In this photograph, the C-140 JetStar is fitted with a model of a high-speed propeller. Three different designs were tested at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Facility in 1981-1982. Their swept-back blades were intended to increase the speed and fuel efficiency of turboprop aircraft. Speeds of Mach 0.8 were thought possible, while using 20 to 30 percent less fuel than standard jet engines.

The Dryden C-140 JetStar during testing of advanced propfan designs. Dryden conducted flight research in 1981-1982 on several designs. The technology was developed under the direction of the Lewis Research Center (today the Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH) under the Advanced Turboprop Program. Under that program, Langley Research Center in Virginia oversaw work on accoustics and noise reduction. These efforts were intended to develop a high-speed and fuel-efficient turboprop system.