Some technologies have been so advanced and secretive throughout military history that their true potential remains a mystery. These hidden weapons were developed to alter the course of warfare but ultimately disappeared due to their impracticality, secrecy, or the sheer danger they presented. Here’s a list of some of the most fascinating yet forgotten military tech and weapons that vanished.
30. The Kettering Bug – 1916
The Kettering Bug was one of the earliest attempts at creating an uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV). It was a small, early drone developed by the U.S. during World War I and was designed to fly over enemy lines and release explosives. Though successful in tests, the technology was forgotten after the war as newer developments took precedence.
29. The “Flying Zeppelin” Torpedo – 1917
In World War I, Britain developed a unique weapon—a flying torpedo launched from a Zeppelin to target enemy ships. Designed for high-altitude deployment, the concept was groundbreaking but ultimately abandoned as impractical. Advancements in naval warfare and more reliable attack methods rendered the project obsolete before widespread use.
28. The Waverley “Death Machine” – 1920s
The Waverley “Death Machine” was an experimental British invention in the early 1920s, designed as a long-range artillery system capable of launching explosive projectiles across vast distances. Early tests proved it difficult to control and too dangerous for actual use, leading to its discontinuation.
27. The Wunderwaffe – 1940s
During WWII, Nazi scientists developed several “wonder weapons” or “Wunderwaffe” designed to turn the tide of war in Germany’s favor. These included advanced jet fighters, rocket launchers, and even theoretical “time machines.” Most of these weapons were never fully operational, and the knowledge was lost or destroyed after the war ended.
26. The Tortoise Tank – 1940s
The Tortoise was a British experimental super-heavy tank designed during World War II. Armed with a 32-pounder gun weighing over 80 tons, the tank was nearly impervious to enemy fire. Due to its size and slow speed, it was abandonedbefore it could be used in combat, and only a few prototypes were ever built.
25. The “Ghost Army” Sonic Weapon – 1940s
During WWII, the U.S. created a secret unit known as the “Ghost Army,” using sonic weapons to deceive and confuse enemy troops. These devices emitted loud, disorienting sounds to create the illusion of larger forces. The technology was so classified that it wasn’t revealed to the public until decades after the war.
24. The Nazi Death Ray – 1940s
Developed by Nazi Germany during World War II, the “death ray” was a secret weapon intended to shoot concentrated beams of energy at enemy aircraft. Though the project was never fully realized, the concept of using directed energy was far ahead of its time. The plans vanished after the war, with little remaining proof it was ever functional.
23. The T-34 “Fighting Flail” – 1941
In the midst of WWII, the Soviet Union created a modified T-34 tank fitted with a massive mechanical flail designed to clear minefields. Known as the “fighting flail,” this prototype was used in a limited capacity but was eventually abandoned due to the impracticality of the design in real combat situations.
22. The Goliath Tank – 1942
The Goliath was a German WWII weapon, a small, remote-controlled tank-like device packed with explosives. It was used in limited combat situations but proved highly vulnerable to enemy fire. With advancements in anti-tank technology and the rise of modern mechanized warfare, the Goliath project was abandoned in favor of more advanced designs.
21. The Bat Bomb – 1942
In the early 1940s, the U.S. military developed a bizarre weapon known as the bat bomb. Small incendiary bombs were attached to bats, which were trained to roost in Japanese buildings and start fires. After trials revealed technical flaws, the program was scrapped, and this peculiar weapon became a lost project.
20. The V-3 “Supergun” – 1944
The Nazi V-3 was a supergun capable of firing artillery shells over incredible distances, designed to bombard London from mainland Europe. Though it was never fully operational and faced numerous technical problems, the sheer scope of the V-3’s potential made it a unique piece of lost military technology from WWII.
19. The V-7 Rocket – 1945
This Nazi German project involved an incredibly advanced rocket system designed to target and deliver attacks over great distances. Despite only a few prototypes being built, its potential was immense, and its development signaled the future of rocket technology. However, with the war ending and resources dwindling, the project vanished almost overnight.
18. The Flying Wing (Northrop YB-49) – 1947
The YB-49, developed by Northrop during the late 1940s, was a jet-powered flying wing bomber designed to evade enemy radar. While its groundbreaking design influenced modern stealth technology, it was unstable in flight and ultimately grounded. The YB-49’s full potential remains a lost chapter in aviation history.
17. The Silent Anti-Submarine Aircraft – 1950s
A classified anti-submarine aircraft developed by the U.S. in the 1950s was designed to fly with minimal noise to avoid detection by enemy sonar systems. The aircraft could launch devastating attacks on submerged targets without being heard using advanced soundproofing and stealth technologies. The program was terminated in the 1960s, and the project was sealed.
16. The U.S. “Giant Hornet” Aircraft – 1950s
The “Giant Hornet” was a highly classified, experimental aircraft designed for extremely high-altitude flights and reconnaissance missions. Its design was so advanced that it remained top secret, and only a few prototypes were everconstructed. With the advent of more reliable reconnaissance satellites, the program was abandoned, and its details buried.
