Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 11 hrs ago
Georgia Tech Student’s RC Drone Reaches 491 mph in Test Flight
Georgia Tech student Tomas Salvo built a jet-powered RC drone called Reaper.
In a test flight, it reached 491 mph while carrying a 2.6-pound payload.
The drone reportedly maintained that speed for four minutes and reached a height of 6,500 feet.
Salvo is raising money to cover the project’s costs, which he estimates at about $70,000.
The flight was fast, but Reaper still needs another 276 mph to reach the speed of sound.
Salvo hopes to compete for the Boom Prize, which offers $800,000 for the first amateur-built radio-controlled airplane to break the sound barrier.
Another prototype test flight is targeted for late November or early December.
Georgia Tech aerospace engineering student Tomas Salvo shared video of his custom Reaper RC drone reaching 491 mph.
The drone reportedly maintained that speed for four minutes while carrying a 2.6-pound payload.
It reached a maximum height of 6,500 feet and had a reported full-speed range of 31 miles.
Salvo estimates the project will cost about $70,000 and is seeking $50,000 through GoFundMe.
He aims to compete for the Boom Prize for the first amateur-built radio-controlled airplane to break the sound barrier.
- Who
- Georgia Tech aerospace engineering student Tomas Salvo.
- What
- His custom Reaper RC drone reached a reported 491 mph in a test flight.
- When
- The test-flight date is not stated. The next prototype flight was targeted for late November or early December.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Salvo aims to develop the drone and compete for the Boom Prize, which is for the first amateur-built radio-controlled airplane to break the sound barrier.
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- Top speed
- 491 mph (790 km/h)
- Payload
- 2.6 pounds (1.2 kilograms)
- Maximum height
- 6,500 feet
- Estimated project cost
- About $70,000
- GoFundMe goal
- $50,000
- Boom Prize payout
- $800,000: $750,000 in cash and $50,000 in Boom stock
What people are saying
the first amateur-built radio controlled airplane to break the sound barrier
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My college dorm project just broke the world speed record. Reaper hit 790 km/h (491 mph) carrying a 1.2 kg (2.6 lb) payload. These 3 Reapers are now the world’s fastest small jet-powered drones. Each of them can hold that speed for 4 minutes on a full tank. Reaper can be