Buzz
At times, weapons designers grow weary of crafting standard, mundane firearms and explosives, opting instead to create something far more... unique. The outcomes are often as mind-blowing as they are absurd.
The following list showcases 10 weapon prototypes that came to life when engineers threw caution to the wind, abandoning notions of subtlety and practicality.
10. Panzer VIII Maus
There’s a touch of irony in the naming of the Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus (“Mouse”), as its appearance bears little resemblance to the small rodent. At an astonishing 188 metric tons, it still holds the title of the largest armored fighting vehicle ever built.
Its maximum speed was a mere 22 kilometers per hour (14 mph), but with armor up to 220 millimeters (8.7 in) thick, it could afford to move slowly. When the massive machine finally reached its target, the combination of its immense weight and powerful 128-millimeter (5 in) main gun would surely crush anything in its path. With such a weapon, the Nazis must have believed they were unstoppable, right?
Well, Hitler certainly thought so, as he was perhaps the tank’s most vocal supporter. In reality, however, the Maus had several significant issues that hindered its success. For one, a heavy-duty engine was required to move the enormous vehicle, and it was a terrible gas guzzler. Its immense weight made it incapable of crossing bridges, and its size would have made it an easy target for Allied bombers.
Of the original 150 units ordered, only two were completed before Hitler abandoned the project.
9. Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
One thing you can't accuse the Nazis of is lacking boldness. They were ready to experiment with any wild idea if they believed it might help them secure victory in the war.
Sadly for them, the Komet only became operational in the war's final year—far too late to shift the tide in their favor. Then again, considering how absurd this craft was, it’s entirely possible that even if it had arrived sooner, it wouldn’t have made a difference.
On the bright side, the 163 was a rocket-powered plane during an era when most aircraft were still using propellers. So it did have that going for it. But that was about the extent of its merits.
For one, the aircraft was inherently dangerous, as vacuums could form in the fuel, causing it to explode when activated. The fuel itself was a mix of two highly corrosive substances that would spontaneously combust upon contact, whether intended or not.
Once airborne, the 163 could only stay in flight for eight minutes with its limited fuel supply, severely restricting its operational time. Additionally, it flew too quickly for its primary guns to be effective. Landing was a perilous task, as its problematic landing gear often caused the Me 163 to flip over, leading to frequent explosions.
8. Northrop XP-79
Let’s shift focus away from the Third Reich for a moment, as they weren’t the only ones experimenting with bizarre weaponry. Enter the Northrop XP-79, a so-called 'bomber-rammer' designed to do exactly what its name suggests. The XP-79 was built to smash enemy bombers out of the sky using the reinforced edges of its wings. The cockpit featured armored glass to protect the pilot during the collision.
The XP-79 never made it past the testing phase, but not for the reason you might expect. During its first and only flight, the pilot lost control, spiraled into an irrecoverable spin, and crashed. Harry Crosby, the test pilot, tragically died after being struck by the aircraft while attempting an emergency escape. The program was promptly canceled.
7. Antonov A-40
A flying tank might sound like the kind of outlandish idea a child or perhaps Hideo Kojima would dream up, but that didn’t stop Oleg Antonov. Oleg sought to create a way to get a battle-ready tank onto the battlefield without the risk of losing a plane to enemy fire.
When simply dropping tanks from planes and having their crews parachute to them proved impractical, Oleg came up with a simple solution. Attach glider wings to the tank and let it soar gently to the ground.
However, as you can imagine, the heavy weight of a tank posed a significant challenge for flight. To get the vehicle airborne, its weapons, fuel, and armor had to be removed. To its credit, the test pilot reported a 'smooth' landing and even managed to drive it back to headquarters. Sadly, this wasn't enough, and the project was ultimately abandoned.
6. SLAM (Project Pluto)
The Supersonic Low Altitude Missile (SLAM) was a weapon so extreme, it could easily be called the most outrageous in a list of already insane armaments. Conceived as a third method of retaliation against the Soviets in the event of a nuclear conflict, the SLAM was a nuclear weapon powered by nuclear energy.