15. The ZK-1 “Jet Boots” – 1950s
The Soviet Union developed a pair of jet-powered boots in the 1950s. These boots were intended to propel soldiers over obstacles and provide extra speed during combat. While prototypes were tested, the technology was never fully developed, and the concept was abandoned after the jet boots proved impractical for battlefield use.
14. The F-111 “Swing Wing” – 1960s
The F-111 was a multi-role aircraft developed by the U.S. that featured a “swing-wing” design, allowing it to fly both at low speeds and high altitudes. While the plane had some success, it was overshadowed by newer technologies, and the complex swing-wing design was abandoned by the 1980s, leaving only limited variants in use.
13. The Hades Bomb – 1960s
The Hades Bomb was an experimental tactical nuclear weapon developed by the U.S. in the 1960s. Unlike traditional atomic bombs, it was designed for use on the battlefield in smaller, more targeted strikes. The project was abandoned due to its inhumane nature and environmental concerns, leaving the Hades Bomb’s full capabilities shrouded in mystery.
12. The Submarine-Launched Missile Project – 1960s
During the 1960s, the U.S. military explored the possibility of launching submarine missiles using experimental and highly classified devices. These missiles would allow submarines to strike deep within enemy territory without detection.The project was abandoned due to technical difficulties and the evolution of more reliable missile-launching platforms.
11. The Tethered Drone – 1960s
The U.S. military once explored the use of tethered drones for surveillance. These small, remotely piloted aircraft were intended to stay in one area for long periods, transmitting real-time intelligence. However, more advanced UAVs soon rendered the idea obsolete, and this unique project was abandoned in favor of newer technologies.
10. The “Snake” Missile – 1970s
In the 1970s, the Soviet Union developed the “Snake” missile, a unique concept designed to crawl through the terrain and attack enemy targets. Modeled after biological systems, the rocket could maneuver like a snake, using its flexibility to avoid obstacles. The project was abandoned due to technical hurdles and classified as a failure.
9. The Hovercraft Tank – 1970s
Developed as an experimental project by the U.S., the hovercraft tank was intended to provide mobility over land and water during amphibious assaults. Its design featured a sizable inflatable skirt that allowed it to hover over surfaces, but the vehicle’s vulnerability and difficulty in deployment led to its abandonment after several prototypes.
8. The Phantom Torpedo – 1970s
The Phantom Torpedo was a secretive weapon developed by the U.S. Navy in the 1970s that utilized advanced technology to track and destroy enemy submarines. Its exact functionality and design remain classified, and the project was abandoned in favor of more reliable torpedo systems, leaving the Phantom’s secrets hidden from history.
7. The Antimatter Bomb – 1980s
In the 1980s, the U.S. military began investigating the potential use of antimatter in weapons, specifically antimatter bombs. These weapons would use antimatter to create devastating explosions far more powerful than conventional nuclear weapons. Though research was conducted, the project was shelved due to the challenges of producing sufficient antimatter.
6. The “Black Knight” Stealth Fighter – 1980s
The “Black Knight” was a classified stealth fighter developed by the U.S. Air Force during the 1980s. The plane was designed to be undetectable by radar and capable of high-speed, high-altitude operations. Despite early trials, the project was canceled, and the aircraft’s development details have been tightly guarded since its termination.
5. The Russian “Phantom” Anti-Satellite Weapon – 1980s
During the Cold War, the Soviet Union developed a secret anti-satellite weapon called the “Phantom.” This technology was designed to disable or destroy enemy satellites in orbit, rendering critical communications and surveillance systems useless. The project was abandoned in the early 1990s after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and no working models were ever deployed.
4. The Dead Hand System – 1980s
The Soviet Union’s “Dead Hand” system was a secret automated control system designed to launch nuclear missiles in the event of a catastrophic attack on the USSR. It was supposed to be a fail-safe to ensure retaliation. The system was kept secret for decades, and many details remain classified to this day.
3. The A-12 Avenger II Stealth Bomber – 1980s
The A-12 Avenger II was a stealth bomber developed by the U.S. Navy to evade radar while delivering precise strikes. After spending billions in development, the program was canceled in the early 1990s due to budget issues and design flaws. The technology was classified, and much of the data surrounding it remains secret.
2. The “Blackbird” Secret Stealth Drone – 1990s
In the 1990s, the U.S. developed a top-secret drone dubbed the “Blackbird” designed for deep reconnaissance missions in enemy territory. Using stealth technology and advanced sensors, it could evade radar while gathering intelligence. Details of the project were classified, and the program was abruptly canceled, with no public confirmation of its existence.
1. The BAE “Aurora” Hypersonic Plane – 1990s
Rumored to be developed by British Aerospace in the 1990s, the “Aurora” was a top-secret hypersonic plane designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Capable of reaching speeds greater than Mach 5, the Aurora was never officially confirmed by the British government, and the aircraft’s existence remains one of the most enduring military aviation mysteries.