Machinery & Gear | War History

The M249 SAW Machine Gun Continues to Enhance the Role of Infantrymen in Combat

June Steele
Spc. Shawn Kennedy looking through the sight of an M249 SAW machine gun

The M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) machine gun – also known as the Light Machine Gun, 5.56 mm, M249 – is a critical tool for…

The Japanese Bolt-Action Arisaka Type 99 Rifle Saw Extensive Use In the Pacific Theater

Soldier aiming an Arisaka Type 99 rifle

The Arisaka Type 99 rifle was a significant evolution in the realm of military armaments. Born out of necessity in the 1930s, its development reflected…

Forward-Swept Wings Gave the Sukhoi Su-47 ‘Berkut’ a Unique Appearance

Sukhoi Su-47 'Berkut' in flight

Continued advancements are the norm when it comes to military aviation, and some designs stand out for their unique features and designs. The Russian Sukhoi…

10 Photos That Show US Navy Ships During Their Prime and Following Their Retirement

Comparison photo featuring two images of the USS Texas (BB-35), one showing the ship in the Panama Canal and the other of her docked as a museum ship

It would be near impossible to list all of the ships that have served under the US Navy over the centuries – so we’re not…

Retired ‘Lancelot’ B-1B Lancer Being Returned to Active Service

Rockwell B-1B Lancer 'Lancelot' taxiing down a runway at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma

The US Air Force has made the decision to reactivate a Rockwell B-1B Lancer it put into storage three years ago. The strategic bomber, nicknamed…

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23: The Most-Produced Variable-Sweep Wing Aircraft in History

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 taking off

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 “Flogger” is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft designed for the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It was introduced in the 1970s, with 5,047…

Northrop Grumman RQ-180: The US Air Force’s ISR Aircraft That’s Shrouded In Secrecy

Artist's rendering of the RQ-180

When it comes to aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 holds a unique position. Developed in secrecy following the retirement of the Lockheed…

Ukraine Strikes Landing Ship Stolen By Russia During 2014 Annexation of Crimea

Konstantin Olshansky at sea

Ukraine is celebrating a minor victory after the country’s military struck several Russian Navy vessels in a recent attack. Among the ships to suffer damage…

A Man Bought All the Excess B-2 Spirit Windshields and Used Them to Build His Daughter a Treehouse

Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit in flight

The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is among the most advanced aircraft ever developed. Designed to blend stealth with strength, it’s capable of performing tasks other…

From Gangsters to the Battlefield: The Enduring Legacy of the Tommy Gun

June Steele
Four British infantrymen holding Tommy Guns

When discussing the Tommy Gun, it’s essential to delve into the cultural impact it’s had over the years. Originally designed for the military during World…

Wreck of British Warship Sunk in the 18th Century Identified Off the Coast of Florida

Diver swimming over a coral-covered cannon from the HMS Tyger

Archaeologists with the National Park Service (NPS) have identified the wreck of a centuries-old British warship that was found off the coast of the Florida…

Sukhoi Su-30: The Russian Air Superiority Fighter That Rivals the American F-15E Strike Eagle

Sukhoi Su-30SM in flight

The Sukhoi Su-30 (Flanker-C) is a testament to the advancements made in contemporary air combat technology, offering pilots an incredible blend of agility, speed and…