British Navy conducts tests of Jet Suit backpack in naval assault operations scenario

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British Navy conducts tests of Jet Suit backpack in naval assault operations scenario
By: Naval Recognition News - Maritime Defense Industry - 10-18-20
Re: https://www.navyrecognition.com/inde...-scenario.html

Photo link: https://www.navyrecognition.com/imag...io_925_001.jpg
Gravity Industries team has also conducted another scenario with the takeoff of three pilots from the RIB boat performing an assault and landing exercise onto the P2000 Patrol Boat. (Picture source Print Screen Gravity Industries video)

Richard Browning the inventor of the Jet Suit backpack, test pilot and former Royal Marines Reservist has conducted tests over the sea with British Navy fast patrol boat HMS Dasher and a couple of boats to test his jet-powered bodysuit over the water for the first time.

During the test, Richard Browning fitted with its Jet Suit backpack has taken off from a PAC-24 Fast RIB (Rigid inflatable boat) to arrive by air onto a P2000 Patrol Boat. The same day, the Gravity Industries team has also conducted another scenario with the takeoff of three pilots from the RIB boat performing an assault and landing exercise onto the P2000 Patrol Boat. Both trials were successful.

The trials proved that the suit works over a large body of water and that the pilot can land and take-off with relative ease from boats or ships moving at speed – even with the limited space on the upper deck of a P2000 patrol vessel.

These different test flights were followed by the 47 Commando (Raiding Group) of the British Royal Marines exploring Future Commando Force concepts using multi-pilot launches from a RIB boat.

The Jet Suit pack incorporates five miniature jet engines, each providing 22 kg of thrust, with two mounted on each arm and one in a backpack. It allows him to achieve vertical take-off and control his direction and speed of flight by using his arms. The suit comes with a helmet that displays fuel levels, safety performance indicators, and Wi-Fi for ground monitoring.

A man equipped with the Jet Suit backpack can take off from anywhere without any preparation. It can fly at a maximum speed of 50 km/h and can carry enough fuel for about five to ten minutes of flight. According to Gravity Industries, the maximum potential altitude is 12,000 feet (3,650 m). The Jet suit has a weight of 27 kg without fuel.

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Personal note: Hmmm Buck Rodgers here we come. This prospect looks cool - but what happens if you end up in the sea with this gear on. Or flame out? Looks cool but still way too new - to risk ones life - without a few more years of testing. Brave souls taking to the air on a jet pack - looks just a bit scary - and I think much more testing is in the making before using it full time for right now. Could it explode if you went the water - before landing? Hmm lots of things to think about before making it a universal jet pack system. I would also imagine that it doesn't have enough fuel for a long hop and guidance flying one of these could be a big factor?

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