The Soviet Union wanted to use this bizarre plane to hunt American nuclear submarines

Throughout the Cold War the Soviet Union and the United States were constantly trying to check each other's military power. This drive for each country to outdo the other led to some truly bizarre pieces of military hardware.

One of the most astounding Soviet creations was the Bartini Beriev VVA-14. The plane, whose pontoons give it the bizarre look of a bomber airframe strapped to two Star Trek-like nacelles, was the work of Italian designer Robert Bartini.

It was envisioned as a vertical take-off amphibious aircraft designed to act as a defense against US nuclear submarines. It was supposed to be able to skim the surface of the water, allowing it to have eyes on underwater targets while keeping it safe from sub attacks.

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