Design of the Model XA-8 began in 1951, following a specification for a one-man, collapsable helicopter that was capable of being assembled with simple tools; the intended roles of the aircraft were for observation and as an airdropped rescue vehicle.

It could be collapsed to fit inside a 5 by 5 by 14 feet (1.5 by 1.5 by 4.3 m) container, and when stripped down weighed less than 300 pounds (140 kg); two men could assemble the aircraft in 20 minutes.

[1] Power was provided by two XPJ49 pulsejets serving as tipjets; startup was by compressed air and the aircraft could take off within 30 seconds.

They proved to be rugged and durable vehicles with a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h) and a ceiling of 7,000 feet (2,100 m).

Unfortunately, the pulse jets produced an unacceptable amount of noise and the drag of the engines in the event of power loss would prevent safe landings by autorotation.