A real life Iron Man suit similar to the one worn by Tony Stark has been awarded a patent in what its British creators are saying is the world's first for a 'jet suit'.

The Jet Suit is a wearable flight system with turbine engines mounted to the wearer's arms and back.

It uses five gas turbines that produce over 1,000 brake horsepower to gain flight and can reach speeds of over 55mph (89kph).

The body suit earned a Guinness World Record in 2017 for the fastest speed in a body-controlled jet engine power suit.

The Jet Suit uses five gas turbines which collectively produce over 1,000 brake horsepower to gain flight, and can reach speeds of over 55mph. Company founder Richard Browning has previously demonstrated the suit in more than 20 countries around the world.

HOW DOES THE 'JET SUIT' WORK? Number of turbines: 5 Fuel: Jet A1 Kerosene, Premium Diesel Engine: 1050bhp / 144kg RPM = 120,000 Fight Time: Up to 8 minutes Speed: Typically in excess of 60km/h Pilot weight: Under 13 stone (85kg) wearing current Jet Suit Advertisement

The patent was filed by British tech startup Gravity Industries whose founder, Richard Browning, has previously demonstrated the suit in more than 20 countries around the world.

Mr Browning says the firm now hope to launch a series of suits for teams to use fly around competitive race courses.

'Since launching Gravity in 2017, we have not stopped challenging the status quo,' he said.

'Restlessly pioneering developments in STEM, today's patent issuance is a giant milestone for Gravity which will enable us to continue to innovate and hopefully inspire others.

'Our current priority is the launch of a Gravity Race Series in late 2019, which will see a new cohort of diverse pilots putting their flight skills to the test, competing in teams on courses around the world.'

A British company has been awarded what it claims is the world's first patent for a 'jet suit'. Gravity Industries' multi-gas turbine engine Jet Suit has been described as a 'wearable flight system' that with turbine engines mounted to the wearer's arms and back

The patent, issued by the UK's Intellectual Property Office, covers: 'A wearable flight system with a number of propulsion assemblies including a left-hand propulsion assembly and a right-hand propulsion assembly worn on a user's hands and/or forearm'

The real life Iron Man suit is similar to the one worn by Tony Stark in the Marvel cinematic universe. In documents that formed part of the patent claim, the company cited the Iron Man suit's abilities

The patent, issued by the UK's Intellectual Property Office, covers 'A wearable flight system with a number of propulsion assemblies including a left-hand propulsion assembly and a right-hand propulsion assembly worn on a user's hands and/or forearm'.

'Preferably a body propulsion assembly is provided with support for a user's waist or torso. Leg propulsion systems may also be provided.'

In documents that formed part of the patent claim, the company cited Marvel Studios' Iron Man character and his use of a wearable flight system which utilises propulsion units worn on the hands.

The firm said it was already in 'advanced discussions' with possible host cities, broadcasters and sponsors over launching its race series in the second half of 2019.

The company has also launched a STEM (Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) project in UK schools.

It's mission, said the Gravity Industries website, is to 'inspire innovation and creativity in the STEM domain and encourage engagement and participation in STEM subjects prior to GCSE subject selection and beyond'.

Company founder Richard Browning has previously demonstrated the suit in more than 20 countries around the world. The firm said it was already in 'advanced discussions' with possible host cities and sponsors over launching its race series in the second half of 2019