Student Article
This Is the Strangest Weapon the U.S. Military Doesn't Want You to Know About
Enigmatic (adjective): Mysterious and difficult to understand.
Aerogel (noun): A highly porous and lightweight material.
Transparency (noun): Openness and clarity.
Militaries around the world strive to keep their latest innovations under wraps, sparking curiosity and speculation among the public. One of the most enigmatic secrets is Fogbank, a material used in nuclear warheads.
What in the world is Fogbank?
Fogbank is believed to be an aerogel material that becomes superheated plasma during the fission stage of a nuclear detonation, triggering the fusion stage. Initially produced in Tennessee between 1975 and 1989, the process was lost when the facility was deactivated. In 2008, after extensive reverse engineering, Fogbank was successfully manufactured again.
Secret planes and “UFOs”
The military's secrecy extends to other technologies, such as advanced spy planes and space projects. Many UFO sightings from the 1950s and 60s were actually tests of classified military technology. A recent Pentagon report concluded that most UFO sightings are linked to these secret projects.
Revealing more secrets
The U.S. Department of Defense is considering reducing the classification level of some space programs to showcase its defense capabilities. This move aims to deter adversaries and increase transparency. The U.S. Space Force has already disclosed some details about the Silent Barker satellite, which monitors objects in Earth's orbit.
© Dr. Claire Asher / Our Media
Enigmatic (adjective): Mysterious and difficult to understand.
Aerogel (noun): A highly porous and lightweight material.
Transparency (noun): Openness and clarity.