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Jet packs to help US soldiers run a four-minute mile on battlefield
PUBLISHED : Wednesday, 17 September, 2014, 8:36pm
UPDATED : Thursday, 18 September, 2014, 2:49am
The Washington Post
Researcher Jason Kerestes wants all US service members to be able to run while wearing the jet pack. Photo: Arizona State University
The US military hasn't been shy about its desire to use technology to develop a new generation of super soldiers. But here's one effort that is sure to raise eyebrows - jet packs to make combat troops faster on foot.
The equipment is worn like a backpack as part of Arizona State University's "4MM" project, according to a new video released by the university. That stands for "four-minute mile", which researchers want all US service members to be able to run while wearing the jet pack.
"In a warfare-type arena, this could be potentially the difference between life and death," Jason Kerestes, a researcher on the project, says in the video.
"If you think of a Navy SEAL or an army soldier that has to get in somewhere quick and do whatever they've got to do, but maybe get out of there just as quickly … these devices can really help."
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The video shows test subjects wearing the pack on treadmills, a running track and a city street.
The project is funded by the United States Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency, which specialises in futuristic concepts including sniper bullets that turn in mid-flight and vehicles that can dodge explosions.