A flapping control system for a proprotor assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft includes one or more sensors operable to detect one or more flight parameters of the tiltrotor aircraft to form sensor data. The sensors include a proprotor flapping sensor to detect a proprotor flapping measurement. The flapping control system includes a flapping control module in data communication with the sensors. The flapping control module includes a maneuver detection module to detect whether the tiltrotor aircraft is in a maneuver mode using the sensor data. The flapping control module identifies a maneuver flapping threshold associated with the maneuver mode. The flapping control module generates a swashplate command using the proprotor flapping measurement and the maneuver flapping threshold, and sends the swashplate command to the proprotor assembly to reduce flapping of the proprotor assembly.

A rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor system rotatable about an axis relative to an airframe. A plurality of blade assemblies is mounted to the rotor system. A higher harmonic control system is operable to generate a harmonic load at the rotor system according to a higher harmonic control signal. An active vibration control system is operable to generate vibration forces about the aircraft according to an active vibration control signal. A controller is operable to issue the higher harmonic control signal and the active vibration control signal to coordinate the higher harmonic control system and the active vibration control system to reduce vibration within the airframe.

A swashplate guide for use with a spherical bearing and which connects with an adjacent component includes a hollow cylindrical tube formed from a composite material. An exterior surface of the hollow cylindrical tube provides an engagement surface with the spherical bearing. A flange arranged at an end of the hollow cylindrical tube provides an interface with the adjacent component.

A rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor system rotatable about an axis relative to an airframe. A plurality of blade assemblies is mounted to the rotor system. A higher harmonic control system is operable to generate a harmonic load at the rotor system according to a higher harmonic control signal. An active vibration control system is operable to generate vibration forces about the aircraft according to an active vibration control signal. A controller is operable to issue the higher harmonic control signal and the active vibration control signal to coordinate the higher harmonic control system and the active vibration control system to reduce vibration within the airframe.

A flapping control system for a proprotor assembly of a tiltrotor aircraft includes one or more sensors operable to detect one or more flight parameters of the tiltrotor aircraft to form sensor data. The sensors include a proprotor flapping sensor to detect a proprotor flapping measurement. The flapping control system includes a flapping control module in data communication with the sensors. The flapping control module includes a maneuver detection module to detect whether the tiltrotor aircraft is in a maneuver mode using the sensor data. The flapping control module identifies a maneuver flapping threshold associated with the maneuver mode. The flapping control module generates a swashplate command using the proprotor flapping measurement and the maneuver flapping threshold, and sends the swashplate command to the proprotor assembly to reduce flapping of the proprotor assembly.

A swashplate guide for use with a spherical bearing and which connects with an adjacent component includes a hollow cylindrical tube formed from a composite material. An exterior surface of the hollow cylindrical tube provides an engagement surface with the spherical bearing. A flange arranged at an end of the hollow cylindrical tube provides an interface with the adjacent component.

Systems and methods directed to a rotor blade assembly for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are provided. A system may include a rotor blade assembly including an axle assembly, a first rotor arm supporting a first rotor blade and coupled to rotate about the axle assembly, a second rotor arm supporting a second rotor blade and coupled to rotate about the axle assembly, and a torsion spring coupled to the first rotor arm and the second rotor arm, such that a rotation of one of the first rotor arm or the second rotor arm about the axle assembly applies a spring force to the other of the first rotor arm or the second rotor arm. Additional systems and related methods are also provided.