German drone maker Quantum Systems announced that its battery-powered experimental drone reached 483 mph (777 km/h) during a record attempt. The flight could mark a new speed milestone for battery-electric drones, though the result has not yet been officially confirmed.
The company is developing technologies for uncrewed aircraft, including systems intended to counter fast-moving aerial threats.
The latest test also provides an opportunity to evaluate the performance and limitations of electric propulsion at high speeds.
Quantum Systems said the lessons learned from the attempt will inform its ongoing drone development.
Quantum Systems said its battery-powered Apex Recordhunter experimental aircraft reached 483 mph during a speed record attempt. The result exceeds the speed the company reported during an earlier test in June, when the drone reached 434 mph (699 km/h) in straight and level flight.
The latest run has not yet established an official record, as the aircraft must complete a return flight to account for wind effects. However, the test provides further data on the performance of battery-electric propulsion systems at high speeds.
The Apex Recordhunter was developed by Quantum Systems’ experimental N3XT team in Germany over approximately a year. Rather than serving as an operational aircraft, it functions as a technology demonstrator, allowing engineers to test propulsion, energy management, and high-speed flight performance.
During its June test, the Apex reached 434 mph, a figure Quantum Systems described as an unofficial world-best for a battery-electric flying object. The company said the aircraft used special battery cells developed by a Porsche subsidiary, although it has not disclosed detailed specifications for the battery pack, motor, or propulsion system.
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