Georgia Tech Student’s Jet-Powered Drone Hits 491 MPH, Nasing World Record
Aerospace engineering student Tomas Salvo's Reaper drone reached a staggering 491 mph, potentially breaking the world record and earning an $800,000 prize.
POLICY WIRE — Atlanta, USA — An ambitious aerospace engineering student at Georgia Tech has stunned the aviation community with a custom-built jet-powered drone that reportedly surpassed the existing world speed record.
The device, named the Reaper, was recorded reaching a top velocity of 491 mph (790 km/h) while transporting a 2.6-pound (1.2-kg) payload.
This feat significantly exceeds the previous record of 465 mph. Tomas Salvo developed and assembled the project entirely within the confines of his college dorm room.
The engineering behind the Reaper is highly sophisticated, featuring a custom-molded carbon fiber exterior and an internal structure crafted via laser cutting.
Powering the aircraft is a 250N jet engine equipped with a specialized nozzle manufactured through 3D-printing in titanium.
Salvo shared video evidence of the flight, noting that three of these Reaper units now stand as the fastest small jet-powered drones in the world.
According to the student, each drone is capable of maintaining this extreme speed for up to four minutes when utilizing a full tank of fuel.
If the 491 mph metric is officially validated, Salvo stands to claim a grand prize of $800,000 for the achievement.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