A nuclear-powered ramjet would superheat the air it compressed as the missile flew, theoretically giving it limitless range. Although it carried a single nuclear warhead, it was also designed to carry multiple smaller nuclear bombs. On its final approach to the target, the missile would drop its nuclear payload before self-destructing at the target location.
There were many reasons the project was eventually scrapped. One of the main issues was that simply testing the missile would be impossible. The unshielded nuclear reactor it relied on would make any land it flew over dangerously radioactive.
If the radiation didn’t take care of things, the shock wave likely would, as it was believed that anyone caught beneath it would be killed. Additionally, the area where the missile landed would become a nuclear disaster zone. Eventually, the government concluded that ICBMs could accomplish the same mission far more effectively, leading to the cancellation of the project.
5. Railguns
If you don’t already appreciate the immense power of magnetic energy, you’ll certainly gain a new respect for it after witnessing a railgun in action. Using the power of electromagnetism, these weapons can accelerate a projectile to speeds exceeding Mach 7.
The projectiles hit with more destructive force than a 12.7-centimeter (5 in) naval gun and at a greater range. Since their ammunition is smaller than traditional shells, more rounds can be stored, and they pose no risk of exploding if struck by enemy fire. Sounds like an ideal weapon, right?
Well, not exactly. The immense heat generated by each shot rapidly distorts the rails of the gun, severely limiting the number of full-powered shots it can fire. It also demands an enormous amount of energy to operate. As it stands, only two naval ships possess the necessary power to fire it. Furthermore, aiming the shots is difficult, meaning a guidance system would be required to achieve accuracy.
However, unlike the other entries on this list, the railgun is still under development by militaries around the world. So there’s a strong possibility that this one might actually become a reality.
4. Convair X-6
Nuclear-powered vehicles are highly desirable for military use, as they offer the potential for extended operational periods without refueling. Unfortunately, radiation is a capricious force, and one must be cautious of its tendency to cause as much harm as it does good.
Just ask the engineers who designed the Convair X-6. The concept was a nuclear-powered strategic bomber capable of staying in the air for weeks without refueling.
To safeguard the crew, the aircraft would require 12 tons of rubber and lead to protect the nuclear reactor. Despite a few successful test flights, the program was ultimately canceled. (The Convair NB-36H, shown above, remains the only U.S. aircraft to ever carry a nuclear reactor.)
3. Boeing YAL-1
With the advent of ballistic missiles, nations rushed to develop ways to defend against these threats. Boeing's solution was the YAL-1, an aircraft equipped with a chemical laser designed to destroy missiles. During its testing, it successfully shot down two test missiles.
However, the laser was prohibitively expensive and demanded an enormous amount of electricity to function. The aircraft carrying the system was also bulky and cumbersome, making it an easy target for enemy interceptors. Ultimately, the project was abandoned, and the plane was dismantled for parts.
2. Panjandrum
Shifting back to World War II and the Allied forces, the Panjandrum was an odd contraption consisting of two rocket-powered wheels propelling a cart packed with explosives. Its purpose was to be used against coastal fortifications.
The main issue: once aimed at a target and the fuse lit, the Panjandrum’s destination was entirely up to fate. Additionally, the rockets sometimes detached and veered off in unpredictable directions.
Following a disastrous launch that nearly resulted in the weapon causing harm to a crowd of VIP spectators, the project was ultimately abandoned.
1. Project Babylon
Third World dictatorships often resemble the annoying younger siblings of their more developed counterparts. Whatever big brother has, they want too. This certainly applies to weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Saddam Hussein, in particular, had an intense desire for WMDs and sought to acquire both nuclear and chemical weapons at various points. But Project Babylon aimed to take things even further.
Gerald Bull, the creator and leader of the project, envisioned a ‘supergun’ that could launch satellites into orbit. However, Saddam had different plans. The dictator intended to use the 156-meter (512 ft) barrel to launch projectiles farther than the Scud missiles he already had in his arsenal.
However, the sheer size and weight of the gun meant it would have had to be mounted into the side of a hill, rendering it impossible to aim. Its massive dimensions would have also made it an obvious target for enemy forces.
The project was ultimately scrapped when Bull was killed, potentially by agents from Mossad.
