January 28, 1965, the XV-9A “Test Bed” flew; developed for USARECOM by Hughes Tool Company’s Aircraft Division, Culver City, California. The XV-9A, AKA “Hot Cycle,” is based on the principle by which hot gases are jetted from blade-tipped louvers; a concept designed to dispense with heavy gear boxes associated with normal shaft engine aircraft. The “Hot Cycle” principle is supposed to enable a helicopter to be able to hoist more than twice its empty weight in cargo or passengers.
Source: Army Aviation, page 31, February 1965 issue.
