The X-Wing - S-72 Jet Helicopter with Blades as Wings

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The Sikorsky S-72 was more than just a visually striking aircraft. This unique and unusual vehicle could take off and land vertically like a chopper, but it could also fly fast and far like a plane.
The S-72 would ultimately be neither a helicopter nor a plane. Instead, it was a new concept, an “X-Wing,” conceived through a joint effort between the U.S Navy and NASA. Unfortunately, its innovative design ultimately proved too much for the time.
- As images and footage of actual events are not always available, Dark Skies sometimes utilizes similar historical images and footage for dramatic effect. I do my best to keep it as visually accurate as possible. All content on Dark Skies is researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. We are history enthusiasts and are not always experts in some areas, so please don't hesitate to reach out to us with corrections, additional information, or new ideas. -

[@dinizgsd]

Everytime I see this videos I always think "Why they never come back to revisit this projects/concepts, but with nowadays materials and technology?"

[@Toothache1988]

They are but aren't telling us about it. Loose Lips Sink Ships.

[@lukedogwalker]

Technology has moved on so far that many things that were done in the past are now done differently and better, like additive component manufacture (known as 3D printing). To take advantage of new tech and new understanding of physics, you need to start with a clean sheet. I highly recommend searching KZbin for "remake Rocketdyne F1 engine" for an excellent video all about why we don't actually rebuild stuff from the past, and why this is no bad thing.

[@Justanotherconsumer]

Given the challenges with the V-22, new tech is also dangerous on top of expensive. The B-52 and Tu-95 soldier on because they get the job done, and that’s true of a lot of military hardware where there isn’t a clear need for fancy new tech in many roles.

[@kirkc9643]

Sikorsky X2

[@vincentrevesz4363]

I think the same thing sometimes

[@timgarrett203]

You must have a huge cache of clips of nerd engineers in white shirts and skinny ties looking at drawings to make all these awesome videos. As an aerospace engineer, I appreciate that!

[@aileronhelicopters]

I'm aerospace engineer too and this is interesting 🤔

[@waffensachverstandcom5505]

As long as they do not cover firearms it’s good stuff- ballistics is a bit weak. Greets from gun and ammo designer

[@dogmandan79]

Don’t forget, nerds WITH slide rulers!

[@jordannichols3067]

And Pocket Protectors! DONT FORGET THE POCKET PROTECTORS!

[@nonamesplease6288]

The program was cancelled when the government decided that there was no need for an x wing, especially since Skywalker blew up the Deathstar a long time ago.....

[@jacoblapointe8181]

Underrated comment right here XD 🔥

[@gregedwards1087]

".....in a galaxy, far, far away."

[@dallynsr]

yea, but Boboa'a gonna have a long time to be thinking up his return while he's slowly digested over 1000yrs in the Sarlac Pit, and when he does, you're gonna want that X-Wing.

[@D.satyagraha]

Yay yay yay 😂

[@georgearmerding]

Hard to argue with this

[@bodieofci5418]

All of a sudden, Airwolf isn't that far fetched.

[@christosvoskresye]

You can't go supersonic with a helicopter, but yeah, I get the impression this might have been the inspiration for the show.

[@AdmiralJT]

5 seconds in and Airwolf was the first thing I thought of! haha

[@typograf62]

And the plane from 6.th Day.

[@atomicskull6405]

The Lockheed AH-56 was a similar concept but better implemented. Instead of jet engines it used a feathering prop mounted 90 degrees behind the tail rotor driven by the same shaft. During high speed forward flight forward propulsion was provided by the prop rather than main rotor cyclic which allowed the aircraft to maintain a level attitude rather than nose down and decreased drag. As well the prop could also be used for rapid deceleration by reversing the angle of attack of the blades. When not in use the pusher prop blades were set at a neutral angle that didn't use up much power while maintaining a constant RPM. This way if you needed a burst of acceleration the prop didn't need to be spooled up you just changed the angle of attack. It also simplified things because it didn't need a complex additional transmission it just ran at the same constant speed as the anti torque tail rotor. The Sikorski S-97 and Boeing-Sikorski SB-1 are a revival of this concept with the addition of coaxial main rotors which eliminates the anti torque rotor and further increases top speed by reducing retreating blade stall.

