Predator Drone | Lethal Weapon | 3

American Innovations

Wondery

Steven Johnson, History, Kids & Family, Education For Kids, Science

4.6 • 4.1K Ratings

🗓️ 28 October 2021

⏱️ 47 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

In post 9/11 Afghanistan, the Predator drone proves wildly successful for the military, helping kill a key Al Qaeda leader, and aiding in the rescue of Army Rangers trapped on a mountainside. It's the start of a new era in aerial warfare, as the Predator gains widespread acceptance. But in the years to come, mounting civilian casualties from U.S. drone strikes provoke an outcry from the world... and the Obama Administration faces a moral reckoning.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, Prime Members, you can listen to American Innovations Add Free on Amazon Music, download
0:06.0	the app today.
0:08.1	Join Wondery Plus, an Apple Podcasts or the Wondery App to listen to American Innovations
0:13.7	early and add free.
0:15.6	A listener note, this episode contains adult language and depictions of violence and may
0:20.4	not be suitable for everyone.
0:22.4	Please be advised.
0:32.4	September 11, 2001.
0:34.6	San Diego, California.
0:36.9	It's just before dawn.
0:38.8	Predator Drone Pilot Scott Swanson is asleep in his dark apartment on the phone rings.
0:43.9	It's Jeff Gunny Gway, his partner on the Predator team.
0:47.9	Scott, turn on your TV right now.
0:50.1	The World Trade Center has been hit.
0:51.9	Swanson jumps out of bed and turns on CNN.
0:59.4	He sees the shocking images of fire and black smoke, billowing out from the building's gleaming
1:04.6	steel exteriors.
1:06.6	What the hell?
1:07.6	Two planes hit the towers.
1:08.6	They thought the first one could be an accident, but then a second plane hit the South
1:12.7	Tower at 903, 17 minutes after the first one.
1:15.9	There's only one group that could have done this.
	...

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