10 Mind-Blowing Military Weapons You Won't Believe Are Real

Did you know the Internet was initially created for military purposes? It's true, and the same applies to cell phones and the Humvee. Many of today’s major technological advancements were first developed for military use before being adapted for civilian life. When it comes to military tech, especially weaponry, the limits of creativity and innovation seem boundless. Some of the weapons in development or already deployed by the U.S. military today appear straight out of science fiction. Yet, despite how outlandish they may seem, these technologies are real or nearly ready to be used in combat zones worldwide.

10. PHASR

Created by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Personnel Halting and Stimulation Response Rifle (PHASR) is a non-lethal weapon designed to confuse and incapacitate enemies instead of killing them. This light-based weapon is intended for use by both military personnel and U.S. law enforcement officers. The PHASR temporarily blinds targets with concentrated laser beams. The alternating wavelengths of these lasers cause disorientation, leaving the affected individuals unable to stand, let alone fight. The best part is that the laser light does not cause any permanent harm to eyesight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DhEssy3NWw Source: YouTube

9. Golf Ball Grenade

Though no longer in use, the V40 fragmentation grenade was employed by the U.S. military from the 1960s until the mid-1980s. Notably small, this grenade was about the size of a golf ball. In fact, soldiers often referred to it as the 'mini frag.' With dimensions of 2.5 inches in height and 1.5 inches in diameter, it was compact but lethal. Despite its miniature design, it still featured a safety pin and lever like a standard grenade. The golf ball grenade had a fatal range of up to five meters and was dangerous up to 300 meters. Eventually, the grenade was phased out due to its size making it hazardous for soldiers, as its short fuse and tiny pins made it prone to accidents and detonations without warning.

http://www.warrelics.eu/forum/ordnance-ammo/v40-grenade-106390/ Source: Warrelics.eu

8. The CornerShot Rifle & Grenade Launcher

One of the most challenging issues soldiers face during combat has always been the ability to shoot and observe from around corners. This is particularly difficult in modern urban warfare. However, a weapon currently used by U.S. troops allows them to see and fire around corners. Named the CornerShot, the weapon comes in two variants—a semi-automatic pistol and a grenade launcher. The weapon features a hinge in the middle, allowing the barrel to pivot left or right, while the handle and trigger remain stationary. It also has a camera that enables soldiers to see their targets around corners. The CornerShot has gained such popularity that it is now in use by military and law enforcement agencies in 15 countries.

http://womenstactical.ning.com/photo/cornershot-2011 Source: Womenstactical.ning.com

7. The Active Denial System

Another non-lethal weapon designed for crowd control, the Active Denial System emits an invisible electromagnetic beam that generates a burning sensation on a person's skin, forcing them to flee. Known as the 'goodbye effect' by military leaders and the 'heat ray' by scientists, this system can heat water molecules in a person's skin to 130 degrees Fahrenheit from a distance of 500 yards. Despite its controversial nature and some calling it a form of torture, the Active Denial System has proven highly effective. Experts believe it will eventually be deployed alongside other non-lethal crowd control tools such as tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets.

http://atomictoasters.com/2011/03/active-denial-systems-make-me-hot/ Source: Atomictoasters.com

6. Digital Revolver

The Armatix Digital Revolver has the appearance of a gadget from a science fiction movie, and a version of it even appeared in a recent James Bond film. This cutting-edge handgun features a digital safety system that can only be deactivated if the user is wearing a special wristwatch which sends an unlock signal to the firearm. The wristwatch itself only becomes operational after it is unlocked via the user’s fingerprint, ensuring that only the owner can fire the gun. This makes the weapon immune to being used by thieves or anyone else, as it won’t function without the authorized wearer. Experts in firearms consider this approach to be a step forward in gun safety. The future adoption of this digital revolver remains uncertain.

http://ca.complex.com/pop-culture/2012/05/10-crazy-high-tech-weapons/armatix-digital-revolver Source: Ca.complex.com

