CRAZY MILITARY WEAPONS THAT SOUND FAKE BUT ARE TOTALLY REAL
Throughout its history, the U.S. military has developed weapons that are advanced, precise, and often remarkably effective. But every now and then, it has also tested ideas so strange and unexpected that they sound almost unbelievable.
Some of these crazy military weapons might make you wonder, “Is this for real?”—yet they were genuine projects that received funding, testing, and serious attention from military officials. Over the years, countless attempts have been made to push the boundaries of military technology, and with today’s resources, the possibilities are even broader.
If bizarre military experiments fascinate you, here’s a spoiler: some of these wild ideas failed spectacularly… but others worked surprisingly well.
Project X-Ray Bat Bombs
Introducing one of the strangest military experiments ever attempted: Project X-Ray. During World War II, Lytle S. Adams—an American dentist—proposed using bats to carry tiny incendiary bombs. Yes, you read that right: bat bombs.
Why bats? At the time, many Japanese buildings were made of wood. Adams believed that if bats carrying small firebombs were released at dawn, they would naturally roost in attics and under rooftops. Once the timers ignited, the resulting fires would spread rapidly throughout the wooden structures.
Surprisingly, the early tests showed promise. But during one trial in New Mexico, the bats escaped and accidentally set parts of the Carlsbad Army Air Field on fire. After that mishap—and with the atomic bomb program taking priority—the project was officially canceled in 1944.
The Electromagnetic Railgun
Next up is a weapon that almost sounds like science fiction: a gun that doesn’t use gunpowder at all. Yes, really—no gunpowder. Instead, the U.S. Navy spent years trying to create an electric gun capable of launching metal projectiles at unbelievable speeds. This experimental weapon, developed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), was called the Electromagnetic Railgun.
The goal was ambitious. The Navy wanted a weapon that could hit targets more than 100 miles away and fire projectiles at over seven times the speed of sound. The concept worked by sending electricity through two long metal rails, generating a massive magnetic field. This force propelled a metal slug forward at extreme velocity—no explosives needed.
But there was a major problem: every time the gun fired, the stress was so intense that it damaged the barrel and other components. Despite years of testing and millions of dollars in funding, the Navy ultimately paused the project in 2021 because the technology wasn’t durable enough for real-world use.
The Kettering Bug
Drones are common today, but during World War I, nothing like modern unmanned aircraft existed. Yet in 1917, an engineer named Charles Kettering—working for General Motors—designed a remarkable flying weapon called the Kettering Bug.
Nicknamed simply the “Bug,” it was one of the earliest attempts at an unmanned aerial vehicle. In other words, it didn’t need a pilot or crew on board. Once launched, it flew entirely on its own.
The Bug was built like a small biplane with a wooden frame. It measured about 12 feet 6 inches long, had a 14-foot 11.5-inch wingspan, stood 4 feet 8 inches tall, and weighed roughly 530 pounds when fully loaded. Its explosive warhead alone weighed 180 pounds.
The U.S. created the Bug because it needed a way to strike German trenches without risking pilots. At the time, flying was still new and dangerous, so an unmanned weapon offered a safer alternative. However, the war ended before the Bug could ever be deployed in combat.
Vomit Gun (LED Incapacitator)
Next up, the Vomit Gun. To start, this is a non-lethal weapon that has never been made for the U.S. military. It isn’t a gun, but dare to try a guess… It’s actually just a flashlight. But it’s not just any simple flashlight.
This weapon is called the LED Incapacitator. This gun was developed in the mid-2000s by Intelligent Optical Systems for the Department of Homeland Security.
The ultimate goal of this weapon was to stop dangerous suspects without shooting them, using only the quick change of LED patterns in different colors to confuse the brain’s visual processing. This resulted in dizziness, nausea, and, of course, vomiting.
This weapon worked, but it wasn’t used everywhere due to limitations. Plus, the vomiting effect wasn't actually good for officers.
These Weapons Are Creative but Crazy!
In the end, these experimental military weapons were undeniably creative—and many of them actually worked—yet they ultimately proved too impractical to continue. Still, they show just how far the U.S. military is willing to go when searching for new solutions. Creativity has always been a strength.
While some of these unusual weapons were difficult to maintain or refine—like the railgun—they each contributed something to the evolution of modern technology. Together, they remind us that military innovation often begins with bold, unconventional ideas.
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BY ALLISON KIRSCHBAUM
Veteran, Military History & Culture Writer at VeteranLife
Navy Veteran
Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
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Allison Kirschbaum is a Navy Veteran and an experienced historian. She has seven years of experience creating compelling digital content across diverse industries, including Military, Defense, History, SaaS, MarTech, FinTech, financial services, insurance, and manufacturing. She brings this expertis...
