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The ongoing threat of the German V-1 during World War II prompted the U.S. Navy
to develop UAVs that could destroy V-1 launch sites. In 1944, the Navy's
Special Air Unit One (SAU-1) converted PB4Y-1 Liberators and B-17s to carry
25,000 pounds of explosives and fly by remote control using television guidance
systems. The planes, known respectively as the PB4Y-1 AND BQ-7, took off with a two-man crew, who would fly the plane to
2,000 feet and set a course for V-1 launch sites in France before bailing out.
Though dangerous, these operations were successful in knocking out V-1s and
mark the first time a UAV was used against another UAV.
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