5. The Railgun

The U.S. Navy is working on an electromagnetic railgun capable of firing a projectile faster than the speed of sound. Known officially as the 8 Megajoule Electromagnetic Railgun, this shipboard weapon can reach speeds of Mach 8, which is eight times the speed of sound or 5,000 miles per hour. What would this weapon be used for, you may wonder? The Navy intends to use it to protect warships, as well as an anti-aircraft and anti-missile weapon. However, the Railgun is so powerful that it could even launch a spacecraft into orbit. It could also strike an entire battlefield from offshore. Fun fact: the Railgun is powered by a device called a 'Flux Capacitor,' which was famously used to power the DeLorean time machine in the movie Back to the Future. It's a clear example of science meeting fiction.

http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/02/08/navys-new-mach-7-cannon-could-be-a-game-changer.aspx Source: Fool.com

4. Quantum Stealth

Do you remember the movie Predator? The Predator used stealth technology to render itself invisible, blending seamlessly into the jungle environment. As the Predator moved, it appeared as though the jungle itself was shifting. Well, that very technology is in the advanced stages of development by the U.S. military. Known as Quantum Stealth, this technology bends light around an object, rendering it invisible to the naked eye. The visible results of Quantum Stealth are truly astonishing. The goal of this technology is to provide soldiers with invisible cloaks, enabling them to infiltrate enemy territory undetected, perform surprise attacks, and even carry out assassinations. It may sound far-fetched, but this technology is real and the future is now.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/11/quantum-stealth-invisibility-hyperstealth_n_2277394.html Source: Huffingtonpost.ca

The U.S. Special Operations Command, in collaboration with several universities and high-tech companies, has developed the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS), a wearable robotic exoskeleton for soldiers in combat. The suit allows soldiers to endure bullets and fire, track their vital signs, and see in low light. Dubbed the 'Iron Man Suit' by the Pentagon, there are even rumors that the next version will feature liquid metal capable of solidifying into an impenetrable suit on command. The TALOS suit is also expected to enhance each soldier's strength, accomplishing nearly everything except flight. Prototypes have already been created, and the first generation of suits is expected to be used by American soldiers in 2018. The future of this technology is still unfolding.

With the help of several universities and high-tech companies, the U.S. Special Operations Command has developed a Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) for soldiers to wear in combat. It is essentially a robotic exoskeleton that soldiers wear when fighting in a combat zone. It enables soldiers to withstand bullets and fire, monitor their vital signs, and see in the dark. The Pentagon has dubbed the project the “Iron Man Suit.” There are even reports that the next generation combat suit will be made of liquid metal that can solidify into an impenetrable suit on command. The suits are also expected to increase each soldier’s strength and do pretty much everything but fly. Several prototypes of the suit have been developed, and a first-generation of the suit is expected to be operational with American soldiers in 2018. Where we go from here is anyone’s guess.

http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/socom-seeks-talos-tactical-assault-light-operator-suit/ Source: Defensemedianetwork.com

2. Sentient Unmanned Vehicles

Inspired by The Terminator, the U.S. military is developing sentient unmanned vehicles that think autonomously, much like their human creators. Over the last 20 years, unmanned vehicles—or drones—have become a common tool for the military, with uses ranging from aerial surveillance and bomb disposal to undersea mini-submarines. Until recently, these vehicles were piloted remotely by soldiers or technicians from a safe distance. However, the next generation of unmanned vehicles is being designed to operate independently, without human control. Military scientists are pushing artificial intelligence further than ever before, and soon, these robots and unmanned military vehicles may be capable of making life-and-death decisions on their own. While military leaders argue that this development will protect soldiers, critics warn it could be akin to granting robots the power to kill.

http://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/australia-selects-kestrel-mti/ Source: Shephardmedia.com

1. Vomit Gun

You might recall the ‘sick sticks’ from the movie Minority Report, which caused anyone they touched to instantly vomit. Well, a real-world version of that concept has been developed. In 2007, the U.S. Navy contracted Invocon to create a weapon that uses radio frequencies to disrupt a person’s equilibrium and hearing. The result is the Vomit Gun, a device that induces severe motion sickness in its target, causing them to vomit. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Department collaborated with Intelligent Optical Systems to develop an LED Incapacitator, which uses rapidly pulsing lights to induce dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Both weapons are considered non-lethal tools for incapacitating individuals, blurring the lines between science fiction and reality.

http://www.sciencebuzz.org/blog/shining_light_on_the_dark_side_light_saber_device_can_disab Source: Sciencebuzz.org