Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling operation of a diesel engine using feedforward load anticipation. An electronic controller determines a difference between an actual engine speed value of the diesel engine and a desired engine speed value, and generates a feedback control command based on the determined difference. In response to detecting one or more conditions indicative of an anticipated mechanical load event that will alter a total mechanical load of the diesel engine, the electronic controller applies a feedforward offset to the feedback control command in accordance with a feedback offset function. The feedback offset function causes the magnitude of the feedback offset to decrease over a period of time until the offset returns to zero (i.e., a signal decay function). The diesel engine is then operated based on the feedback control command and the feedforward offset.