On the beach lay a grounded enemy ship. The U.S. Navy decides to test their newest weapon on it. Gliding over the trees toward its target, the drone zooms in. Behind the drone is a tailing plane with a pilot, who is controlling the drone while watching its flight on screen. When the moment arrives, another pilot alerts the first and the drone dives into the wreckage in a brilliant explosion. The new, secret drone is a success. The Navy orders 2,000 more, which will see action before the conflict is over.
No, this isn't the latest Predator or Raptor drone attacking insurgents in the Middle East. The year is 1944 and the new weapon is the great granddaddy of our modern tactical weapons. This is the TDR-1, the first in a long line of military drones. It was made of wood, to circumvent the rationing necessary for the war effort. It utilized state-of-the-art technology to allow for remote control from up to eight miles away. When pushed into service, the drones performed well, hitting 21 out of 46 targets. All without the loss of a single life.
The core problem was not with the grainy image the pilot had to work off of, or the limited eight mile range. Rather, it was the speed of the drones -- which was way too slow. Japanese anti-aircraft guns were able to shoot them down too easily. Citing problems with production, the drone program was cancelled before the 2,000 unit order could be filled, only two months after being placed. Only 200 were built, and of those only 50 saw action. Many were converted to sports planes, most were lost to history. Only one remains: in the U.S. Navy's National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola, Florida.
-Professor Walter
Thanks for the shout out to The Museum of Naval Aviation. As a Pensacolan, I am very proud of it. I'm by no means a military buff - my history interests are more toward ball gowns and tea services - but I love the MNA. fascinating displays, including an amazing exhibit about the Hanoi Hilton, where so many Navy pilots were held. If you haven't been, you need to!!!
Posted by: Romancemama | 08/18/2011 at 06:49 AM
Thanks! I am always glad to point out a good resource for history buffs like me. I haven't been, but I will be in Florida in November so maybe I will sneak away for a few hours and check it out.
Posted by: Professor Walter | 08/18/2011 at 09:00 AM
Pensacola is only a bit over 2 hours from where we'll be -- maybe less depending on where we stay. I'll have to head out that direction to go to the hospital.
Posted by: The Wife | 08/18/2011 at 02:45 PM