If you had any doubt that soldiers are some of the bravest people around, check out some of the weapons they encounter in combat. Here are 15 terrifying military weapons that actually exist.
Sources: Yahoo.com, Complex.com, Ibtimes.com
The Active Denial System is like a giant ray gun. The tank shoots electromagnetic waves that shock the top layer of the target’s skin, causing extreme pain. Allegedly there are no long-term affects of the exposure.
The HK M320 grenade launcher acts as both a grenade launcher and a very powerful attachment to an assault rifle. By attaching the launcher to a rifle, the shooter can achieve extremely accurate shots of everything from NATO grenades to less-lethal rounds using laser technology that help find a target.
Known as the MQ9 Reaper drone, this weapon is almost making military personnel redundant. The drone can carry 500-pound bombs as well as several types of missiles and can identify targets from miles away.
Called the Taser Shockwave, this transformative device can electrocute anyone within a 250-foot radius at the touch of a button, and can even be mounted to a vehicle.
Called the Matador rocket launcher, this beast is meant to break through brick walls and vehicle exteriors. With two automatic settings, the launcher can be set to send two rockets quickly, one after another, to take down difficult walls, or spread them out so that the first rocket breaks down a wall and the second attacks whatever was on the other side of that wall.
The ADAPTIV Invisibility Cloak has disguise capabilities and uses infra-red technology to make a tank blend into its surroundings. It can be made to look like something else — like a regular car.
This highly intelligent weapon not only launches grenades up to 2,300 feet, but allows the shooter to time exactly when the grenade explodes. It also has laser features and a short barrel comparable in size to a cannon. Appropriately it’s called the XM25 smart grenade launcher.
You read that right. This firearm was built for the U.S. Secret Service and it folds up to look like a laptop battery. Officially called the Magpul FMG-9, this gun can shoot off a nine-millimeter, 30-round clip and fits in a back pocket.
The AA12 Atchisson assault shotgun is so user friendly and light, it can be shot from the hip with just one hand. The gun can send out five shells per second, but it can also send out explosives and grenades.
The Armatix digital revolver won’t do you any good if you steal it. This digital handgun requires fingerprint authorization from the owner in order to be activated. Even if the gun gtts into the wrong hands and someone manages to activate it, the owner can deactivate it by the push of a button on a watch.
If someone’s in a tight spot and can’t see what they’re shooting at, the Corner Shot 40mm grenade launcher can see for them. This little device comes with a digital camera and video screen that give the shooter a preview of where his amo will go. The weapon shoots 60-millimeter rounds, tear gas and explosives.
The M32 multiple grenade launcher can shoot six 40-milimeter grenades in less than six seconds, but it can also shoot essentially tiny cameras that parachute to the ground and capture battle footage and some of the most explosive projectiles out there.
The U.S. army uses this gas-operated sharpshooter as a sniper rifle on the battlefield. The gun, called the KAC M110 sniper rifle, has a 4-1 hit ratio, can shoot up to 3,200 feet, and has sound-suppressing night vision.
This rifle is capable of literally taking away somebody’s sight and is called the PHASR rifle. The weapon only causes temporary blindness using laser technology. Weapons that cause permanent blindness are banned in the U.S.
Called the Beretta LTLX7000 shotgun, this weapon is designed to let bullets hit a target with the same exact force, no matter the shooting distance. Through range configuration, the weapon essentially calculates how strongly the bullets have to be sent out to achieve the desired force.