Drone Hits 491mph

A college student, Tomas Salvo, has unofficially broken the world record for the fastest jet-powered drone with a speed of 491 mph. The previous record was 465 mph.

The drone, called Reaper, was built in Salvo's dorm room at Georgia Tech. It features a 250N jet engine with a titanium 3D-printed nozzle and weighs 11 pounds. The Reaper cost $13,000 to build.

Salvo is aiming to win the $800,000 Boom Prize, which consists of $750,000 cash and $50,000 Boom stock. The prize is sponsored by Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl. To win, Salvo must meet certain conditions, including passing Mach 1 for at least 5 seconds while climbing or level, and landing intact.

The Reaper's achievement is all the more impressive given that it has a smaller engine than some of its competitors. For example, the Kingchaser project, which is also aiming to break the world record, has a 300N engine, but only achieved a test flight speed of 273 mph.

## Why it matters The Boom Prize is not just about winning a large sum of money, but also about pushing the boundaries of what is possible with jet-powered drones. The prize is open to individuals or teams, but not corporations or people backed by venture capitalists or government funding. This means that the competition is focused on garage hobbyists and enthusiasts, rather than large companies with significant resources.

The Reaper's achievement is a significant milestone in the development of jet-powered drones, and could have implications for a range of industries, from aerospace to defense. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even faster and more advanced drones in the future.

## What happens next Salvo will need to officially record his achievement with Guinness in order to claim the world record. He will also need to meet the conditions of the Boom Prize in order to be eligible for the $800,000 award. With the Reaper's impressive speed and advanced design, Salvo is well-placed to achieve his goal and take home the prize.