New Jetpack Could Help Soldiers Run as fast as 4 minutes a mile

KDVR-TV ^ | 9/16/14

[SoFloFreeper]

Jason Kerestes, a student at Arizona State University, in conjunction with the Pentagon’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, have come up with the 4 Minute Mile — or 4MM — a jetpack that can help soldiers move faster without requiring them to exert more physically.

The jetpack gives the runner a boost in an attempt to shave off time with a goal of running a 4-minute mile. Early testing has shown that even carrying the jetpack equipment, the runner could complete a 200-meter run faster and with decreased exertion.

[SoFloFreeper]

Interesting technology.

[Pecos]

When I first saw this demonstrated on TV, I began to wonder what the soldier would have to discard in order to make up for the extra weight. Battery weight, alone, for a rig big enough to make a significant tactical difference would outweigh the average soldier's ruck.

Nice toy. Please come back when you have something that actually is a game-changer.

[prisoner6]

Sooo...just thinking it through...if the tech becomes available to the general public would you need an operaor’s license? Insurance? Would someone be able to use it for commuting? Could it be used on the sidewalk or would it have to be used in the street?

[ArtDodger]

Shades of Starship Troopers, the book, not the movie.

[BCW]

Some general has been playing way too much HALO...

[Caipirabob]

Can it outrun Ebola? Just asking, because that’s where bozo is tossing the troops next...

[bikerman]

What happens if one should trip and fall is he pinned to the ground till the thing stops???

[eartick]

Not for clumsy people....gotta take a test.

[BobL]

She’s a lively one. Glad I didn’t marry here...could never keep up.

[areukiddingme1]

Well...like I used to tell my Sailor’s...If you can’t fight, you don’t have to run.

[Old Yeller]

If it’s a jet pack, why can’t they run a mile in about 10 seconds?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

The French ought to like this.

[R. Scott]

Use it with roller blades?

[IronJack]

Wile E. Coyote did. Often. Usually with disastrous results.

[longfellow]

Um this is @$$ wipes army. Will it be used to run away from the enemy?
I’m sure Kerry would have loved one in Vietnam.

[wrench]

Super faceplant if you trip.

[NCLaw441]

You know what would help make even faster times? A bicycle, or a motorcycle, or a car...

[PoloSec]

Like every tech in the beginning it is plagued with problems, if the problems cannot be fixed by further development than it will be shelved by industry, but the idea will never be discarded, eventually some one will endeavor to perfect it, probably by some kid working from his dads garage.

[SoFloFreeper]

True dat, but not always available in the field of battle.

[JimRed]

Try turning or stopping with all that added weight and momentum- that’ll be interesting!