👉 The Hughes Weapon, officially known as the "Hughes Aircraft Company's" or more specifically the "H-1A" and "H-4 Hercules" aircraft, was a revolutionary military weapon designed during World War II. Developed by the Hughes Aircraft Company (later part of Northrop Grumman), it was primarily intended as a long-range, high-altitude bomber capable of delivering devastating payloads to enemy targets. The H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the "Spruce Goose" due to its massive size and use of wood due to wartime material shortages, was the largest aircraft ever flown at the time, with a wingspan of 320 feet. Although it never saw combat in significant numbers due to its high cost and limited operational utility, the Hughes Weapon represented a significant leap in aviation technology, showcasing advancements in aerodynamics and materials science that influenced future military aircraft design.
