The jetpack is armed with a cannon to ensure its defense during flights. The system tracks the movement of the pilot’s head and is supposed to compensate for shot recoil.
The Gravity Industries jetpack is making headlines again with a video on TikTok showing the integration of a weapon system into the whole thing. The pilot is several meters high and fires several shots.fireinto the water from an automatic weapon hanging from the jetpack pod at right shoulder level. To adjust the shot, the weapon follows the movements of the head. The recoil during shots is immediately compensated by the robotic arm.
After the certainly spectacular demonstrations with the British Navy, the tactical interest of this jetpack raises questions and leaves one doubtful. But given that Gravity Industries wishes to obtain contracts with the military, the company still seeks to convince by imagining solutions that could convince them of the interest of the device. It must be said that the evolution of the jetpack in tunes is far from being stealthy . In addition, the pilot has both hands occupied and cannot defend himself against enemy fire during the flight. With five to ten kilos of fuel on theback, we immediately imagine the little future of this solution. It is therefore to reduce this vulnerability during flight that Gravity Industries has developed this particular weapon system which is controlled with head movements to aim.
Defense shot
As early as 2019, a prototype had been developed with an airsoft rifle. It was then a mini-turret capable of rotating the weapon on all axes. It had an inertial measurement unit (IMU). Its data was compared to that of another IMU placed in the pilot’s helmet so that the weapon could follow the movement of the head to aim. The system was too dangerous for the pilot and today, on this much more elaborate prototype, instead of a turret, the gun simply tilts up and down. It is the pilot who adjusts the shot by rotating the jetpack on the roll axis. A laser aim is present to refine the shot. If the system seems much better designed, it remains difficult to imagine that it is possible to aim accurately while moving with the jetpack, unless the objective is to carry out a barrier shot to protect the pilot. If this is the case, the system will need to have as much ammunition as possible.
The British Royal Navy can seize a ship with a jetpack!
Fast boats of the British Navy rush towards a warship and suddenly, one of the soldiers launches into the air and lands on the deck of the ship. He rolls out a ladder on his side so that the commando can board. Here is one of three scenarios tested by the Royal Marine to quickly storm a ship using a jetpack . This video, published this week by Gravity Industries, also shows the boarding of the ship by three soldiers equipped with jetpacks.
If the images are impressive, it remains difficult to believe in the operational effectiveness of these jetpacks in a real situation, if only because of their lack of discretion given the volumes ound of the turbines . And then, moving as little stealthily towards the enemy, with a tank filled with several kg of fuel, may not be the best idea. Finally, once on board, you still have to get rid of the pair of reactors and the tank to then be able to take out a weapon…
In short, even if the images are surprising, the success of such a scenario remains improbable and the user of this jetpack whose two arms are occupied with managing the thrusters represents a prime target for the enemy.