[@drumking241]

It was a political b.s. travesty they choose the cobra over what the Ah-56 could do

[@gttpete]

The guy narrating sounds like he's had 47 cups of strong coffee just before he stepped into the studio.

[@gozya]

yeah, too fast

[@ohbogey]

Once the narration gets sorted out, I look forward to subscribing!

[@lepanhman]

& two pipes of strong meth

[@yakuza_toast8033]

And I like it

[@grimfpv292]

Just right.

[@ronaldschoolcraft8654]

I worked at Allison when that clutch was designed and developed. I applied experience gained from that program to the preliminary design of the JSF LiftFan clutch in 1990.

[@ratherbflyin3301]

I like mechanical things. What would you say is so particularly special about that clutch in the JSF?

[@ronaldschoolcraft8654]

@@ratherbflyin3301 the Sikorsky X-Wing clutch (as it was referred to by Allison) was a wet disk clutch using Gylon friction material. It operated at about 1 hp/sq. In. heat flux rate. My initial preliminary design for the LiftFan clutch was similar, but was too heavy. I did a material study looking at carbon-carbon composite friction material using a heat transfer analysis program that I wrote. I found that a dry disk clutch with C-C material could run at 2.5 hp/sq. in. Although the configuration changed some from my preliminary design, the dry C-C approach is what is flying now in the F35B. I left that group and started working on the Model 250 helicopter engine program in 1991.

[@ratherbflyin3301]

@@ronaldschoolcraft8654 That is wild...I always thought a clutch with such infrequent usage would be limited by torque/friction, and not by heat dissipation/power. And you did it in the 90’s! It takes so long to get tech into aviation. And...THE 250?? I used to fly the B407. Love that motor! “Alternate” start is the best thing since sliced bread: 16% Ng, click to idle and let her start cool. So cool that I’m messaging the guy that keeps me in the sky!

[@ronaldschoolcraft8654]

@@ratherbflyin3301 I was the lead engineer for the gearbox and bearings for the 250-C47B used in the Bell 407. I designed, and was awarded a patent for, the self closing valve for the lower chip detector used on that and the C40B. The inertia for a 48" diameter fan is huge, so it takes a fairly long time to accelerate it up to operational speed. That means the clutch has to slip for an extended period of time so energy management is crucial. It has a mechanical lock for positive torque transfer once the speeds are synchronized.

[@trespire]

@@ronaldschoolcraft8654 You built the mechanical heart of the machine. Such a pleasure to see those birds fly.

[@_the_dude_abides_]

"Combined effort between the US Navy and NASA"... literally painted NASA/Army, lol

[@theoneandonlysoslappy]

The S-72 RSRA was a NASA/Army experimental compound helicopter project built by Sikorski. Later on, there was a DARPA/Navy project to convert one of those airframes into an X-wing configuration which never flew.

[@BanjoNoob2]

He said it in a REALLY DRAMATIC voice, so it must be true! This is the effect the "History" channel has had on our popular culture.

[@311mdub]

Ya I saw that a lold

[@dobdoa3691]

Go Army, beat NASA.....wait what?

[@zerouno101]

And yet one of these airframes is on an Army installation as a trophy I guess

[@poodlescone9700]

This design should be re-examined. It seems to be viable.

[@arbysandtehchief5494]

If cost could be kept economically viable it looks like it would be an almost perfect fit for Uber's vision of air rides.

[@jblob5764]

Is it much better than a tilt rotor like the osprey is the important question. Because that's what we went with so I have to assume it worked out better than this layout

[@arbysandtehchief5494]

@@jblob5764 This layout was apparently never fully tested though. The Osprey is just the latest iteration of a DARPA love child from the 1960's. While the Osprey is faster, and has a higher maximum takeoff weight, that doesn't mean that this doesn't have viable applications.

