Dawn of the Drone: The Origins of British Drone Technology

About

Daniel Carson-Johns examines the origins of British drone development in the 1920s and 1930s. Drawing on research from his Master's dissertation, he explores the pioneering efforts to develop pilotless aircraft, the technological challenges encountered, and the strategic considerations that drove these early programmes.

Against a backdrop of post-First World War defence reductions, the Ten Year Rule and mounting financial pressures, military planners sought new and economical solutions to emerging challenges. Although many early experiments proved unsuccessful, they helped establish the foundations upon which later drone programmes would be built.

This talk sheds light on a remarkable and often overlooked chapter in the history of British military innovation.