Bastille Day: Hoverboard carries gun-toting ‘flying soldier’ during military parade in Paris
French Armed Forces Minister hails it as ‘assault platform’ of the future
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A French inventor has shown off a jet-powered hoverboard during the annual Bastille Day military parade in France.
Frank Zapata, a former JetSki champion and army reservist, flew above the crowds carrying a rifle in a demonstration of the potential military applications of his Flyboard invention.
European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, applauded the Flyboard as it passed overhead.
French Armed Forces Minister Florence Parly said the technology could be used to create flying soldiers that could take to the battlefields in the future.
She told France Inter radio that the Flyboard “can allow tests for different kinds of uses, for example as a flying logistical platform or, indeed, as an assault platform”.
The fly by of the so-called "flying soldier" appeared alongside more than 4,000 armed forces and 100 aircraft during the Bastille Day celebrations, which were marked with violence as hundreds of Gilets Jaune protestors clashed with police.
Capable of flying at speeds of up to 190 km/h, the Flyboard was originally developed to fly over water but has since been adapted to also work on land.
The Flyboard has already received funding from the French military for its development, while Mr Zapata has also worked closely with the US military to explore combat applications.
A version of the Flyboard was featured in The Drive in 2018, revealing that it could cost up to $250,000 to deploy one unit.
Mr Zapata next plans to fly his hoverboard over the English Channel on 25 July – exactly 110 years after the first aerial crossing of the Channel.
With a flight time of only 10 minutes, the Flyboard will need to be refuelled in mid-air throughout the crossing.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments