Top 5: The World's Weirdest Military Aircraft
BY
JUSTIN SURETTE
PUBLISHED 1 DAY AGO
Notable for their unique looks and design concepts.
When we think of prominent military aircraft, we might think of an Air Force or Navy fighter jet, a particular bomber, or perhaps one of the many impressive transporters that have made significant contributions to government forces worldwide. But, along the way, many strange flying machines have been produced in the name of research and progress. There are plenty to choose from as the “most” ridiculous, so this is undoubtedly a complex and subjective topic (as such, you may not wholly agree with this list); nonetheless, here’s Simple Flying’s top five weirdest military aircraft.
5
F-117 Nighthawk
Lockheed is well-known for many reasons, one being its Skunk Works division, which assumes that an idea can come to fruition, no matter the mission. This rather secretive part of the company is responsible for producing multiple incredible works of engineering, but coming in at Number 5 for the strangest military aircraft is their F-117 Nighthawk.
An F-117 Nighthawk flying over mountainous terrain.
Photo: Staff Sgt. Aaron Allmon II via Wikimedia Commons
Proudly boasting its status as the first operational stealth aircraft, it also features a unique shape compared to other planes made for the same role. Where the F-35 Lightning II and F-22 Raptor look like relatively standard fighter jets, and the B-2 and B-21 are essentially flat flying wings, the F-117 stands out with high jagged edges and a V-shaped silhouette. However, this does not downplay its importance; it was Lockheed’s response to the need for a fighter jet that could operate undetected. It flew approximately two and a half years after the contract was awarded in cooperation between the Skunk Works team and the USAF.
4
M2-F1
In stark contrast to a flying wing with an obscure or no fuselage, flying bodies are, as they sound, a fuselage with little “wing.” One such example is NASA’s prototype “flying bathtub,” the M2-F1, to test and research a wingless aircraft concept.
https://simpleflying.com/weirdest-military-aircraft-list/#f-117-nighthawk
