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Drones: Small machines, big business

September 24, 2026 · 31 min

Show notes

Drones are no longer simply small flying cameras. They’re being used to fight wars, find people lost at sea, inspect infrastructure and gather intelligence. Evan Davis and guests discuss what’s driving the extraordinary growth of the drone industry. And, as the technology gets cheaper, smarter and longer-range, what does it take to build a successful drone business?

Guests: Mike Armstrong, MD, Stark Defence UK Gemma Alcock, Founder and CEO, Skybound Mark Westwood, Director of Defence and a Professor of Aeronautics, Cranfield University

Production team: Presenter: Evan Davis Producers: Bethan Ashmead, Nick Holland, Sally Abrahams Production Co-ordinator: Katie Morrison Sound Engineer: Neil Churchill Editor: Matt Willis

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