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Martin Jetpack Closer To Takeoff In First Responder Applications

Posted by samzenpus on from the when-you-have-to-get-there-in-a-hurry dept.

Zothecula writes Last year's redesign of the long-awaited Martin Jetpack was accompanied by plans to begin commercial sales in 2014, starting with emergency response services and individual sales to follow thereafter. The release date for the first responder Jetpack has since been revised to 2016, a prediction bolstered by the fresh announcement of a partnership between Martin Aircraft Company and US company Avwatch to develop air-based, first responder solutions for the US Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense.

12 of 55 comments (clear)

  1. Consumer Warning by Freshly+Exhumed · · Score: 3, Funny

    Do Not Use Indoors

    --
    I deny that I have not avoided attaining the opposite of that which I do not want.
  2. Not a jet pack by erice · · Score: 4, Informative

    Despite appearances, there is no "jet" or "rocket" engine. It is a pair of ducted fans driven by a four cylinder gasoline engine.

    It isn't a pack either. The weight of the machine is borne by a large frame that the pilot steps onto.

    It is really an odd sort of helicopter. It looks really cool and it is much more compact than a normal helicopter but it is not a jet-pack.

    1. Re:Not a jet pack by weiserfireman · · Score: 2

      I am trying to figure how this could be used by the Fire Service, in a first responder role.

      1. It doesn't look like it has the weight limit to do bucket drops for wildland firefighting
      2. It doesn't look like it has the weight limit to haul very much equipment
      3. It doesn't look like it could do any rescue
      4. At best, it looks like someone could scout the perimeter of a fire. For $200k, that is an awful expensive scout

      I see cops wanting this, but not the fire service

    2. Re:Not a jet pack by Radical+Moderate · · Score: 2

      Fire departments do a lot of EMT work. This would be a great tool for getting a medic to an injured person in rugged terrain. But aside from that, I'm not seeing it either. And your medic will need to be well-trained in flying this thing, or he'll need a medic. Training is expensive, combined with the cost of buying this thing the market for these seems pretty limited.

      In short, I don't see sales of this jet pack taking off.*ducks*

      --
      Never let a lack of data get in the way of a good rant.
    3. Re:Not a jet pack by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 2

      I just looked at the "technical specifications" on their website. Near the bottom it lists the fuel and oil as gasoline and 2 stroke oil. It doesn't state the engine is actually a 2 stroke. But it most likely is.

    4. Re:Not a jet pack by The+Grim+Reefer · · Score: 3, Informative

      Sorry for replying to myself twice. But It was listed under the Engine section. It's a 200 HP 2 liter 2 stroke. and weighs 132 pounds. That would be one hell of a fun engine to have in a 1000 lb sports car. Or one for each wheel at that size. Except it needs to be overhauled every 100 hours of use. Probably less than that for ground use though.

    5. Re:Not a jet pack by gl4ss · · Score: 2

      the use cases would be extremely, extremely limited.

      guess that's why they had to sign up homeland security to pay the bill with foot in mouth.

      if there's so little time that you can't get to the place by walking, from where you launch this, it's unlikely you can bring this thing near enough.

      if there's so little space around that you can't drop from a copter, unlikely that you can land this thing(cliff edge in the middle of a steep cliff or something - and really that's a quite rare case).

      if there's so bad visibility that you can't use the copter, it's unlikely you can use this.

      the only logical actual market for this thing is the personal relaxation extreme sports market.

      because really, it's just not something that you could keep in your usual kit with you 100% of time and will need regular maintenance and most of all it still needs a pilot.

      but anyhow, as it is it is pretty much just another +2 years addition to another jetpack, flying car etc project.

      --
      world was created 5 seconds before this post as it is.
  3. Oh lordy! by fustakrakich · · Score: 3, Informative

    You'd better listen to the noise. You definitely won't need a sireeen.

    --
    “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
  4. first responder call... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    911 DISPATCH: 911 What is your emergency?
    Person: There are 2 people here who need an ambulance!
    911 DISPATCH: OK We're sending over a First Responder!
    Person: OK
    WHOOSH...CRASH AHHHHHH!!
    Person: There are 3 people here who need an ambulance!

  5. So...a leaf blower? by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 2

    >> ducted fans driven by a four cylinder gasoline engine

    Yeah...the guy who blows the leaves off the parking lot has one of these too.

  6. Disruptive If We Say So Ourselves by DumbSwede · · Score: 2

    "The Martin Jetpack is a disruptive technology, much like the helicopter was when first developed, with substantial capabilities which will be very complementary to our solutions we can offer our customers," says Avwatch

    Uhhh, I don’t think so. This is like an extremely small helicopter, there is little I can see it doing a helicopter couldn’t. What few things it might be able to do a copter couldn’t, remote control drones will soon be able to do.

    I don’t think the 60’s jetpack dream will ever be truly realized.

    --
    Letter To Iran
  7. Not a disruptive technology by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

    with a limited range and load capability the small number of "rescue" missions it would be appropriate does not justify the cost. Except, they'll use taxpayer dollars.