DRDO Close to Electric Jetpack Prototype Military Trials

Defense News ,India :- The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is close to deliver a prototype for military trials of an electric jetpack. While developers are striving to extend the current flight range of 20 minutes to approximately two hours, the wearable human flight platform is anticipated to offer a cost-effective alternative to high-priced jet suits available in the market.

Globally, companies like the British human flight firm Gravity produce jet suits resembling those seen in Iron Man, with each unit priced at around $400,000. However, the DRDO's jetpack is expected to distinguish itself by employing battery-run electric ducted fans (EDFs) instead of micro gas turbines, making it a more financially viable option for widespread military use.

Electric ducted fans are integrated propulsion systems featuring a multi-bladed fan, a high-power-density electric motor, and a shroud surrounding the fan and motor. The DRDO developers are focusing on achieving a high thrust-to-weight ratio for the jetpack, aiming to enhance endurance and range compared to conventional fuel-based jets.

Sources indicate that the prototype of DRDO's wearable human flight platform is slated for completion in the coming months, after which it will undergo trials with the armed forces. The 43rd Report of the Standing Committee on Defence, released in December, highlighted DRDO's plans, emphasizing the feasibility study and development of a prototype utilizing battery-driven EDFs.

With the Indian Army expressing the need for jetpack suits to navigate landmine-infested areas, the DRDO's electric jetpack could serve as a crucial solution, especially if it achieves a flight range of two hours. This advancement could pave the way for conducting surgical strikes in challenging terrains or support anti-Naxal operations and similar actions in forests by paramilitary forces.

In addition to DRDO's efforts, sources reveal that Indian private sector developers, including Bengaluru-based company Absolute Composites, are actively conducting research and development on jetpack technology. Absolute Composites, in particular, is positioning itself as a potential competitor to DRDO, offering a cost-effective alternative that could revolutionize the landscape of military aviation.