# Georgia Tech Student Achieves 491 mph with Experimental Drone

- Published: 2026-11-09 06:15 UTC
- Section: Sky & Space › Drones
- Tags: drone, speed, Georgia Tech, Thomas Salvo, experimental aircraft
- URL: https://realtech.media/news/rt-87bcf4e6ae2e4d4b0daa5f82_georgia_tech_student/

**Thomas Salvo's Reaper drone claims a speed of 491 mph, potentially breaking a record set in 2017.**

![Georgia Tech Student Achieves 491 mph with Experimental Drone](https://realtech.media/media/2026/11/11f0241d3b38d385.png)
*pravda.ru*

Thomas Salvo, a student from the Georgia Institute of Technology's aerospace engineering program, has presented his experimental drone, Reaper, claiming to reach a speed of 491 mph. If verified independently, this achievement would surpass the previous record of 465 mph set by German pilot Nils Herbrich in 2017. Salvo asserts that his drone can maintain this speed for four minutes on a full tank while carrying a payload of 2.6 pounds (approximately 1.2 kilograms). 

The physical limitations faced in creating high-speed small aircraft involve aerodynamic stability and thermal stress at extreme speeds, especially with limited budget and manufacturing capabilities. Salvo addressed these challenges by developing a turbojet engine with a thrust of 250 Newtons. A critical component is the exhaust system: a titanium nozzle made using 3D printing, which ensures proper jet formation and minimizes pressure loss. The outer shell is constructed from molded carbon fiber sections, providing necessary rigidity at a low weight, while internal components are created through laser cutting. 

The project cost approximately $13,000, funded personally by Salvo. He reports having created three working prototypes that demonstrate comparable results, indicating the reproducibility of the system rather than a one-off success. The claimed range at maximum speed is 31 miles (50 kilometers). 

A significant aspect of evaluating these results is that the data is based on the developer's statements and materials published on social media. While Salvo claims the system is "reliable and repeatable," and mentions a response from Prescott Pollin, Director of Industry Engagement at the U.S. Department of Defense's research division, no public independent audit or verification from official bodies, such as the Guinness World Records, is provided in the materials. 

The designation of "supersonic" or record status remains conditional until independent verification occurs. The claimed speed of 491 mph (approximately 790 km/h) is still below the speed of sound (Mach 1) at corresponding altitudes and does not meet the criteria for the Boom Prize contest, which offers $750,000 for achieving supersonic flight. Nevertheless, achieving such speed with an amateur jet built in a student dormitory using 3D printing and makeshift assembly methods demonstrates a high level of attainability in the field of small aviation.

## Sources

1. [pravda.ru](https://www.pravda.ru/news/technolgies/2439797-record-breaking-student-drone)

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Source: RealTech, realtech.media — https://realtech.media/news/rt-87bcf4e6ae2e4d4b0daa5f82_georgia_tech_student/