Military

Explore the weapons and combat systems used by the armed services. A broad range of topics in the Military Channel includes tanks, aircraft, biological warfare and stealth technologies.

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How to Survive a Nuclear Attack

Sheltering in place could give you the best chance of surviving a nuclear attack.

By John Perritano Aug 15, 2017 Military / Explosives

Why a Draft Would Weaken the U.S. Military

Most experts agree that the all-volunteer military is what makes the U.S. armed forces the best in the world. Would that change if the draft was reinstated?

By John Perritano Jul 20, 2017 Military / Soldiers

Gun Purchases for Self-Defense Skyrocket

A new study shows gun sales in the U.S. for self-defense soars, while sales for recreational shooting and hunting languish.

By Alia Hoyt Jul 5, 2017 Military / Firearms

How Camp X Worked

The history of the secret spy training school may be overlooked, but Camp X played a vital role in intelligence gathering during World War II.

By Ed Grabianowski Military / Branches

Successful Test Puts Military One Step Closer to Electromagnetic Rail Guns

The sci-fi weapon's destructive power may be closer to reality thanks to a recent test of the General Atomics Blitzer system.

By Patrick J. Kiger May 23, 2017 Military / Future Military

Ghost Tape No. 10: The Haunted Mixtape of the Vietnam War

In one of its more bizarre moments, the U.S. Army created voice tapes of allegedly wandering souls to depress Viet Cong morale.

By Alia Hoyt May 16, 2017 Military / Soldiers

The Mother of All Bombs Is Big But It's No Nuke

The MOAB is the largest nonnuclear bomb ever used by the U.S. So what makes it OK to drop this bomb and not a nuclear warhead? We dive in to find out.

By John Donovan Apr 21, 2017 Military / Explosives

Using Glowing Bacteria and Lasers to Detect Landmines

With tens of millions of active landmines still buried around the globe, scientists are looking for efficient and safe methods to remove them.

By Laurie L. Dove Apr 14, 2017 Military / Explosives

Is It Time for the United States to Establish a Space Force?

The Air Force currently handles U.S. military activities in space. But some experts argue that the country needs a new, independent Space Corps.

By Patrick J. Kiger Mar 24, 2017 Military / Future Military

The Simple Difference Between Ballistic Missiles and Cruise Missiles

Despite the phrase "going ballistic," the term "ballistic" refers to how a missile travels through the air, not its explosive capability.

By Patrick J. Kiger Feb 15, 2017 Military / Explosives

Thought Experiment: What Would a World Without Guns Be Like?

Would populations boom and violence cease? Or would humans and human nature essentially remain the same?

By Christian Sager Jan 19, 2017 Military / Firearms

5 Surprising Facts About Gun Silencers

For instance, gun silencers don't make guns all that quiet.

By Dave Roos Jan 12, 2017 Military / Firearms

Russia Once Built a Doomsday Device Nicknamed 'Dead Hand'

How did it work? Is it still around? The BrainStuff team investigates.

By Allison Loudermilk Jun 17, 2016 Military / Explosives

U.S. Air Force Sets Speed Record With Magnetically Levitating Rocket Sled

Military researchers created a maglev rocket sled that moves twice as fast as the speediest maglev train — but they're not planning to use it for travel.

By Patrick J. Kiger May 5, 2016 Military / Future Military

Ridiculous History: The U.S. Navy Used Dirigibles as Flying Aircraft Carriers

Aloft in the 1930s, the helium-filled USS Akron and Macon were aircraft carriers that docked biplanes. Today both rest beneath the waters off California's Pacific coast.

By Laurie L. Dove May 2, 2016 Military / Navy

U.S. Lawmakers Ask Whether It's Time for Women to Register for the Draft

With military combat roles opening to all, should women have the responsibility to register for the draft at 18 like men? A bill aims to catalyze the conversation.

By Laurie L. Dove Feb 19, 2016 Military / Soldiers

China and the U.S. Can Avoid a Space War by Making That Hotline Bling

To skirt misunderstandings, the two countries recently established a direct 'hotline' to share info about activities in space. What's the precedent for that?

By Chris Opfer Dec 9, 2015 Military / Future Military

Autonomous Weapons: Coming to a Future Near You?

Advances in technology may soon make it possible for weapons to mount attacks without human direction. Meet the scientists who want to prevent this from happening.

By Lauren Vogelbaum Oct 19, 2015 Military / Future Military

How do they deice airplanes?

If you're traveling during the winter time, there's a good chance that your flight may be delayed because the plane needs deicing. Why do they wait until the last minute to do this?

By Karen Kirkpatrick Aircraft / Modern

Why are drone pilots leaving the military?

Why the skies aren't exactly so friendly for drone pilots.

By Chris Opfer Military / Soldiers

Can drones replace fighter jets?

Military types are looking to drones to fly the deadly skies.

By Chris Opfer Military / Future Military

How Laser-firing Jets Will Work

"Star Wars" at sea? That's sort of the promise of a new generation of laser-firing jets now being developed by the U.S. military.

By Dave Roos Aircraft / Modern

How Drone Strikes Work

We know how drone strikes are supposed to work: After careful monitoring, the bad guy is targeted and taken out. The reality is often much hazier — and deadlier.

By Clint Pumphrey Aircraft / Modern

Does the U.S. military have rules about tattoos?

Tattoos and the military seem to go together. Many U.S. soldiers get ink to commemorate their service or fallen comrades. And the tattooed Navy sailor is part of American folklore. But can a tattoo actually prevent you from serving your country?

By Debra Ronca Military / Soldiers

Are robots replacing human soldiers?

One U.S. Army leader says robots could account for a significant portion of American fighting forces in the next 20 years or so. Find out how machines are waging war now and how they may change the face of battle in the decades to come.

By Chris Opfer Military / Future Military