The speeder bikes used in Star Wars could soon be flying out of the big screen and into the real world after the US military teamed up with a British company to develop real-life hoverbikes.

As part of an ongoing research and development project, British company Malloy Aeronautics is working with US-based SURVICE engineering to develop a hoverbike technology for the US Department of Defense as a new type of tactical reconnaissance vehicle.

Check out the video above to see a scale version of the hoverbike flying a 3D-printed robot, as well as a bigger version being tested with ground ropes.

Malloy will be opening an office in Maryland, because of its proximity to the Army Research Laboratory and facilities.

Maryland’s Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford said he was excited to welcome the company to the US. “I am pleased to join with SURVICE Engineering and Malloy Aeronautics to announce their partnership on the hoverbike, which represents a new frontier in aviation.”

The hoverbike started as a Kickstarter project in 2014. Malloy Aeronautics turned to the crowd-funding website to sell one-third-scale versions to raise funds to build a full-size version, hitting its £60,000 target within nine days.

Company founder Chris Malloy, says the hoverbike is a cheaper and more durable alternative to a helicopter.

It features four motors and four propellers and can carry a passenger weighing up to 130kg for 45 minutes or can be flown unmanned. It folds down to a third of its original size for easy transportation.

Along with military user, the team believe the hoverbike could be used for aerial cattle mustering, search and rescue (particularly ski and mountain rescue), aerial survey, filming and power-line inspection.

A model was demonstrated at the 2015 Paris Air Show and the team are currently at ground-testing phase. When completed the full-size hoverbike is expected to cost around $55,000 (£34,987), if you’ve got the money prototypes are available now.

Video credit: Malloy Aeronautics

