Dubai gives its firefighters twin-engine jetpacks to fight skyscraper fires

Damn you, firefighters. Not only do you have one of the most-loved professions in the world, now you also get jetpacks?

Dubai, the city known for its skyline — after all, it hosts Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building — signed a deal Monday with New Zealand's Martin Aircraft to equip its fire service personnel with manned and unmanned jetpacks

Martin Aircraft's jetpacks are very different from the jet-propelled wings flown by Jetman over Dubai — they allow for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) and are small enough to operate between buildings or in other confined areas inaccessible by helicopters. Their two, 200-horsepower engines give them a top speed of 45mph, and they can operate in altitudes of up to 3,000 feet with a maximum flight time of 45 minutes Read more...