The Atomic Cannon was a thing during the Cold War

On May 25, 1953, the U.S. military tested a 280mm atomic cannon shell over Nevada it codenamed Grable.
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atomic cannon test
The mushroom cloud from Upshot–Knothole Grable, with the cannon it was fired from in the foreground.

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On May 25, 1953, the U.S. military tested a 280mm atomic artillery shell over Nevada it codenamed Grable. The round was fired from the Atomic Cannon—one of the largest ever produced by the U.S.—to a target seven-miles away.

The U.S. made 20 of these cannons during the Cold War in case it came to blows with the Soviets. The round detonated in the air and completely obliterated the cars, buildings, and bridges below. Learn more about this crazy cannon during this nerve wracking video by WATM. 

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