Gravity Industries develops battery powered jetsuit prototype

The switch to more environmentally friendly battery-powered electric vehicles is a transformation already sweeping across cars, vans, lorries and even, at an earlier stage, aeroplanes. But there’s a much less traditional mode of transport that is also keen to make the switch from fossil fuels to sustainably generated electric – jetsuits.

Gravity Industries, the British jetsuit manufacturer founded by “Britain’s Iron Man” Richard Browning, has developed a prototype of a battery powered jetsuit. The company’s current models, powered by four small engines located on the arms and a larger engine on the back, are fueled by jet fuel, road diesel or a bio version of either.

The current prototype e-jetsuit that Gravity Industries have developed can only fly for about 15 seconds at 5 mph at up to 10ft but range and power is expected to continually improve as battery technology advances. The e-suits are also cheaper to make than the current fuel-powered jetsuits because, says Browning,

“the complexity of batteries, fans and electric motors is far less than that of the 750C, 120,000-rpm gas turbines.”

Browning, who holds the world record for the fastest ever jetsuit flight, which saw him reach 85mph, commented:

“How cool that we created something that was only in the realm of superhero Marvel Comics a few years ago — and now we’re discussing the thing that’s going to replace that.”

The electric jetsuit could be available to the public to try from as little as £200 a day by as early as next year and sounds like it will represent a major upgrade on fuel-powered models when battery technology allows for greater range and power:

“The e-suit gives you this unique form of human flight — but cleaner and greener. The electric suit has over 20kg of high-discharge capacity lithium batteries and a bunch of electric motors with six ducted fans. It’s quieter, there’s no heat, it’s instant startup, and you could even submerge the whole thing in water without damage.”

Special forces would be expected to be a buyer of the electric models when they offer greater range with Browning explaining:

“Wearing the suit would propel them slowly through water before they accelerate up and then fly out.”

The current fuel-powered jetsuit can keep someone weighing 85kg and carrying 15kg of gear for 4 minutes and Browning expects it to take around 3 years to develop the e-suit to the point it can match that. Within 12-18 months he is confident the e-suit will have a 45-second range.