The XV-1 aircraft is a compound aircraft, having a 3-bladed main rotor for vertical flight and limited speed forward flight, wings with a “pusher” propeller for conventional fixed wing forward flight. Each of the 3 blades of the rotor is powered by a McDonnell pressure-jet at the blade tip. A 550 hp Continental R-975-19 radial piston engine drives two compressors to supply air to the jet units and drives the 6’5” Met-L-prop located on the rear of the 2-blade propeller. There is a small anti-torque rotor aft of each of the two rudders. The horizontal stabilizer and elevator reaches between the twin tail booms opposite the two vertical stabilizers. The cabin is designed to carry a pilot plus 2 stretcher patients and 1 attendant or pilot, co-pilot sitting in tandem and two passengers.