The British Royal Navy has developed and tested jet suites for its personnel to enable “Super fast maritime boarding operations” and commando raids.  These jet packs, which resemble the flying suit seen in the Iron Man superhero character, have now crossed over from the reel into the real world. It looks like a typical James Bond-like gadget, except that it might be applied to real-time military situations soon. 

The propeller attached to the arms of the wearer allows them to take off from the ground and hover above the surface, changing direction, and velocity as required. Footage from the testing shows a British naval soldier taking off from the surface of the HMS Tamar, an offshore patrol ship. The jet pack device is worn on the wearer’s back and two propellers are also attached to either arm.

Gravity Industries, the developer of the gadget, informed that the trial exercise was undertaken by 42 Commando Royal Marines over 3 days. The British Naval Chief, Admiral Tony Radakin, said that the suit was the latest “game-changing kit”. The suit provides an alternative to airdrops to commandoes in order to carry out raids on ships at sea. This exercise seen in the video was to simulate a “visit, board, search, and seizure” operation. Paramedics can also use these jetpacks to reach people in distress in remote or inaccessible locations in minimal time.