Arch-rivals Facebook and Google are taking opposite approaches to drones. While both have been engaged in some high profile developments of drones and other futuristic communications platforms, Facebook is abandoning its Project Aquila and will work with drone partners in futures, while Google is turning two of its experimental programs into autonomous commercial businesses. Facebook started the development of the Aquila solar-powered high altitude platform station (HAPS) in 2014, aiming to use it for air-to-ground millimeter wave wireless that could deliver Internet connectivity directly, or backhaul a small cell. But having proved the concept, and done much – along with Google – to push communications drones out of the sci-fi realm, Facebook says it will rely on partners such as…