Far from being a thing of science-fiction, the X-Wing was really developed; just not for space combat.
By combining the best of both worlds with regards to helicopters and fixed-wing craft, the X-Wing could theoretically break the trend of VTOL aircraft of the day where higher speed aircraft required higher hovering disc loading. This is essentially the ratio of the aircraft's weight divided by the area of the rotor disc .
In helicopter mode, this worked by blowing air out of the trailing edge of the blades to create virtual flaps and simulate cyclic pitch. During conversion to fixed-wing mode, complications with the changing aerodynamics would require air to be blown from the leading and trailing edges simultaneously.
To this end, two teams were set up. One to focus on the technicalities of the rotor blade system, and the other to figure out how to integrate it into the S-72. After establishing a baseline, the next phase was to fly with just two of the rotor blades in place, followed by four, with the rotors stopped. By around mid-1987 the aircraft was scheduled to fly with the rotor/wing turning a full speed with the testing of mid-flight rotor/wing stoppage by the end of the year.
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