[@stetsongray5355]

Actually the newest helicopters the government is looking at have a similar concept

[@fredygump5578]

Interesting, yes, but I think it is too complicated of a system to rely on in a military context. And I'm not sure what role it would play that cannot be filled by a more conventional craft?

[@z33511]

0:28 looks like the Navy misspelled "Navy" as "Army"

[@MGXsport]

All these videos have obvious errors in them. Sucks because the old footage is great

[@swietoslaw]

@@MGXsport This channels videos just like reading from wikipedia with cool footage.

[@badlandskid]

They both have an “A” and a “Y”

[@michaelesposito2629]

@@MGXsport just watch the freaken video. You’ll see the planes say nasa/navy and even navy/army nasa/army army/nasa nasa/Sikorsky darpa/nasa

[@patrickmcshane7658]

Maybe its a hint?

[@sidgar1]

2:20 "If you've ever seen a ping pong ball spinning on a jet of air" Shows a billiards 8-ball :)

[@randomuser5443]

The forbidden ping pong ball

[@pdbsstudios7137]

It's not "an" it's "a" because if there's "a" "e" "i" "o" "u" at the start of the phrase you'll need to write "an"

[@davieturner339]

I think it is because it is more likely people will have seen it done with a ping pong ball rather than an 8 ball.

[@MililaniJag]

Gee, Doesnt everybody play Ping pong with an 8-ball? lol Cheers!

[@groupcaptainbonzo]

Not pedantic in any way then ? 🤣

[@DanielWalters]

Well, someone missed their bi-annual donation to the Senate Majority Leader

[@paulferrari3921]

It’s funny because it’s true.

[@graycloud057]

No kidding!

[@andie_pants]

We'd be 100 years into the future technologically if it weren't for politicians.

[@darnit1944]

@@andie_pants And the tree hugging hippies. Dont forget about them.

[@andie_pants]

@@darnit1944 How could I forget about myself? ✌️😎

[@mikeohandley6765]

The concept WAS proven in 1970 when Lockheed developed the AH56 Cheyenne. It used a semi-rigid rotor for lift, a pusher prop on the tail, and stub wings for lift in forward motion. It would take off using the rotor. Once airborne and the pusher prop took over, the stub wings on the Cheyenne created lift and the chopper was able to achieve speeds never-before-seen with helicopters.

[@fetishartist137]

As a child of the 80's, I remember how publications like Popular Science were really excited about this project. And like many other cold war projects, there just wasn't a need or budget for it after the cold war was over. I do wish we could have at least had a couple of tests where the rotors completely stopped in flight. Given how far computers have progressed, and the materials have improved, I wonder if there were any black budget projects that completed this ideal in secret.

[@LeBoomStudios]

As an 80s child, you should remember "The 6th Day". kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqrYaamZe8-tsLM

[@space_artist_4real138]

Thing is, this is very much too complex to be viable today, as helicopters only need their rotor motor and planes only need their forward motors. I'd be surprised if developping the technology had any usefulness with the availability of vertical liftoff aircrafts for military use. Sadly it ended up not being better than what we have now, but it's cool for sure, and maybe in the future the documentation and advancements done will help in other innovative special projects, it's never a complete waste if it's not widely adopted.

[@MrMinefeld]

I'm starting a gofundme

[@WowplayerMe]

X-wing technology didn't fully come into it's own until the Rebel Alliance perfected it's use in defeating the Galactic Empire.

[@charlesshelton7989]

X wing? I was expecting a cameo from Mark Hamill

[@GeneralBlorp]

There was a cartoon / line of toys called M.A.S.K. that featured this one as a bad guy's main vehicle. Sick show tbh

[@rustykrys888]

I remember this show. Was cool.

[@skywarp1]

Miles Mayhem's Switchblade

[@matthewl67]

It’s so awesome when watching the video and perusing the comments, then an ad hits and you lose your place or whatever you’re typing. Thanks KZbin.

[@williamwchuang]

KZbin Vanced.

[@utubejdaniel8888]

The crew escape testing was done at the Holloman High Speed test track. The Yankee rocket egress system was spectacular and successful.

