(PresidentialInsider.com)- Believe it or not, jet packs could well be a part of the West’s military arsenal…and the Brits are pioneering the new technology.
A British tech start-up that was founded by a Royal Marines Reservist and pilot, Richard Browning, is currently conducting tests of its Daedalus Mark I jet packs, which are inspired by the superhero movie character “Iron Man.”
The test flights began last year, and engineers are currently exploring the ways that the jet packs could be used to assist in naval operations.
New video footage was just released by Gravity Industries demonstrating the awesome power of the technology. It features a British Royal Marine wearing the suit during a Maritime Boarding Operation. He flies over a boat and lands on the ship, performing an operation that would only be possible otherwise with the use of a helicopter.
“The vision with the Jet Suit is to provide extremely rapid access to any part of the target vessel, instantly freeing up hands to bear a weapon, and even retaining the capability to relocate on target or self-exfiltrate,” Gravity Industries said in a press release.
“This is increasingly seen as a revolution in tactical capability for many special forces and has much broader application beyond Maritime boarding.”
Unlike traditional ideas of what a jetpack looks like, this one attaches the jet engines to the arms of the user. That means the downwards thrust is controlled by the arms and hands, offering greater manoeuvrability for the user.
Just take a look at the footage for yourself.
It almost seems fake, right?
The technology may not ultimately be used in combat operations, but could prove extremely useful in search and rescue missions – but it comes at a price.
Gravity Industries says that each jet suit will cost around $430,000.
