RE: Armed flyboard rider whizzing above Paris
I'm suitably amazed, and am sure we all want one. For military applications, I reckon integrating the controls into a bespoke firearm platform is preferable to the extant remote. I wouldn't want to have to land it on a boat in any kind of weather, or anything remotely flammable, but that leaves a lot of good prospects. Clearly, flight time is limited, and I suspect that's not going to be resolvable via midair refueling easily. Combine the engine tech with a more comfortable platform, and some of those limitations could be mitigated.
The compact size and apparent ease of use is truly inspirational. I have to note that one handed operation of a shouldered firearm is of extremely limited utility, and reckon the flyboard is far more suitable to transporting a warfighter to a fire zone than as a platform for firing operations. Whoever had him carry the firearm was overly interested in projecting fear and had little grasp of military capability.
Thanks!