A jet-powered drone built in the dormitory of a U.S. university broke the world record for the fastest jet-powered aircraft, according to a social media post by the Georgia Tech aerospace engineering student Tomas Salvo.

​The aircraft, which he named Reaper, hit a speed of 491 miles per hour (790km/hr) and carried a payload of 2.6 pounds (1.2 Kg).

​The radio-controlled (RC) drone climbed a maximum height of 6500 feet, covering a total range of 31 miles at the full speed and maintained the flight at that speed for four minutes.

​He built three such models, and each of them achieved the record speed, Salvo said, claiming them to be “the world’s fastest small jet-powered drones.”

​The engineer added the aircraft he built can be launched either from a truck or railway track, reaching peak heights in less than 20 seconds.

​”Reaper can be rail- or truck-launched, climb to 2,000 m (6,600 ft) in under 20 seconds, then fly for 50 km (31 mi) at full speed,” he posted on his social media account.

​In a video posted online, Salvo, along with two others, was seen demonstrating the launch from an open field, with screeching sounds heard in the background as the aircraft engine ignited before giving it a final thrust for the launch.

​Built using 3D-printing, his aircraft has a titanium nozzle on its engine that replaces the stock nozzle. This allows the engine to sit comfortably much further forward and improves the center of gravity without adding extra weight in the frontal region.

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