Facebook kills plans to build massive internet drones

Facebook has quietly killed its plans to build massive drones that beam high-speed internet across the globe following'significant internal turmoil' at the company. The so-called Aquila project had twice successfully flown prototype drones but is now being scrapped in favour of new partnerships with firms like Airbus. It follows the announcement that Andrew Cox, head of Aquila project, and Martin Gomez, Facebook's director of aeronautical platforms, have both resigned. The decision means Facebook is shutting down a facility in Bridgwater, Somerset, that had been helping to build the technology. Sixteen people have lost their jobs as a result of the closure.