Which Leonardo da Vinci design used blades to clear obstacles in front of a moving chariot?

The Leonardo da Vinci design using blades to clear obstacles in front of a moving chariot is called a scythed chariot.

Leonardo’s version was a proposed military vehicle fitted with rotating blades or scythes. The blades were intended to sweep around the vehicle and damage obstacles or opposing forces as the chariot advanced. The concept belonged to a long tradition of blade-equipped war vehicles rather than being wholly new to Leonardo.

Ancient sources describe scythed chariots associated with Persian warfare, especially under rulers such as Cyrus the Younger. Leonardo adapted the idea through Renaissance mechanical drawing, adding gears and a more elaborate carriage concept.

The design was never a proven battlefield machine. Its rotating blades would have posed serious risks to the operators and required reliable control. Leonardo’s drawing is best understood as an example of his interest in combining mechanical motion with military engineering.