[Article dated October 28, 2025]
Drones, artificial intelligence, and other technological innovations are increasingly making their way onto the battlefield to keep humans as far away as possible from dangerous zones. However, we are still far from seeing conflicts being resolved solely with “robots”. Therefore, human soldiers are still necessary to win a war. This is why current technological innovations also seek to make them more effective.
Soldiers who no longer walk, but fly?
In 2025, the Flyboard Air, or Flyboard-R, is not a new concept. Remember, in 2019, this flying board was showcased with great fanfare during the Bastille Day parade.
The interest was huge, and the public was curious about this innovation that allowed a different approach to apprehending operation theaters. This interest led to a grant of 1.3 million euros from the Defense Innovation Agency (AID) to Zapata Industries, the creators of the Flyboard Air.
The Flyboard Air had interesting capabilities, such as being able to reach an altitude of 10,000 feet, or just over 3000 meters. A new way of approaching the terrain and troop movement on the ground.
Two years after the flying board presentation on the Champs-Elysées, there were talks of integrating such an innovation into the French special forces. This was announced by the Defense Minister at the time, Florence Parly, as reported by Opex360.
And since then? Nothing, the Flyboard Air was forgotten by the public and the military.
The comeback of the Flyboard Air?
Not really. The project has, so to speak, been abandoned according to Bruno Baratz of the Future Combat Command. In an interview with YouTuber Romain Lanery on October 26, 2025, the general expressed his regrets about the Flyboard Air but also discussed the French army’s ambitions for the “war of the future”.
While the Flyboard Air will not be part of the soldier’s equipment, Bruno Baratz emphasized the need for soldiers capable of quickly moving on the field to act fast or retreat from a dangerous area.
Taking the example of the war in Ukraine where “assault units are on bikes and quads to move fast”, Baratz pointed out the relevance of a possible future platform that would succeed the Flyboard Air.
“Objects like that, indeed, I think we will see them fairly quickly on the battlefield,” stated the senior officer to the YouTuber.
Now, it remains to be seen what priority and seriousness will be given to this project in the future. Source: Opex360
