California-based JetPack Aviation announced it has closed a sale with an undisclosed military customer in Southeast Asia for two JB12 JetPacks. The USD $800,000 order will take around six months to complete.
Weighing 105 lbs. (48kg) and powered by six turbojet engines each delivering around 88 lbs. (0.39kN) thrust, the JB12 delivers unprecedented air mobility to individual pilots. The vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) JetPack is controlled through whole-engine vectoring and a thrust management computer that enables the pilot to hover and maneuver in all directions, at speeds up to 120mph (193km/h).
“The ratification of this deal demonstrates that the JB12 JetPack provides defense forces with exceptional aerial capabilities to fulfill a wide array of mission requirements. The maneuverability of the JetPack, its small form factor, which fits inside a set of standard Pelican cases, and ease of integration with our Speeder platform to complement the JB12’s capabilities, were all factors that informed the sale,” said David Mayman, founder and CEO of JetPack Aviation. “This order represents a significant step forward for us as it confirms that our development program is meeting military needs.”
The JetPack technology supports the ongoing development of the Speeder program. With its unique combination of heavy payload, speed, minimal-footprint VTOL operation, simplicity and optionally piloted flight, the Speeder offers unparalleled special missions and emergency services capabilities, with longer term application to the urban air mobility market.
In military and special missions’ applications the JB12 and Speeder offer distinctive individual capabilities, while together they offer an attractive mix of personal mobility and high-speed VTOL mission performance. Through commonality of technology and operational compatibility, the teaming of JB12 and Speeder enables expansion into new, emerging mission sets.
JetPack Aviation recently completed flight trials with P1, its first full-scale prototype Speeder, and plans to begin flying P1.5 later in 2021. The aircraft will gather data to inform the design and build of P2, for which flight test is anticipated from Q1/2 2022. Demand for the Speeder is expected to be high and JetPack Aviation has already begun readying letters of intent for customers and taking pre-orders for the aircraft.
The Speeder and JB12 burn regular Jet A-1, kerosene, or diesel, but in a recent cooperative supply agreement with Prometheus Fuels Inc., JetPack Aviation has committed to using 100-perccent zero net carbon fuel in all its future operations.
