The Most Impressive Military Vehicles Ever
In 2022, the Department of Defense has been granted $768.2 billion to spend on military equipment. This is 2% more than Biden's original budget request.
With all that money destined for military funding, it's not a surprise that the US army has some of the most impressive military vehicles ever. Here, we have compiled some of them for all the army buffs. Be warned: the 9th and 14th look like something straight out of a Sci-Fi movie.
Beluga Airbus
This is the Beluga, formally known as the Airbus A300-600ST. This humongous airliner is modified to carry oversized cargo and aircraft parts: it can carry up to 54 tons.
The reason for the nickname "Beluga" is pretty obvious to the eye: it has an unusually huge size, and it kinda looks like a beluga whale, doesn't it?
AAV7
This is the AAV7: it's an amphibious assault vehicle, which means that it can be used to dominate both land and water. It requires a crew of three people to operate, but it can hold up to 25 soldiers.
In the sea, it can only reach about 20 miles per hour; but on land, it's up to 300 miles per hour. It comes with a 25 mm Bushmaster cannon and a 40 mm grenade launcher.
Autonomous Terramax
This is the Oshkosh's Autonomous Terramax. It's a self-driving vehicle, the main function of which is to keep as many soldiers in its interior as possible to keep them out of danger.
It's pretty effective, but according to the experts, it could use more upgrades. Still, there is no question that it looks pretty cool.
Black Knight Transformer
This is the Black Knight Transformer. Its name isn't the only cool thing about it: this helicopter/truck hybrid can reach a height of 10,000 feet and fly at up to 70 miles per hour.
The concept of this transformer was first introduced in 2012, and since then, it keeps getting upgraded regularly. It totally looks like a Transformer.
Humvee
Now this one is a classic: the Humvee. It's one of the longest-standing military vehicles, and for a good reason. Its weaponry, protective armor, and the 6.5-liter diesel engine speak for themselves.
As everyone knows, there is a consumer vehicle version of Humvees: Hummers. However, as it is to be expected, these don't have as many features as the military version.
CAMEL
Look at this absolute unit. It's named "Concept for Advanced Military Explosion Mitigating Land Vehicle," but friends call it CAMEL. You're welcome.
It's an 8×8 concept vehicle manufactured by Detroit Arsenal to display the future of armed vehicles. This stocky mechanical beast certainly looks quite futuristic and can remind of brutalist design to some.
M88A2
Ah, the M88A2. This one is another beast. Due to its unmatchable strength, it has participated in plenty of high-profile campaigns. And here's a piece of trivia: it was used to take down Saddam's statue.
Its engine has a capacity of 1,050 horsepower; what this means is that it can reach up to 30 miles an hour, which is quite alright considering that it weighs 35 tons.
LSVR MKR15
This is the LVSR MKR15; it's a 10×10 support vehicle that has been essential for marines in multiple campaigns. It's a rescue vehicle.
This means that it's mainly used to pull out vehicles that get stuck in the sand, snow, or mud. It can pull up to 96,000 pounds. And watch out now, because here comes some serious stuff.
B-2 Spirit
And now, please, a standing ovation for one of the jewels in the crown of the US Army aircraft: the B-2 Spirit bomber. Its design makes it almost invisible to radar.
It's the most expensive and technologically advanced military aircraft today; one of these bad boys costs about $2 billion. When you look at its design, the theory that UFOs are actually highly secret military aircraft trials starts making more sense.
M1117
This right here is the M1117. It's a tank that suggests a twist to how these vehicles are usually designed. Usually, speed isn't the most critical question. How much power the engine uses up is usually higher in the list of priorities to consider.
However, speed is the main feature of the M1117; it can drive at a speed of 70 miles per hour, which is about double what tanks can usually do; usually, the top speed limit of a tank is 25 to 45 miles per hour.
Cougar
This is the Cougar MRAP. It's a mine-resistant, ambush-protected earth vehicle designed to resist everything and anything. It comes with a C-7 diesel engine carrying 350 horsepower.
It can resist rocket-launched grenade fire and is equipped with an automated grenade launcher. Because if you stay ready, you don't have to get ready.
Super Guppy
This humongous plane is called the Super Guppy. It was the first aircraft to be produced by Aero Spacelines. It was designed to carry really heavy cargo.
It was designed before the Beluga, which we have already covered. The Beluga represented an upgrade from the Super Guppy, but there are still some of them in service.
LAV-25
Now, this right here is the LAV-25. LAV stands for Light Armored Vehicle. Thanks to its 275 power engine, it can travel 62 miles per hour. On land, that is; because this vehicle is also amphibious. It comes with an M242 25 mm chain gun and an M240 7.62 mm machine gun.
Now brace yourself for one of the most impressive military vehicles ever. This one looks like something out of a Sci-Fi movie.
Sea Shadow
This is the Sea Shadow (IX-529). It was an experimental stealth ship built in 1984, that is, in the midst of the Cold War. However, it wouldn't be revealed to the public until 1993.
It was designed to be undetectable to radar, and it looks like something aliens would build. It appeared on the James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies.