Breaking News
Exclusive: French Army Tests British Jetpack Flying Soldier Concept Following Trials by British Special Forces.
During the National Infantry Days in Canjuers, Var, the French Army unveiled a new experiment highlighting its interest in cutting-edge technology: the "flying soldier" concept. This initiative, part of an ongoing effort to enhance the operational capabilities of troops, underscores the importance of new mobility solutions on the battlefield.
The French Army unveiled a new experiment highlighting its interest in cutting-edge technology. (Picture source: French MoD)
The project is not entirely new. In 2019, the Flyboard Air had already garnered attention. Its military potential led the Defense Innovation Agency (AID) to grant a subsidy of €1.3 million to adapt this device to operational constraints. Concurrently, the French Aerospace Lab (ONERA) was involved in its development. Equipped with six engines, four of which deliver 250 horsepower each, the Flyboard Air can reach an altitude of 10,000 feet, thanks to advanced algorithms.
In 2021, Florence Parly, then Minister of the Armed Forces, announced that the special forces would experiment with a flying platform derived from this system. The Special Operations Command (COS) viewed this device as an opportunity for infiltration and exfiltration missions. However, enthusiasm for the project waned after an accident during a demonstration over Lake Biscarrosse in 2022.
In 2019, the British Royal Marines tested a jetpack developed by Gravity Industries, introducing a new approach to maritime boarding operations. This system is based on an exoskeleton equipped with five micro-gas turbines—two mounted on each arm and one on the back—generating a total thrust of 144 kilograms and combined power exceeding 1,000 horsepower. This configuration enables flight speeds of over 80 km/h and a maximum altitude of 3,000 meters, although operational flights are usually conducted at lower altitudes for safety and efficiency.
The Gravity Industries jetpack was designed to provide rapid and flexible mobility, particularly in maritime environments where boarding moving ships poses significant challenges. During tests, an operator launched from a fast boat flew over the sea, and landed on a target ship’s deck within seconds, showcasing the system's ability to reduce infiltration time and minimize exposure to threats.
However, integrating this technology into the armed forces raises questions about ergonomics and combat operability. The jetpack, weighing approximately 27 kilograms without fuel, can limit a soldier's range of motion and complicate the use of standard weaponry. Additionally, the limited flight duration—typically between three and four minutes depending on conditions and payload—requires precise mission planning to avoid situations where the operator could run out of fuel in hostile areas.
Despite these challenges, the Royal Marines' tests demonstrated the jetpack’s potential for specific operations requiring speed and surprise. Observing these developments, the French Army is evaluating the adaptation of such technologies to meet its own operational needs, while considering the ergonomic and tactical constraints inherent in their use on the ground.
The French Army justified these tests by emphasizing the importance of identifying real needs and determining how to leverage these technologies to enhance combat effectiveness. Light brigade regiments, in particular, seek to bolster their mobility and offensive capabilities, especially in challenging environments such as mountainous and airborne zones.
The French Army Chief of Staff, General Pierre Schill, highlighted the key issue of these innovations: their utility for field units and their scalability across the entire army. While some solutions may be suitable for special forces, adopting them on a broader scale remains a significant challenge.
The integration of a jetpack into the French infantry enhances operational capabilities by providing unparalleled mobility and flexibility on the battlefield. This technology would enable rapid deployment across challenging terrains such as mountains or urban environments, bypassing natural and man-made obstacles with ease. In high-stakes missions, jetpacks could facilitate swift infiltration and exfiltration, reducing the time soldiers spend exposed to enemy fire. While challenges remain regarding endurance and weapon operability, the potential for these devices to augment the speed, agility, and tactical options of French infantry units underscores their strategic value in modern warfare.
This experimentation reflects the French Army’s commitment to innovation in addressing the challenges of modern conflicts. Despite existing technical and operational obstacles, the "flying soldier" concept demonstrates a forward-looking vision, where technology and operational performance converge to strengthen the capabilities of the French armed forces.