What was a Bat Bomb?

Introduction Bat bombs were an experimental World War II weapon developed by the United States. The bomb consisted of a bomb-shaped casing with over a thousand compartments, each containing a hibernating Mexican free-tailed bat with a small, timed incendiary bomb attached. Dropped from a bomber at dawn, the casings would deploy a parachute in mid-flight… Read More

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What was the ASM-N-2 Bat?

Introduction The ASM-N-2 Bat was a United States Navy World War II radar-guided glide bomb which was used in combat beginning in April 1944. It was developed and overseen by a unit within the National Bureau of Standards (which unit later became a part of the Army Research Laboratory) with assistance from the Navy’s Bureau… Read More

What was Project Pigeon?

Introduction During World War II, Project Pigeon (later Project Orcon, for “organic control”) was American behaviourist B.F. Skinner’s attempt to develop a pigeon-controlled guided bomb. Refer to ASM-N-2 Bat (Glide Bomb) and Bat Bomb. Overview The testbed was the same National Bureau of Standards-developed, unpowered airframe that was later used for the US Navy’s radar-guided… Read More