The General Electric X353-5 was an unusual, high bypass ratio, liftfan system developed for the Ryan XV-5 Vertifan V/STOL research aircraft [1] (known earlier as the VZ-11[2]).
Two General Electric J85-5 turbojets were used for propulsion in wing-borne flight.
These turbine/fan units were similar in concept to the aft fan units on the General Electric CJ805 -23,[citation needed] the main difference being that the turbine blades of the X353-5 were outboard of the fan, rather than inboard.
Each engine supplied half the exhaust gas needed to drive each fan unit.
A cross-over duct kept both fans turning uniformly in the event of either engine failing.