Tools of War: Weapons and Equipment
By Kennedy Hickman, About.com Guide to Military History
Since the beginning of time, weapons have constantly been evolving from the earliest spears to today's laser-guided bombs. As technology has changed, militaries have kept pace ensuring that they always have the most advanced weapons, ships, and aircraft.
Arms & Equipment
Few things accelerate technological change like warfare, as the side with the most advanced weapons often triumphs in battle. In this section, examine the weapons and vehicles that had a major impact on the battlefield and ultimately changed history.
- Photo Tour: Stirling Castle
- Photo Tour: Edinburgh Castle
- Franco-Prussian War: Dreyse Needle Gun
- World War I & World War II: Lee-Enfield Rifle
- World War II: M1 Garand
- World War II: M4 Sherman Tank
- World War II: A22 Churchill Tank
- World War II: German Panther Tank
Aircraft
Land here to explore the wide variety of aircraft that have been used by the world's armed forces. From the Sopwith Camel to the F-14, this is your place for information about the planes that have dominated the skies.
- Photo Gallery: Fighters of World War I
- World War I: RAF S.E.5
- World War I: Fokker Dr.I
- World War II: Supermarine Spitfire
- World War II: Mitsubishi A6M Zero
- World War II: Lockheed P-38 Lightning
- Photo Gallery: World War II Bombers
- World War II: Messerschmitt Me 262
- Korean War: F-86 Sabre
- Vietnam War: F-105 Thunderchief
- Cold War: F-14 Tomcat
- Current Conflicts: F-35 Lightning II
Warships
While navies have sailed the world's oceans since before ancient Greece, some ships stand out for their technological advances, notable records in combat, or ill-fated demises. Find out more about some of these unique vessels.
- Napoleonic Wars: HMS Victory
- First Ironclads: HMS Warrior
- American Civil War: USS Kearsarge
- American Civil War: USS Monitor
- World War I & II: HMS Warspite
Strategy & Tactics
While it is important for a military to possess advanced weapons, it is equally important that they know how to employ them effectively. Here we will examine the strategy and tactics that have led to history's greatest triumphs and disasters.
Glossary
Military history has a language all its own, from abatis to ZULU time to an alphabet soup of acronyms. When you need help cutting through the jargon, try this set of resources.
