by Ryan Rankin

Air Plan Vol. 1 - 28 Mar 2025

Our X-Wing and RSRA JETs/Air Drops have been extremely popular, which is not surprising given the uniqueness of these aircraft and their NASA history.  The S72A-1 RSRA (Rotor Systems Research Aircraft) was developed under a joint NASA/Army program in the 1970s to test developmental propulsion and rotor systems. Two aircraft were built by Sikorsky: 72001 (tail 545 / N740NA) and 72002 (tail 546 / N741NA). Both RSRA aircraft could fly in 3 different configurations – as a pure helicopter, a compound helicopter fitted with wings and TF34 (S-3A Viking) engines on fuselage mounted pylons, or a fixed wing aircraft with the rotor removed. The RSRA was a first in many respects, and featured a crew extraction system that when activated, used explosives to sever the rotor blades from the hub allowing for crew members to be jettisoned from the aircraft via rockets. Aircraft S/N 72002 was later modified by Sikorsky to test a new “X-Wing” rotor system that could be stopped in flight and act as a wing. This newly modified 72002 became 72003 and was known as the S72X-1 RSRA/X-Wing. Both 72002 and 72003 wore tail N741NA. Aircraft 72003 completed several test flights after its conversion without the new X-Wing rotor system installed, but due to budgetary constraints, the aircraft never flew with the X-Wing. Aircraft 72001 (the first RSRA built) is now awaiting restoration at the Army Aviation Museum at Ft. Rucker.  We are pleased to report that all surplus parts we acquired from NASA are being donated to the museum to help in the restoration process.  Our initial meeting with representatives at the museum took place in late March and we got to test fit a wing fillet we brought with us on 72001 - which was a perfect fit.  It is so awesome that these parts will once again be fitted to the RSRA and displayed for the public to enjoy.  R