“These engines have got more power than this drive system can handle. So we would max out the power to the rotors for maximum lift, then we would shunt the excess power output to the fan so they produce lift in hover as well,” Piasecki says.
“The net effect is your useful load is increased, even though you’re putting the wing and thrusters on it. Then you can use the engines to go faster and they’ve got better (performance) specifics,” he notes.
If the picture in the article is anything like a prototype ... the wing attach points, and the fan shroud attach points, as regards the vibration analysis will doubtless be interesting.
I recall a few comments from Mr. Dixson about the Speedhawk, not sure if they apply to the tandem rotor configuration.