Georgia Tech Student Develops Record-Breaking Jet-Powered Drone
An experimental aircraft reaches 491 mph, sparking interest from defense officials and competition organizers.
1Record-Breaking Speed Achievement
Tomas Salvo, an aerospace engineering student at Georgia Tech, claims his homemade Reaper drone reached a top speed of 491 mph. This speed, if independently verified, would surpass the previous record of 465 mph set in 2017. The aircraft successfully carried a 2.6-pound payload during its fastest recorded test flight.
2Independent Engineering Process
Salvo began the Reaper project in February 2025, designing and assembling three operational prototypes while living in university housing. The aircraft utilizes a 250-newton turbojet engine paired with a 3D-printed titanium exhaust nozzle. Its structure combines molded carbon-fiber sections with laser-cut internal components to ensure both durability and high-speed flight performance.
3Operational Flight Capabilities
The drone is designed to launch from a truck-mounted rail, reaching an altitude of 6,600 feet within 20 seconds. Salvo reports that the system can maintain its top speed for four minutes, covering a distance of 31 miles. He describes the project as a repeatable system, having achieved consistent results across multiple trials.
4Personal Financial Investment
The entire development effort cost approximately $13,000, which Salvo funded personally while maintaining his status as a university student. Despite the modest budget, the project demonstrates advanced engineering capabilities. Salvo intends to continue refining the aircraft, with a long-term goal of exceeding 500 mph in future high-speed flight testing sessions.
5Defense Department Interest
The project gained significant attention from Prescott Paulin, Director of Industry Engagement at the Department of War’s Research and Engineering office. Paulin, who leads mission capabilities for the Pentagon CTO’s team, publicly invited the student to visit the department. This interaction highlights potential government interest in amateur-developed, high-speed aerial technologies.
6Boom Supersonic Challenge
Salvo is eyeing the $800,000 prize offered by Boom Supersonic for the first amateur to achieve sustained supersonic flight. The competition requires a radio-controlled, fixed-wing aircraft to exceed Mach 1 for at least five seconds. Entrants must perform this feat twice on the same day using the same aircraft to qualify.
7Strict Competition Rules
The Boom Prize rules explicitly disqualify rocket propulsion and projects linked to aerospace businesses or professional engineers. Participants must be US citizens or legal residents, ensuring the challenge remains strictly amateur. A panel including SpaceX co-founder Tom Mueller and former Boeing CEO Phil Condit will judge all official attempts through 2030.
8Future Performance Goals
While the Reaper’s current 491 mph performance is impressive, it remains below the supersonic threshold required for the Boom Prize. Salvo plans to conduct further flights to refine the aircraft's aerodynamics and engine efficiency. His progress represents a notable intersection of student-led innovation and the broader pursuit of extreme aerial speeds.