To be fair, this is less Tony Stark’s Iron Man military tech than it is Pepper Potts’ ‘Rescue‘ armor, which is…(NERD ALERT!) an emergency search and rescue unit, for which its abilities are focused solely on defense and protection.
In the below video we see Gravity Industries, working with the UK’s Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS), flying to a simulated casualty on a remote mountain in 90 seconds – a fraction of the time it would take to walk there. Obvious Statement: Time is crucial in emergency rescue situations.
The jet pack uses microjets powered by jet fuel or diesel that are mounted on the pilot’s arms and back. The helmet has a heads-up display showing key data like thrust and fuel levels.
Did the test flight look amazing? Yes. But, the unit only has a flight time of 5 to 10 minutes and requires the user to undergo very specialized training and physical fitness regime to simply operate one. It also has limitations to the specific terrain and altitudes it can cover. PLUS the price… one sold recently for $438,000. You’d have to be a billionaire, tech-genius to even afford one.
Andy Mawson, GNAAS director of operations said, “In many cases this would ease the patient’s suffering. In some cases, it would save their lives.”
