Jetpack goes to war – Science – Kommersant

by time news

California-based JetPack Aviation (JPA) is one of the world’s first true jetpacks. This long flight time device has previously been advertised primarily for entertainment purposes.

David Mayman, founder, CEO and chief pilot of JPA, was the main operator of his brainchild – he himself was happy to demonstrate the work of jetpacks. The company assumed that from pure entertainment, the flying device would someday turn into a commercial product: the JB series was being prepared for sale.

On Monday, it turned out that the sale had already taken place – and the JPA client was not private individuals, but, as stated in a press release, an unknown military customer from Southeast Asia. This customer will receive two JB-12 backpacks, for each of which $ 400,000 will be paid. The delivery is expected to take place in the next six months.

The JB-12 is a new model, until it was shown to the public, there are only images. In the video, the testers fly with the previous model, the JB-11. But as Mayman explained, the new model, like the JB-11, uses three small, turbocharged Jetcat engines. A threefold safety factor, according to the creators, will give pilots an excellent chance to survive if one or two engines fail. The JB-12 on-board computers are likely to become significantly more powerful and more reliable than the JB-11.

The JB-12 weighs 48 kg, has a maximum thrust of 2.34 kilonewtons, and is capable of speeds up to 193 km / h.

“The customer agreement confirms that our JB-12 JetPacks provide the military with exceptional capabilities for a wide range of missions in the air,” Mayman says. customer interest in our jetpacks. This deal is a significant step forward for us: it is clear that the JPA development program meets the military needs. “

Based on materials

Leonty Krivov

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