[@cerradobricks4017]

this is a truly awesome system.

[@rayceeya8659]

Anyone else got the Airwolf theme stuck in their head after watching this?

[@rayceeya8659]

@@Toddlerterminator 80s TV series. Think Top Gun with a helicopter.

[@trespire]

@Ray Ceeya Going stealth.

[@trespire]

@@Toddlerterminator Ya' don't know what yer missin !! Secret stealthy chopper gone rogue, fighting for the good guys. Used to love it as a kid !

[@TheDing1701]

@@trespire Me too! I've when re-watching it on Peacock. It holds up alright.

[@nicholasmazzarella2720]

Hell yes Hawk and Santini blowing shit up in the lady. Yes the theme is playing in my head right now : )

[@micthekwik]

This was the last program my father worked on before his retirement in 1986. He was a buyer and bought the hydraulics and avionics for the X-Wing. I was there at the rollout ceremony.

[@rayceeya8659]

"Too expensive and ambitious for it's time" Sounds like the V-22 Osprey and they still built that turd.

[@Ushio01]

The V-22 went through it's teething troubles and has been fine since.

[@Usa_mikek]

@@Ushio01 exactly and there are civilian varients being developed now.

[@ronaldschoolcraft8654]

"Turd"? Not hardly.

[@johnbrady7431]

Sooooo many Marines have died in those things.

[@rayceeya8659]

@@johnbrady7431 Yeah my brother almost died in one in Iraq. You know for the price of a V-22 you can buy a Hercules and a Blackhawk. The Herc hauls more and the Blackhawk is more reliable.

[@emaheiwa8174]

I want one in purple with white racing stripes and one in black and gold

[@richardhenry5858]

For Kobe?

[@someguyontheinternet-]

Don't forget the hundred-spokes

[@DrakeDark18]

WOW! I love seeing the old school with the pens, paper, and reel to reel computers... truly I feel as though these humans are beyond amazing, so brilliantly luminous... Look at what they accomplished with less than us. Look at the triumph of invention, innovation and ingenuity. My love to you all, thank you for keeping the skies full of those magnificent men and their flying machines.

[@broznkyra4853]

I began working at the Sikorsky Aircraft DFTC in West Palm Beach, FL IN August of 1986..sometime in 1987 a group of the guys on the shop floor went out to Edwards AFB to work on the project...IIRC they were gone for a few months before the project was cancelled..AFAIK the aircraft is still in storage...

[@duckbow]

Great job on this! Of and exceeds the calibre of documentaries I used to watch on History Channel! Keep it up

[@TenOrbital]

Your voice makes it all sound really urgent and important.

[@knuthamsun6106]

i wouldn’t know because i can’t stand to listen this his voice more than 10 seconds

[@weaponofmassconstruction1940]

@@knuthamsun6106 Try listening at 0.5 speed 😆

[@keithgaming7027]

Reminds me of the concept behind Airwolf's mach speed abilities.

[@oxcart4172]

That was fiction. No real machine had those "mach speed abilities"

[@Jasonsminiadventure]

I literally started humming the opening theme when I saw this video. 😆

[@Timberwolf69]

@@oxcart4172 I'm pretty sure the OP is aware of that.

[@oxcart4172]

@@Timberwolf69 I've known and heard people who think that science fiction is somehow real!

[@Timberwolf69]

@@oxcart4172 Well, sadly, there are quite a few people out there who never learned to tell the difference between fiction and reality, that's right. But the wording the OP used indicates in my opinion that they are aware of that fact - there are just a few similarities between the real concept we heard of and the concept of the fictional Airwolf. Well, guess who got inspired by some real tech...

[@andrewtaylor940]

If you’re looking for Dark Air subjects, look into the early Gyrodyne remote control mini helicopter drones that were flown from small Navy ships such as Frigates and Destroyers for ASW, before they started designing the ships for full conventional helicopters.

