Jetpacks? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Jetpacks...

[Scomagia]

Ever shot clays? Aerial targets are difficult to hit, to say nothing of an aerial target that's intentionally evading you.

Just fire a stinger at it.

Fair enough. That's an expensive way to kill one dude, though.

[The New California Republic]

Just fire a stinger at it.

Fair enough. That's an expensive way to kill one dude, though.

Well it's also destroying what is likely a very expensive bit of kit.

[Scomagia]

Fair enough. That's an expensive way to kill one dude, though.

Well it's also destroying what is likely a very expensive bit of kit.

I think the units run about $250,000. Not that expensive relative to other hardware.

Stingers run about $38,000.

[The New California Republic]

Well it's also destroying what is likely a very expensive bit of kit.

I think the units run about $250,000. Not that expensive relative to other hardware.

Stingers run about $38,000.

Investing 38 grand to destroy 250 grand is a win in my book.

[Scomagia]

I think the units run about $250,000. Not that expensive relative to other hardware.

Stingers run about $38,000.

Investing 38 grand to destroy 250 grand is a win in my book.

Hard to argue against that.

[Kernen]

I can't see a jetboard actually used in combat. What a target that guy makes.

But as a proof of concept for micro jet turbines on drones? Very impressive.

Ever shot clays? Aerial targets are difficult to hit, to say nothing of an aerial target that's intentionally evading you.

I don't need to hit it with one shotgun shell. I can pop at it all day with a rifle.

Here's the thing. You can't move that thing fast if you want to aim or land or turn. Look how hard it is for him to redirect. That's what makes him a target. He's got *no* cover when airborne and no way to evade when he's trying to land or shoot back.

Bad platform is bad.

Of course, on a drone, those rotors would be impressive. Especially for resupplying a unit remotely.

[Scomagia]

Ever shot clays? Aerial targets are difficult to hit, to say nothing of an aerial target that's intentionally evading you.

I don't need to hit it with one shotgun shell. I can pop at it all day with a rifle.

Here's the thing. You can't move that thing fast if you want to aim or land or turn. Look how hard it is for him to redirect. That's what makes him a target. He's got *no* cover when airborne and no way to evade when he's trying to land or shoot back.

Bad platform is bad.

Of course, on a drone, those rotors would be impressive. Especially for resupplying a unit remotely.

That's fair. What do you think of the potential civilian applications? Would you ride one?

[Kernen]

I don't need to hit it with one shotgun shell. I can pop at it all day with a rifle.

Here's the thing. You can't move that thing fast if you want to aim or land or turn. Look how hard it is for him to redirect. That's what makes him a target. He's got *no* cover when airborne and no way to evade when he's trying to land or shoot back.

Bad platform is bad.

Of course, on a drone, those rotors would be impressive. Especially for resupplying a unit remotely.

That's fair. What do you think of the potential civilian applications? Would you ride one?

No, because I dont feel like dying. It runs too low for a parachute and too fast for a kevlar suit to be useful for more than road rash. The helmet is basically guaranteed to be insufficient when you inevitably fall.

[Scomagia]

That's fair. What do you think of the potential civilian applications? Would you ride one?

No, because I dont feel like dying. It runs too low for a parachute and too fast for a kevlar suit to be useful for more than road rash. The helmet is basically guaranteed to be insufficient when you inevitably fall.

Where's your sense of adventure?

[Kernen]

No, because I dont feel like dying. It runs too low for a parachute and too fast for a kevlar suit to be useful for more than road rash. The helmet is basically guaranteed to be insufficient when you inevitably fall.

Where's your sense of adventure?

Packed away in my closet. It clashed with my sense of self-preservation and desire to ever walk again.

[Le Slavador]

If jet packs were like they do in the movies, and theres not that high of amount of accidents from them, then possibly yes. It’d be cool to fly around without having anything large to support, or with anyone else.

However, I like the current way of transport. Buses and trains are okay to me, and they’re my favourite. So I’d take more time to consider this if I would.

Sigh. I'm a civilian, and the chances of me getting my own jet board is low in the near future. My pessimistic side says it might take a decade or more to refine it for widespread distribution (if it ever gets a go-signal to be sold to civilians).

So, yes, like you I'll take more time to think about this one, if it ever becomes easily available in the future.

[An Alan Smithee Nation]

A must have for paparazzi photographers.