"It appears that an advanced coaxial ABC will outperform the tiltrotor in all significant respects, with the exception of top speed."
How do the figures look on this? Must admit that variable ABC RRPM will help, as long as the blades have high eigenmodes that are well damped (easilly with analysed in FEA).
"...functional superiority of the intermeshing/interleaving configurations will do to Sikorsky's coaxials what Sikorsky's coaxials will do to Bell's tiltrotors."
Hub drag will be lower for sure. I actually suspect that this will become the next big heli debate. You have to take into account ease of gearbox design/maintenance, reliability, servicability. Pilot preference will also play a large part, so application is important.
From an engineers standpoint intermeshing offers a better overall package. Interleaving doesn't really give any high speed advantages, since you have to plug the retreating blade "hole" from upwash (and need more complex drivetrain). Coaxial needs, well, coaxial hub shafts and control systems reducing parts commonality. I only consider outboard advancing in each case, since this is best aerodynamically, and mech gyro control systems are cheap: Lockheed of couse - non of this Bell/Hiller control mixing stuff...
Mart