Georgia Tech student pushes custom jet drone to 491 mph

The project is an ambitious exercise in high-stakes engineering. To reach his current speeds, Salvo has poured an estimated $70,000 into the prototype, with $40,000 dedicated solely to engines and testing. Beyond the raw speed, the drone demonstrated impressive endurance, maintaining its velocity for four minutes while reaching an altitude of 6,500 feet and covering 31 miles.

To bridge the gap between his current performance and the supersonic threshold, Salvo must find an additional 276 mph. He is currently funding the development through a GoFundMe campaign, which has already cleared $16,000 toward his $50,000 goal. Contributors offering $5,000 or more gain access to in-person test flights, a unique incentive for those backing his run at the Boom Prize, established by Boom Supersonic CEO Blake Scholl. The next trial for the Reaper M1 is slated for a window between late November and early December.