Weapons

Military gear including guns, tanks, aircraft, missiles, and more, as well as the people and software operating it.

Latest in Weapons

Tracing the controversial history of cluster bombs, from the USSR to Ukraine

Technology

Tracing the controversial history of cluster bombs, from the USSR to Ukraine Tracing the controversial history of cluster bombs, from the USSR to Ukraine

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Everything to know about North Korea’s latest missile test

Technology

Everything to know about North Korea’s latest missile test Everything to know about North Korea’s latest missile test

By Kelsey D. Atherton

B-52s in flight

Technology

The US flew its most iconic Cold War bomber over Europe The US flew its most iconic Cold War bomber over Europe

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Technology

Ukraine’s answer to Russian tanks involves a classic tactic: metal ‘hedgehogs’ Ukraine’s answer to Russian tanks involves a classic tactic: metal ‘hedgehogs’

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Technology

These are the weapons in the Ukrainian arsenal These are the weapons in the Ukrainian arsenal

By Kelsey D. Atherton

nuclear missile test

Technology

A closer look at Russia’s nuclear arsenal—and the rest of the world’s A closer look at Russia’s nuclear arsenal—and the rest of the world’s

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Russian forces just captured Chernobyl. What are the radioactive risks?

Technology

Russian forces just captured Chernobyl. What are the radioactive risks? Russian forces just captured Chernobyl. What are the radioactive risks?

By Kelsey D. Atherton

How electronic warfare could factor into the Russia-Ukraine crisis

Technology

How electronic warfare could factor into the Russia-Ukraine crisis How electronic warfare could factor into the Russia-Ukraine crisis

By Kelsey D. Atherton

tanks in a field

Technology

The tanks, rockets, and other weapons that Russia has in its arsenal The tanks, rockets, and other weapons that Russia has in its arsenal

By Kelsey D. Atherton

a laser demonstration

Technology

Israel could supplement its Iron Dome with a ‘laser wall’ Israel could supplement its Iron Dome with a ‘laser wall’

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Technology

What causes Havana Syndrome? Not foreign attackers, CIA says. What causes Havana Syndrome? Not foreign attackers, CIA says.

Technology

Why Japan is betting on railguns for missile defense Why Japan is betting on railguns for missile defense

By Kelsey D. Atherton

India launched a torpedo from a missile. Here’s why.

Technology

India launched a torpedo from a missile. Here’s why. India launched a torpedo from a missile. Here’s why.

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Faint red plutonium core for nuclear weapons on black

Technology

Why Los Alamos lab is working on the tricky task of creating new plutonium cores Why Los Alamos lab is working on the tricky task of creating new plutonium cores

By Kelsey D. Atherton

This high-tech gunsight could allow soldiers to shoot around corners, Matrix-style

Technology

This high-tech gunsight could allow soldiers to shoot around corners, Matrix-style This high-tech gunsight could allow soldiers to shoot around corners, Matrix-style

By Kelsey D. Atherton

How North Korea’s cruise missiles could surprise its enemies

Technology

How North Korea’s cruise missiles could surprise its enemies How North Korea’s cruise missiles could surprise its enemies

By Kelsey D. Atherton

troops stand in front of a satellite dish

Science

This space-based weapon remains in the dark—for now This space-based weapon remains in the dark—for now

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Bikini Atoll Likely Still Too Radioactive For Resettlement

Technology

Bikini Atoll Likely Still Too Radioactive For Resettlement Bikini Atoll Likely Still Too Radioactive For Resettlement

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Technology

Gun control laws actually work, according to new research Gun control laws actually work, according to new research

This new Russian rifle is designed for combat beneath the waves

Technology

This new Russian rifle is designed for combat beneath the waves This new Russian rifle is designed for combat beneath the waves

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Technology

Robot Rodeo, Y’all! Robot Rodeo, Y’all!

