Re: Croatian drone crash last bread. Anon asked if we had drones in 1991.
The US had drones at least as early as 1964. They were D-21 drones mounted on the back of a Blackbird variant called the M-21. The drone was mounted on the back of the (M)othership and in this configuration became the MD-21 when mated with the (D)aughtership. Picture is from the Museum of Flight at Boeing Field. There is a tragic story regarding the unsuccessful launch of a drone which destroyed the drone and the Blackbird. Both crew members were involuntarily ejected from the plane at supersonic speeds (Mach 3+) when the Blackbird disintegrated moments after launching the drone. Both crew members survived the experience but Ray Torrick, the Launch Control Officer died before he could be rescued when his space suit filled with water upon landing in the ocean and he drowned.