Abstract: A novel mechanical drive system is disclosed in which a high-speed motor is directly mounted to a gear reducer and drive at high speeds by a variable high speed drive. The high-speed motor has significantly reduced envelope dimensions and consequent mass due to its high-speed operating capabilities, without reducing the rated power of the drive system. The drive assembly can be mounted on a machine or as an overhung load with reduced stress on the machine frame or a driven shaft due to the lower mass and weight of the drive assembly, owing a large part to the reduced mass of the high-speed motor. The drive circuitry is designed to provide a sinusoidal input to the high-speed motor based upon a control input, which may include closed-loop control with parameters of the driven load or a process in which the load is part.