[@p.f.886]

*So, you want to design a plane or an helicopter?* Designer: *yes.*

[@PhilippBrandAkatosh]

why not add a balloon to it ? in sourcer shape :)

[@Zeno2Day]

Good show, btw. Finally, someone who correctly explained the Coanda effect in clear in simple terms. Thank you

[@__-wy7el]

Spoon...running water...usual demo.

[@prjndigo]

Yeah, he explained it right but then showed a controlled blower vent tail boom assembly on a helicopter. Driven by blowers connected to the turbines.

[@__-wy7el]

@@prjndigo True but there's several uses for Coanda in aviation. First time I saw it not dealing with aerodynamic flow was on the heat mitigation of the exhaust stream from the nacelles on the V-22. Pretty smart but you still have to use compressor bleed air piped down to a (high failure rate) tube and then logic gates for weight on wheels, nacelle angle and turbine speed. BUT, it does help reduce the chance of the aircraft from starting ground fires or burning up deck plating.

[@Zeno2Day]

@@prjndigo I looked at the diagram of the NOTAR. Yes... though the forced air is created in the turbine, the exiting sheet of air is engineered to expel (blow) across a curved surface creating the directional force desired.

[@helder4u]

Despite your fast reading, I am very impressed with your clarity. It is very easy to follow your speech, not missing any words.

[@crimsonhawk78]

Amazing aircraft! Thank you and keep up the good work

[@andrejspecht8217]

You're building up such a tension with your voice, i almost expected a desaster with several dozens of human victims at the end.

[@kampkat6089]

This seems like a safer concept to revisit than the Osprey

[@SanderAnderon]

fascinating...keep up your great work, Dark is like the 'learn something new every day' channel

[@billyost1479]

I went to school at Fort Eustus, Virginia to be an aircraft turbine engine mechanic. I graduated distinguished graduate of my class, 6-86. This helicopter was at the front gate of the fort.

[@liamb8379]

Ahh see this is old tech. Miles Mayhem. Leader of Venom had one like this back in the 80s.

[@kurtwk]

.....fuggin Miles Mayhem ! ... where did Miles and Mask get their funding from? Lol

[@michel-dw3vx]

You said navy ,........... I see army on the side ?

[@bradd5112]

Just looking for this comment lol

[@theoneandonlysoslappy]

The S-72 RSRA was a NASA/Army experimental compound helicopter project built by Sikorski. Later on, there was a DARPA/Navy project to convert one of those airframes into an X-wing configuration which never flew.

[@bradd5112]

@@galil_6863 that's your best joke? Sigh

[@bradd5112]

@@theoneandonlysoslappy interesting, thanks for the clarification. Too bad they never got further into development.

[@srmj71]

I would've loved to see it complete that final proof of concept flight. That would've been one for the books. To see those rotors stop and restart, mid-flight, that would have been a game changer. Lord only knows what aircraft would be flying around today.

[@8squarefeet190]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing! I'd heard of the the X-Wing concept, but never saw anything past the initial announcements.

[@BadKarma714]

I love all your videos and channels The helicopter kind a looks like air wolf from the old 80s TV show.

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Apparently a lot of viewers my age, I was fascinated by Airwolf and Blue Thunder.

[@nicholasmazzarella2720]

Hell yes Airwolf and Blue Thunder two of the best helicopters in movies/ TV

[@nicholasmazzarella2720]

@Linda Ciccoli Airwolf would be able to take the Blur Thunder for sure. Your thoughts?

[@Booozy3050]

Being a cold war kid, we got to see all kinds of concepts that never took off. The LHX-SCAT program really had me going back in the day. The X-wing mixed with notar had some cool designs....and with modern tech I believe they could be fully possible now, if not drones.

[@robertojofre15]

dude iv Learned soo much thanks to this channel! well done

[@Overlord-1]

Reminds me of the Fairey Rotodyne

[@MASB29]

Different mechanism tho, the blade here are designed to be stopped on flight, making it much more complicated

[@vinayaksagar2133]

Exactly .but I think this was Economically feasable.

[@CHRISROYALSCHIEFSFAN]

All the Dark Channels are awesome! Learn things I didn't know! Keep up the good work!

