Project: NEX250
Aim:
To design and fly the fastest sub‑250 g drone in the world, proving that lightweight engineering can achieve extreme performance.
Goals:
- Weight: Stay under 250 g of take-off weight
- Speed: Exceed 300 km/h in controlled test
- Flight Time: 1-2 minutes at cruise speeds
- Data: Collect and analyse drone data for optimization and future projects
- Learning: Use the drone as a learning platform for engineering
Roadmap:
- Phase 1 — Design & Funding (current)
- CAD modeling, component research, and securing resources.
- Phase 2 — Prototype Build
- Frame assembly and electronics integration.
- Phase 3 — Testing & Iteration
- Hover tests, tuning, and weight optimization.
- Phase 4 — High‑Speed Trials
- Controlled runs to push toward 300+ km/h.
- Phase 5 — Refinement
- Final adjustments and internal documentation.
Specs (Subject to change)
- Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW): ≤ 250 g
- Target Top Speed: ~300 km/h (≈ 83 m/s)
- Dimensions: ~120 × 35 × 30 mm (L×W×H)
- Frame Material: Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP)
- Shell Material: Lightweight PLA (LW‑PLA), 3D‑printed fairings
- Motors: 1404–1604 brushless outrunners (~10 g each)
- Motor KV Rating: 3500–4500 KV (optimized for 4S LiHV)
- Propellers: 3.5–4.0” bi/tri‑blade, polycarbonate or carbon fiber
- Battery: 4S LiHV LiPo, 660–720 mAh (~50–70 g)
- Flight Controller: F4/F7 AIO stack (~8–10 g)
- ESC: 20–35A BLHeli_32, 4‑in‑1
- Camera Module: 10–16 g (DJI O4 Lite / Insta360 Go2)
- Gimbal/Damping: 2‑axis mechanical or TPU isolation (~8 g)
- Receiver: ExpressLRS 2.4 GHz Nano RX (~2 g)
- VTX: 25–800 mW adjustable, SmartAudio/IRC Tramp (~5 g)
- GPS (optional): BN‑220/M8N (~6 g)
- Landing Pads: TPU micro skids (~2 g)