[1] The program was intended to demonstrate the advantageous application of advanced composite materials and structural design concepts on the airframe of military helicopters.

The structure of the airframe were made of a variety of different materials including graphite, Kevlar, fiberglass, epoxy, and polymides.

[1] The structural configuration included skins, stiffened panels, solid laminates, sandwich beams, frames, and longerons.

The new airframe replaced metal with composites for greater strength, reduced weight and both lower manufacturing and maintenance costs.

The D-292 serial number 85-24371 flew for the first time on 30 August 1985[5] following delays due to funding and industrial problems.