A coaxial direct drive system includes at least two prime movers mounted to a motor carrier member about a common axis. Each prime mover includes a stator affixed to the motor carrier member, and each prime mover further includes a rotor which can rotate about the common axis. Each rotor has a driven member affixed to it, which rotates with the respective rotor, and to which driven objects, such as aero foil blades, etc. can be affixed. The motor carrier member can be directly mounted to an object to be propelled by the coaxial direct drive system, or can be hollow to receive a support mast which is mounted to the object to be driven. The driven objects can have different rotational senses, such that when the prime movers counter rotate, the driven objects generate trust in the same direction.