[@Letyourcolorsblendwithmine]

I saw one on a flatbed truck up in virginia yesterday. Blue shrink-wrapped. Right shape, lower wings taken off, but the stubs were visible. Thing is HUGE. Hope it's going to a museum.

[@ElectricUAM]

You guys always have great videos and this one is top-notch. Plus, whoever speaks, you can do it fast and intelligibly. That's a rare quality.

[@voodoobluetaco]

I cant even imagine the stuff they are doing now. if this crazy idea was being done back in the 1970s....wow. Hopefully, we get to see the crazy stuff being worked on right now in 40 years.

[@dcurry7287]

Check out the helicopters used in the Bin Laden raid sometime, crazy stuff there.

[@itsmezed]

I had no idea research on the X-Wing went back as far as it did. Any chance you'd do a video on another Sikorsky project, the RAH-66 Comanche?

[@josephpecoul6532]

Never ceases to amaze me on the what if about such strange things

[@prjndigo]

At 2:25 you reference aircraft G-HAAT as an example of the Coanda effect. That helicopter uses a blower out the tail boom driven by the main engine which is aimed down and to the sides by rotating the tail cone. There is no Coanda used in that helicopter, they simply located the air turbine within the body and it uses thrust vectoring from the tail tip like Harrier jump jets use from the side vents of the main aircraft body. The blower's exhaust is actually automatically compensated for by an additional control mechanism in the swash plate of the main rotor.

[@caleblarsen5490]

Just waiting for a vid on the TIE fighter now.

[@Del_S]

"Between the US Navy and NASA" Picture on screen as that was said: NASA/Army markings.

[@theoneandonlysoslappy]

The S-72 RSRA was a NASA/Army experimental compound helicopter project built by Sikorski. Later on, there was a DARPA/Navy project to convert one of those airframes into an X-wing configuration which never flew.

[@thomasbrand2650]

9:05 Man, I saw one of those flying over Fort Bliss like 5 years ago and had no idea what the hell it was. I still have the pictures I took to ask people later and they didn't know. I couldn't find it on Google anywhere either. All this time later I finally learn in some random video about an obscure helicopter while I wait for my pizza to get delivered to my hotel.

[@clarencehopkins7832]

Excellent stuff bro

[@Musicreach101]

This reminds me Myles Mayhems Jet/Helicopter from M.A.S.K

[@Veldtian1]

Now you know what they where inspired by.

[@DaveM-co7up]

“Switchblade “

[@danclark1348]

I guess the tv show " Airwolf" would be based on this. 🚁

[@nobreighner]

Awesome content in your videos.

[@andrewshirley7105]

Best video yet !

[@moerow8215]

Such a unique main rotor assembly was probably used on black budget spec ops silent stealth helicopters.

[@billsummy2412]

airwolf :-)

[@JA-eq5um]

@@sidgar1 Air wolf didn’t look anything like that

[@sidgar1]

@@JA-eq5um AH-56 was a military aircraft with wings and jet propulsion, too. The helicopter in this video has no armaments. Looks aren't the only comparison.

[@user-bx3zz9cx3y]

@@sidgar1 The AH-56 had a pusher prop on the tail, not jet engines.

[@sidgar1]

@@user-bx3zz9cx3y Interesting. It has a tubular exhaust behind the rotor shaft which I always assumed was a jet. But you're right, its forward thrust is augmented by a pusher prop.

[@buzzymm]

@@sidgar1 Bell 222 The Airwolf helicopter was a conventional Bell 222 helicopter modified by attaching some film props.

[@lorenzodunn3226]

Excellent film footage and sound. Great commentary.

[@jeremiahharrington2380]

I've been flying Sikorsky aircraft since 96 and this is the first time I've ever seen or heard of the S72. Shame, I would have loved to fly this thing.

[@Wildstar40]

They should retro modify this craft but also as a flying boat.

[@markplott4820]

they did , see F2Y SeaDart.

