turboshaft engines to said first and second ducted cruise fans and said first and second turbo compressors;
• a first decoupling system connected to said shafting system for decoupling said first and second turbo compressors from said first and second sets of turboshaft engines;
• and
• a second decoupling system connected to said shafting system for individually decoupling each of said turboshaft engines therefrom.