Student Tomas Salvo developed the Reaper, a jet-powered drone assembled in a college dorm. The aircraft reached a speed of 790 km/h, or 491 mph, while carrying a 1.2 kg payload. The drone features a custom carbon fiber exterior and a 3D-printed titanium engine nozzle.
The Reaper is designed to climb to 2,000 meters in under 20 seconds and maintain top speed for 4 minutes. It can fly up to 50 km at full speed and is capable of being launched via rail or truck. Salvo aims to increase the top speed to over 800 km/h through future optimizations.
The project is a contender for the Boom Prize, which offers a total value of $800 000, consisting of $750 000 in cash and $50 000 in stock. To win, an aircraft must break the sound barrier, use air-breathing propulsion, land intact, and complete two flights in a single day.
Eligibility for the Boom Prize is restricted to individuals or teams without corporate, venture capital, or government backing. Salvo has utilized crowdfunding to support the project, raising $20 000 and seeking an additional $50 000. The drone currently holds no official Guinness record.