[@dcurry7287]

Might as well pull train-gauge wheels on the flying helicopter-jet-boat too. 😆

[@sunny-sq6ci]

this weird tech typifies the US military's willingness to fund any research projects during the entire cold War. the DoD quite literally had unlimited funny money to try any idea, no matter how insane it would b.

[@shawnr771]

Still has unlimited money the defense budget this year is 750 Billion dollars. More than the next 5 countries combined.

[@stargazeronesixseven]

Potentially a very Fast Helicopter if the S72 were built! Love the High Tail ... Looking like a Shark ... Maybe it can be approriately codenamed : HeliShark S72! Thank You So Much for Sharing! Stay Safe & World Peace! 🌷🕊

[@adamfrazer5150]

I think (among the other thoughtful elements of course)that it's your use of footage from the period, places, people - slices of time, that raise your productions above anything else.

[@MajorOutage]

Very much lost opportunity to play the Airwolf theme as background music.

[@bsdubois]

Why does the audio indicate this was a joint venture between NASA and the NAVY, while, the marking on the helicopter state NASA ARMY?

[@theoneandonlysoslappy]

The S-72 RSRA was a NASA/Army experimental compound helicopter project built by Sikorski. Later on, there was a DARPA/Navy project to convert one of those airframes into an X-wing configuration which never flew.

[@citizenblue]

This was a great mini documentary that left me wanting to know more

[@informationcollectionpost3257]

So that is how Sikorsky came up with the Sky Raider concept! In the Sky Raider's case they didn't lock the rigid rotor but allowed it to free wheel as it would in an auto-gyro. The wing adds to the lift so that they can take the lift loading off the rotors. It can move extremely fast while achieving extreme agility. They can use the concept both in an attack helicopter role or an assault helicopter role.

[@A1Cpadilla]

Wait... Tell me more about the Super Guppy.

[@hunterleebrown]

10:17 "...by mid 1997" did I hear that right? I think 1987 is more like it. And again at 10:35

[@Timberwolf69]

No, your ears must have tricked you. I can clearly hear him say "1987". But you should go to 10:15 to be able to hear it. The second one (10:33) is a bit more difficult to properly decipher due to the narrator's talking speed, but there you were right, listening to it a 0.75x speed, it is clearly "1997".

[@philmccracken2012]

Wow, you make great contact! Keep up the good work.

[@philorkill]

Top notch video. Thank you for sharing!

[@pippin2898]

I like your content, but your voice over is just too fast. It's hard to follow. Please slow down a bit. Thank you, and I really do like your content.

[@DrRussian]

Not really fast, more like choppy. Voice needs more flow and less hard stops

[@javadj184]

Contents are great in your channel , but you speak too quick sometimes. 😉

[@RebootizerTech]

Playback speed "am I a joke to you"

[@Timberwolf69]

@@RebootizerTech Please explain. Do you mean us using the playback speed button just to listen to this? And switch back when watching "normal" content? I wonder... have you ever had an issue that windows reads most of your single mouseclicks as at least a double click?

[@pak3ton]

Dude that is the same on every video not only this.

[@Timberwolf69]

@@pak3ton That's odd. The people of the channels I follow don't talk as fast and more pronounced than this guy.

[@pak3ton]

@@Timberwolf69 well to be honest i speak not as fast a this but fast enough what i have to repeat sometimes because the listener dont understood what i said.

[@thecrazyfarmboy]

2 Turboshaft engines AND 2 turboFAN engines?! Unreal, this is up there on the most badass helicopters ever built.

[@alanmoffat4454]

KEEP THEM COMEING DIDENT KNOW ABOUT THIS ONE THANKS .

[@satchpersaud8762]

I dont get it we had very advanced fly by wire systems at that time, theres got to be another reason why the canned this idea

[@JonMartinYXD]

Money. It is just that simple. The Cold War was rapidly thawing and V-22 prototypes were already rolling out. In that context the cost/benefit for the S-72 just wasn't favourable enough.