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Technology

The Massive Ordnance Penetrator Will Be the Largest Non-Nuclear Bomb Ever The Massive Ordnance Penetrator Will Be the Largest Non-Nuclear Bomb Ever

West Point Cadets Are Shooting Down Drones With Cyber Rifles

Technology

West Point Cadets Are Shooting Down Drones With Cyber Rifles West Point Cadets Are Shooting Down Drones With Cyber Rifles

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Apple's gun emoji side-by-side

Technology

Apple Removes The Gun Emoji, Replaces It With A Squirt Gun Apple Removes The Gun Emoji, Replaces It With A Squirt Gun

By Carl Franzen

launch of a ballistic missile interceptor

Technology

What you need to know about the missile defense system that just intercepted a practice target in space What you need to know about the missile defense system that just intercepted a practice target in space

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Should Tanks Be More Like iPhones?

Technology

Should Tanks Be More Like iPhones? Should Tanks Be More Like iPhones?

By Kelsey D. Atherton

The World’s Spookiest Weapons

Technology

The World’s Spookiest Weapons The World’s Spookiest Weapons

By Matt Ransford

Survivors of America’s first atomic bomb test want their place in history

Technology

Survivors of America’s first atomic bomb test want their place in history Survivors of America’s first atomic bomb test want their place in history

By Kelsey D. Atherton

DIY eye in the sky

DIY

Re-Create The First Intercontinental Weapon Re-Create The First Intercontinental Weapon

By William Gurstelle

How to build a medieval crossbow

DIY

How to build a medieval crossbow How to build a medieval crossbow

By William Gurstelle

Build a gas-powered marshmallow shooter

DIY

Build a gas-powered marshmallow shooter Build a gas-powered marshmallow shooter

By William Gurstelle

US Army soldier running on a track in a bomb suit

Technology

Meet the woman who set a record for running in a 96-pound bomb suit Meet the woman who set a record for running in a 96-pound bomb suit

By David Roza/Task & Purpose

Corroded munitions with sea life grown over.

Environment

The ocean is a giant dump for chemical weapons. Can we clean it up before it’s too late? The ocean is a giant dump for chemical weapons. Can we clean it up before it’s too late?

By María Paula Rubiano A.

Technology

A plastic gun from a 3-D printer isn’t the safety concern you’d imagine A plastic gun from a 3-D printer isn’t the safety concern you’d imagine

A 120mm mortar fires from a military vehicle.

Technology

Laser detection and GPS guide this new mortar to its target with better accuracy Laser detection and GPS guide this new mortar to its target with better accuracy

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Technology

The US military’s heat weapon is real and painful. Here’s what it does. The US military’s heat weapon is real and painful. Here’s what it does.

Technology

Japanese anime remembers the atom bomb, decades after Hiroshima Japanese anime remembers the atom bomb, decades after Hiroshima

By Frank Fuller/The Conversation

A man with a beard draws back on a hand-made bow and arrow set.

DIY

How to build your own bow and arrows when you’re lost in the wild How to build your own bow and arrows when you’re lost in the wild

By Tim MacWelch/ Outdoor Life

Police spraying pepper spray

DIY

How to handle a pepper spray attack How to handle a pepper spray attack

By Sandra Gutierrez G.

Protesters in Washington, D.C. faced off with canisters of tear gas at the end of May.

Health

Tear gas during COVID-19 is a public health disaster Tear gas during COVID-19 is a public health disaster

police at a protest

Technology

How to protect yourself from rubber bullets—and why these ‘nonlethal’ weapons are so dangerous How to protect yourself from rubber bullets—and why these ‘nonlethal’ weapons are so dangerous

By Candice Wang

Technology

This new 1.2-ton torpedo can hit a target 31 miles away This new 1.2-ton torpedo can hit a target 31 miles away

By Christina Mackenzie

hands load a gun in front of an american flag

Technology

Congress is putting money toward gun violence research for the first time in decades Congress is putting money toward gun violence research for the first time in decades

How to protect yourself from nuclear radiation

DIY

How to protect yourself from nuclear radiation How to protect yourself from nuclear radiation

