Dubai is looking at the possibility of investing in a new jetpack which will be used to respond to emergency situations.
Martin Jetpack unveiled the Dubai Civil Defence-branded jetpack at Dubai Airshow (below), and while no deal has been confirmed, Peter Coker, CEO of Martin Jetpack said the local authority in Dubai was one of a number of Middle East government agencies interested in looking at investing in the technology, which has been around for a number of years.
“It was designed about 35 years ago, so it has gone through a lot of design ever since, and now we’re into commercialisation,” Coker told Arabian Business.
“There are two ducted fans driven by a two-litre, two-stroke V4 engine, which has 200 horsepower. It flies 74 kph, up to 3,000 feet, and has about 30 to 45 minute endurance right now. It can carry up to 120 kilograms and can be flown manned or unmanned, like a UAV [Unmanned Aerial Vehicle] or a drone. Of course, it’s a heavy-flight UAV unlike the little ones that carry up to 8 kilograms, we can carry up to 120 kilograms.”
As an added safety feature, the jetpack features a low opening ballistic parachute along with carbon fibre landing gear and pilot module.
The jetpack, which is expected to retail at somewhere between $200,000 and $250,000, was first launched at this year’s Paris Airshow, where interest was strong, according to Coker.
“Our first target customer is the first responder – fire, police, ambulance, natural disaster recovery, border security,” said Coker. “And then we’re looking at the commercial sector, which is farming, oil and gas and mining. And then finally it will be personal jetpack for flying schools and personal enjoyment.”
By approaching government agencies, Coker said it allows the company to build its orderbook in the right way.
“As you go to the market, you want to build up your brand and your brand reputation in anything you do. When you’re working with first responders, they tend to look after the equipment and do things differently,” he said.
Martin Jetpack is a New Zealand-based company that is publicly listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and currently valued at $142 million.
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