[@pdbsstudios7137]

I think if he could speak like everyone else these videos will be like every other video with just more information than the others

[@davidmerullo551]

Yeah his voice sucks. It’s like he’s rushing to make a damn point

[@Southwest_923WR]

I like the videos, and subject matter, but he talks TOO damn fast! I constantly have to bavktrack to figure out what he said!

[@mousetreat]

Sounds like he listens to podcasts only at 2x. This will happen to you.

[@HansolControl]

Yall got slow brains if you need to back track. Nobody needs 20 minute long videos. You can watch at .5 or .75 if you cant keep up.

[@zerouno101]

Nice video love aviation history like this even more so when I know where one of these helicopters is just sitting wasting away. I've passed by it a few times wanting to know its history.

[@allenminer6244]

I was assigned to be the liason between the Sikorsky Aircraft computer division and the design team for this project. It was a TOP SECRET project and no one has ever told me I could talk about it. It turned out to be impractical, at the time, but it was certainly an interesting project. Glad to see it shown here.

[@hackman88]

Fixed wing and rotor wing on the same aircraft do not fit US Army vs Air Force roles and missions delineation per the Key West Agreement. Such a military aircraft would have to be developed and sold mostly outside the USA. For such a design, I like the pusher prop of the AH-56 Cheyenne over the 2 turbofans.

[@ArionRaine]

"With blades as wings" ? You know all helicopter blades are wings right? All helicopters have blades as wings. They are rotary wing aircraft.

[@shawnr771]

Probably meant to say making the rotating wings into fixed wings which is an interesting concept.

[@Woody2Shoe]

Thank you Sikorski.

[@EdWhizAviationTrains]

Somehow I forgot about this X-Wing S-72 thanks for the reminder - Liked & Subscribed 😎👍

[@gusigb2677]

Your videos are outstanding - the niche content, editing, etc, is fantastic. Might be nice for the non-native speakers though if you slowed your narration a little :)

[@mousetreat]

Sounds like the narrator only listens to podcasts at 2x. Dude.. relax!

[@waffelo4681]

Set the video to 0.75x speed

[@mikelastname]

the "fast talk then take a break" style is cool - you know you are on the right channel! Also, it gives time to let the ideas sink in and to have a good look at whatever fascinating bit of flying tech is on the screen.

[@Timberwolf69]

@@mikelastname Well... I'm not entirely sure about that...

[@lorengolliher2712]

If I was a gambling Man this project was probably hidden away because it was becoming such a reality and possibility of having a vertical flight vehicle and a jet and they didn't want anybody else knowing about it so they just claim they canceled the contract great video I love your videos

[@josephdestaubin7426]

That is the prettiest looking air vehicle I have ever seen.

[@Waltham1892]

"A joint project between the US Navy and NASA..." 00:28: Aircraft has NASA/ARMY on the side...

[@bmx540bikeride2]

Hi

[@genericuser9653]

Hello

[@brycepeterson1969]

Hello

[@Kris57277]

Hi

[@freeze1305]

Good day, sir.

[@Amocat1]

Sup

[@bernardovazquez3098]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO 👍👍

[@_Yep_Yep_]

S97 Raider appears to have re-envisioned the main themes. Looks promising, always interesting to see evolutions in aeronautics.

[@Super_Black1]

Do u want a flying vehicle Nasa/Us Navy: Yes

[@justsnappy]

Narrator slurs words and speaks too quickly. Replace him.

[@mrsteel250]

Go find another channel

[@rangamans1060]

I'm pretty sure the narrator is the guy who owns the channel

[@justsnappy]

@@mrsteel250 already have. Lots of competition out there.

[@justsnappy]

@@rangamans1060 he can farm out the work. It’s a business; he can take it personally or seek to improve his product.

[@nautdead3197]

I think he might actually be speeding up the narration in editing.

[@sw5824]

Amazing tech concepts of the 50s & 60s 70s proves that we are 20 years behind

[@htos1av]

Like the first flying wings and V-22's, gotta have those "micro" computers only dreamed about in 1977(the 1976 Apple 1 was ONLY a proto-board, that YOU had to finish in electronics class).