DARPA's Heliplane retrocopter project in trouble

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A few of us have been following this as it was the only current tip jet project commercially active, and the only one with real engineers involved.

Efforts by Pentagon tech chiefs to revive a long-neglected rotary wing aircraft type appear to have stalled, as the main contractor announced financial problems and sweeping layoffs.
Groen Brothers Aviation (GBA), the company undertaking the "Heliplane" programme, revealed the extent of its difficulties in a statement at the weekend.

Looks like it has bitten the dust, tip jets are just note a practical solution

Full article http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/06/02 ... ne_bogged/

Viv