Australian Engineer's Drone Hits 411 MPH in Speed Duel

A friendly rivalry between drone engineers on opposite sides of the world just shattered the 400-mph barrier with machines powered entirely by batteries.

Australian aerospace engineer Benjamin Biggs clocked his custom-built Blackbird drone at 411 mph across the Australian outback. That beats the current official record of 408 mph set just weeks earlier by South African father-son team Mike and Luke Bell.

The speed duel started in May 2024 when the Bells hit 300 mph with their Peregrine 2 drone. Since then, the teams have traded records at a dizzying pace, with each new design pushing battery technology and aerodynamics further than anyone thought possible.

Biggs ran two passes following Guinness guidelines, hitting 395 mph downwind and 429 mph upwind for an average of 411 mph. The record remains unofficial because certified drone pilots couldn't reach the remote testing site in time, but the performance speaks for itself.

The secret lies in pushing batteries and motors to their absolute limits without melting them. Biggs overcharges his battery cells slightly beyond their standard voltage, letting the motors spin at 34,000 RPM while staying relatively cool at 169 degrees.

His Blackbird design places motors at the front in a "puller" configuration, so propellers slice through clean air instead of turbulent airflow from the frame. Custom-wound motors connect directly through ultra-slim arms to speed controllers, eliminating unnecessary weight and drag.

Why This Inspires

This rivalry shows how innovation accelerates when talented people push each other forward. What started as a personal challenge has become a masterclass in electric propulsion, with each breakthrough teaching engineers worldwide how to squeeze more performance from lithium-ion batteries.

The teams aren't working in secret labs with unlimited budgets. They're sharing their designs online, documenting every success and failure, and inspiring hobbyists and professionals alike to rethink what's possible with electric power.

Every iteration brings new insights about battery management, aerodynamics, and motor cooling that could eventually improve electric vehicles, delivery drones, and aviation technology. The knowledge gained from flying a 411-mph quadcopter in dense air at low altitude pushes boundaries that benefit far more than just speed records.

The Bells are likely already planning their response, and Biggs still needs to make his record official with the proper witnesses. Either way, watching these engineers celebrate each other's wins while competing to go faster next time reminds us that the best rivalries bring out everyone's best work.