By Chris Roberts

Nuking hurricanes out of the sky ‘doesn’t make sense at all’

Science

Nuking hurricanes out of the sky ‘doesn’t make sense at all’ Nuking hurricanes out of the sky ‘doesn’t make sense at all’

By Erin Blakemore

No, Lyme disease is not an escaped military bioweapon, despite what conspiracy theorists say

Technology

No, Lyme disease is not an escaped military bioweapon, despite what conspiracy theorists say No, Lyme disease is not an escaped military bioweapon, despite what conspiracy theorists say

By Sam Telford/The Conversation

North Korea’s missile program and nuclear weapons: What we know (and don’t)

Technology

North Korea’s missile program and nuclear weapons: What we know (and don’t) North Korea’s missile program and nuclear weapons: What we know (and don’t)

A third of youth firearm deaths could be prevented without taking away a single gun

Technology

A third of youth firearm deaths could be prevented without taking away a single gun A third of youth firearm deaths could be prevented without taking away a single gun

These blades can cut nearly anything

Technology

These blades can cut nearly anything These blades can cut nearly anything

gun mortality by year

Technology

We’re creeping back up to mid ‘90s-level gun death rates We’re creeping back up to mid ‘90s-level gun death rates

By Sara Chodosh

These elite chemical weapons detectives can prove who’s behind deadly attacks

Technology

These elite chemical weapons detectives can prove who’s behind deadly attacks These elite chemical weapons detectives can prove who’s behind deadly attacks

By Bryan Gardiner

two paramedics prepare to take someone out of an ambulance

Technology

Gunshot wound first aid can save a life. Here’s what to do. Gunshot wound first aid can save a life. Here’s what to do.

By Nicole Wetsman

The oldest weapons in North America offer a new view of prehistoric tech

Science

The oldest weapons in North America offer a new view of prehistoric tech The oldest weapons in North America offer a new view of prehistoric tech

By Neel V. Patel

How to build a tabletop catapult

DIY

How to build a tabletop catapult How to build a tabletop catapult

By Sophie Bushwick

Of course semi-automatic guns are deadlier. Here’s why scientists took so long to say so.

Technology

Of course semi-automatic guns are deadlier. Here’s why scientists took so long to say so. Of course semi-automatic guns are deadlier. Here’s why scientists took so long to say so.

By Sara Chodosh

Guess which two countries account for a third of all gun deaths

Technology

Guess which two countries account for a third of all gun deaths Guess which two countries account for a third of all gun deaths

By Sara Chodosh

Human thigh bones apparently make excellent weapons in close combat

Technology

Human thigh bones apparently make excellent weapons in close combat Human thigh bones apparently make excellent weapons in close combat

By Neel V. Patel

It’s not just Syria—chemical weapons still pose a global threat

Technology

It’s not just Syria—chemical weapons still pose a global threat It’s not just Syria—chemical weapons still pose a global threat

Robert Afzal is developing powerful laser blasters for the U.S. military

Technology

Robert Afzal is developing powerful laser blasters for the U.S. military Robert Afzal is developing powerful laser blasters for the U.S. military

a gun and bullets

Technology

Gun research could save lives, but America won’t fund it Gun research could save lives, but America won’t fund it

By Lacey Wallace/The Conversation

North Korean Missile Flies Upward

Technology

No one wants another H-bomb test in the Pacific No one wants another H-bomb test in the Pacific

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Kim Jong-un inspects what appears to be a thermonuclear warhead

Technology

North Korea wants the world to know it has a working thermonuclear bomb North Korea wants the world to know it has a working thermonuclear bomb

By Kelsey D. Atherton

Rodong Sinmun front page, March 9, 2016.

Technology

North Korea’s miniaturized nuclear warheads were a long time coming North Korea’s miniaturized nuclear warheads were a long time coming

By Kelsey D. Atherton

North Korea’s new ICBMs can reach most of the United States

Technology

North Korea’s new ICBMs can reach most of the United States North Korea’s new ICBMs can reach most of the United States

By Kelsey D. Atherton