High disk loading test
During this flight, we monitored for any negative impact on flight performance from the added weight, including potential vortex ring state (VRS) issues, none of which were observed. This was a preliminary test of a gyrodyne design that differs from previous approaches, which relied on the same thrust for both takeoff and forward flight. Earlier attempts, such as the X-50 Dragonfly, tried to rotate one of the blades during this transition, making the aerodynamic shift extremely complex and ultimately leading to the loss of prototypes. In this design, we avoid disrupting the rotors by incorporating a separate support structure that allows the thrusters to be positioned and pivoted independently.