Implant Sciences [IMSC], which makes explosives trace detection (ETD) systems for transportation security and is currently the sole supplier of desktop ETDs to the Transportation Security Administration, on Thursday said it has agreed to buy a small French company that has developed flight systems for individuals.

Implant Sciences last year initiated a strategic review and said on Thursday it is evaluating a “number of offers” for its ETD business. In addition to TSA deliveries, Implant in the past year has made significant inroads internationally, particularly in Europe, selling its desktop ETDs for aviation security.

Individual aboard a Zapata Industries Flyboard Air system. Photo: Zapata Industries.
Individual aboard a Zapata Industries Flyboard Air system during flight test. Photo: Zapata Industries.

Implant is in debt and the company said the acquisition of Zapata Industries could leave it debt-free pending a restructuring that could include the sale of the ETD business or a capital raise. The company also said that with the acquisition it would have at least $20 million on cash for working capital at a deal cost of $15 million.

Zapata has developed and flown the Flyboard Air, a stand-on flying device powered by an independent propulsion unit and that can fly autonomously up to 10,000 feet and reach a top speed of 93 miles per hour.

The acquisition, which still must be approved by Implant’s shareholders, seems like a strange play given the company’s success in the past year against ETD stalwarts France’s Safran Group and Britain’s Smiths Group. But the company said it believes Zapata’s personal flying technology, which looks like it would make “The Jetsons” a reality, is “disruptive of the air transportation industry.”

“The potential acquisition of Zapata brings Implant Sciences a best-in-class personal balance and flight technology that has far reaching military and consumer applications,” Robert Liscouski, Implant’s president and a member of its board, said in a statement. “We are beyond excited to have visionaries like Franky Zapata and his team on board and we are thrilled to allow for shareholders to benefit from the many breakthrough products he has already invented and the new innovations he will be unveiling in coming months and years.”

Implant said that the Flyboard Air uses Zapata’s proprietary algorithms and balance methodology to direct jet engines to act “both independently and harmoniously.”