Abstract: A torque tube/spar assembly (100) for transferring operational loads of a Variable Diameter Rotor blade assembly (16) to a rotor hub assembly (18) and includes a torque tube member (24), a spar member (30) and a bearing assembly (40a, 40b) for telescopically mounting the spar member (30) to the torque tube member (24) and furthermore defines an internal channel (62) for housing a retraction/extension mechanism (64) which mounts to an internally formed restraint surface (86) of the spar member (30) and is operative to vary the length of the rotor blade assembly (18). The torque tube member (30) has a substantially constant external geometry along the length of bearing assembly engagement and defines a root end region (102), a tip end region (106) and an intermediate transition region (104) disposed therebetween.