Dubai’s Directorate of Civil Defence has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Martin Aircraft for the delivery of up to 20 jetpacks, which will be used to fight fires in the city’s high-rise towers.
The deal was signed earlier this week at the Dubai Air Show. Alongside manned and unmanned jetpacks, New Zealand-based Martin will also supply two simulators to the emirate, as well as training, spare parts and servicing.
“The vision of Dubai Civil Defence (DCD) is protecting lives, properties and environment and to provide fast professional service, efficient investment of human and material sources to give best results,” said the DCD’s Lt Col Ali Almutawa.
“Dubai is one of the fastest growing future cities in the world with its modern skyscrapers and vast infrastructure it has always been a world leader in adapting new technology to improve and save people’s lives, the introduction of Martin Jetpacks into our fleet of emergency response vehicles is another example of how Dubai leads the world.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8gncCih7Js
In development since 1981, the current iteration of the Martin Jetpack can be flown by pilot or remote control and is capable of vertical take off and landing (VTOL). A V4 engine provides a top speed of 40 knots, with a range of 30km and maximum flight time of around 30 minutes. The pilot can take the machine to a ceiling of 3,000ft, while a ballistic parachute system can be deployed in case of an emergency.
While Martin Aircraft has targeted the emergency services market in the past , the deal marks a significant step forward for the company and the technology’s commercial viability.
“Martin Aircraft has focused on the first responder markets for introduction of its innovative aircraft, the Martin Jetpack, which provides to organisations such as the Dubai Civil Defence a significant operational advantage being able to carry commercial payloads of up to 120kgs, unlike Quadcopters which are limited to only a few kilograms,” said Martin CEO and managing director Peter Coker.
“The UAE has such strong and visionary leadership that has recognised the importance and utility of our technology and we look forward to the day when His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, who we know is also a keen aviator, flies one of our Jetpacks and experience the practicality of what the future holds for us all.”
Tech specs for the Martin Jetpack can be found here.
All I can say is that it is not a jet pack! It is basically a twin turbine driven by a car engine. And how much is this supposed to cost. It should be relatively cheap to produce.
Martin, don’t care what it really is. If it’s not an April fool, I really want one!
Hardly likely fire-fighting. That could be accomplished with un-manned drone carrying liquid instead of pilot. What other uses might they want them for?
Specs say it runs on gasoline and 2-cycle oil. That means it’s exhaust is going to be a bit smoky. There wasn’t any mention as to the decibels it creates.
What’s its payload? No point in getting a man to the seat of a fire without equipment. Doesn’t ring true.
Both Anons – It looks real and it can be remotely operated with a load capacity of 120kg.
This magazines reporting standards once again fail to meet normal engineering rigour by omitting to state whether the stated 120kg carrying capacity includes the pilot. Presumably not, in which case it can only be used remotely for any kind of firefighting capability other than observational..
JohnK, read the article in full. It ends with “Tech specs for the Martin Jetpack can be found here”
PDF doc states “PAYLOAD AT FULL FUEL (PILOT + EQUIP WEIGHT) 120kg. My weight is roughly 65kg, meaning I could take up to 55kg of equipment with me, not bad at all IMO.