Top 5 Most Impressive War Machines
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Warfare has existed throughout the course of human history, and despite its negatives, some of the greatest technological advances have come about due to wartime innovation. Looking back throughout all the years of recorded conflicts, there are certain machines whose engineering prowess is so incredible, they rank as some of the most impressive machines ever built. Here are the top 5 most impressive war machines throughout all of history.
Zubr-class LCAC
LCAC stands for landing craft air cushion, and these machines are essentially large militarized hovercraft. They can navigate with ease over water and land, used to transport troops and military vehicles. The Zubr class LCACs are Russian built, and first saw action in 1988. This class of hovercraft is the biggest in the entire world, displacing 621 tons and hauling up to 150 tons of cargo. The incredible machine has a range of 300 miles, while it can also be stored in the underbelly of amphibious ships for longer transport.
The Ural Command Ship
Developed by the Soviet Union near the end of the cold war, the Ural served as command central for all of the USSR's naval fleet. Launched in 1989, the ship stretched 870 feet long and weighed 36,000 tons. This is comparable to a small aircraft carrier. Powered by 2 nuclear reactors, the ship was capable of monitoring all of the Soviet Union's pacific fleet from port. Due to its impressive size, a floating offshore dock was the only way the ship could be stationed, with resupplies coming from smaller craft. Decommissioned in 2001, the ship still stands as one of the largest naval accomplishments of all time.
The Helepolis at Rhodes
The siege on Salamis in Cyprus in 306 B.C. included the largest siege engine ever constructed by any civilization. Called Helepolis, this man-powered mobile fortress could hold 3,400 men ready for attack. It was invented by Polyidus of Thessaly, spanning 130 feet high and 65 feet wide. Two series of 4 wheels allowed the massive structure to slowly roll into battle. The siege engine worked perfectly at first, but was later pulled from the battle when the iron shielded plates on the front were damaged.
The Gustav Gun
Developed by the Nazis in WWII, the Gustav Gun was commissioned to destroy the long wall of French forts along the German border. It is the largest gun ever built, requiring its own railway to move and position. Weighing in at 1344 tons, the cannon functioned through a 500-man crew. When fully loaded and targeted, the cannon could accurately hit targets up to 29 miles away. The Gustav gun played a major role in the siege at Sevastopol but was later captured by the U.S. Army in a decisive victory.
R-7 Semyorka ICBM
Intercontinental ballistic missiles continue to threaten the safety of many around the world. The world's first was developed by the Soviet Union during the cold war. First seen implemented in 1959, the Semyorka missiles were an impressive feat in missile technology. Despite being on the cutting edge of technology, the missile required over 24 hours to prepare for launched, and it couldn't be left constantly on. The cryogenic fuel system meant that it could only remain active for a few hours. However, the R-7 served as a major intimidation factor in the Cold War, ultimately forcing the U.S. to develop their own intercontinental missile technologies.
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