Context: This article discusses the increasing presence of drones, artificial intelligence, and other technological innovations on the battlefield to distance human soldiers from dangerous areas. It also delves into the use of the Flyboard Air, a flying platform, and its potential implications for future warfare.
Fact Check: The Flyboard Air was indeed presented on July 14, 2019, during a military parade in France. It received attention due to its innovative capabilities, such as reaching an altitude of 10,000 feet. However, the project was eventually abandoned, according to a recent interview with a French military official.
– Article published on October 28, 2025
Drones, artificial intelligence, and other technological innovations are increasingly making their way onto battlefields in an effort to keep human beings away from dangerous zones. However, we are still far from seeing conflicts resolved solely with “robots.” Thus, human soldiers are still necessary to win a war. This is why current technological innovations also aim to make them more effective.
Soldiers Who No Longer Walk, But Fly?
In 2025, the Flyboard Air, or Flyboard-R, is not a novelty. Remember, in 2019, this flying platform was presented with great fanfare during the July 14 parade.
[Embedded Twitter post showing Franky Zapata and his “Flyboard Air” on July 14, 2019]
The interest was enormous, and the public was curious about this innovation that allowed a different approach to operational theaters. This interest resulted in a grant of 1.3 million euros from the Defense Innovation Agency (AID) to Zapata Industries, the designers of the Flyboard Air.
The Flyboard Air had interesting capabilities, notably the ability to reach an altitude of 10,000 feet, or just over 3000 meters. A new way to approach the terrain and troop movement on the ground.
Two years after the presentation of the flying platform on the Champs-Elysées, there were discussions about integrating such innovation into French special forces. This was announced by the then Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, as reported by Opex360.
And since then? Nothing, the Flyboard Air was forgotten by the general public… and also by the army.
The Return of the Flyboard Air?
Not really. The project has, for all intents and purposes, been abandoned, according to Bruno Baratz from the Future Combat Command. In an interview with YouTuber Romain Lanéry on October 26, 2025, the general expressed regrets about the Flyboard Air, but also the French army’s ambitions for the “war of the future.”
Although 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 swiftly or withdraw from a dangerous area.
Pointing to the war in Ukraine where “assault units use motorcycles and quad bikes to move quickly,” he highlighted the relevance of a future platform to succeed the Flyboard Air.
“Objects like that, indeed, I think we will see them fairly quickly on the battlefields,” said 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
