Warfare

If history is anything to go by, humans seem to have perfected the art of war. Warfare is the act of armed combat between enemies. War has changed dramatically through history, from tribes fighting with primitive weapons to the atomic warfare of the last century. Vast amounts of money involved with the arms industry, and new weapons are constantly being developed, particularly by the United States, Russia and China.

Are we getting less violent and can we achieve world peace?

Violent conflicts and crimes remain with us, but are they still as prevalent as they once were? Prof Alexander Bellamy examines the evidence.
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Drone-killer fires microwave beams to disable UAVS

Directed energy weapons are designed for the battlefield, but could they also be coming to an airport or stadium near you?
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Five ways humanity might become extinct

99 per of the species that lived on Earth have gone extinct, but should this worry us? Here are five ways humanity might go the way of the dodo.
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The fighter jet that flies itself (almost)

With Top Gun: Maverick due to hit cinemas later this year, we went behind the scenes at RAF Marham to get up close to the new F-35, the first fighter jet that does (most of) the flying for you.
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WWI U-boat sunk by Royal Navy surveyed for the first time

Archaeologists said the remains of the main hull, which was intact along its length, were visible above the seabed.
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Can you fire a gun in space?

Shooting stars?
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Onboard with the world’s most advanced fighter jet

In Fort Worth, Texas, Lockheed Martin is building one of the world’s first stealth jump jets. We visited the factory to get under the skin of this new fighter jet technology.
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Humans may have evolved aggression, but that doesn’t mean we were hard-wired for war

Archaeological studies suggest changes in society some 10,000 years ago likely caused our capacity for conflict, rather than genetic evolution.
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The nuclear pioneer who escaped the Nazis

We uncover the little-known story of the Austrian physicist who launched the nuclear age.
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The new arms race above our heads

Forget the traditional battlegrounds of land, sea and air. Rapid developments in technology and our reliance on satellites for everything from communication to navigation are pushing conflicts into a new arena: outer space.
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The dark history of early American space exploration

Frank J. Malina is a forgotten name in the history of the USA's quest for space - his story is just a part of the deeply political story of American space exploration.
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Could geoengineering cause a climate war?

If country leaders manipulate the weather to do their bidding, could they create political tensions, or even all-out war?
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Can life survive in a radioactive environment?

The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and Bikini Atoll are still devoid of humans. But without the threat of our presence, could wildlife thrive in a radioactive environment?
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Confronting trauma with virtual reality therapy

Post-traumatic stress disorder is sadly all too common in returning service personnel. Thankfully, there’s growing evidence that VR can provide an effective treatment for PTSD.
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Missile threat? Don’t panic, tweet

Researchers studying the 2018's false alarm in Hawaii discovered 'social milling' helped people verify the warning.
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A history of cyber-surveillance

After ongoing allegations of Russian interference in America’s presidential elections, it’s worth remembering that the US has long acquired, used and misused information on enemies and allies. Indeed, many countries dabble in a bit of cyber-surveillance – and it looks set to continue in 2019
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Made in (ancient) China: amazing inventions from the Far East

Far from plastic tat, these marvellous devices invented in ancient China show how the country has a rich history of technological progress.
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10 of the most mysterious codes and ciphers in history

Whether your sending messages from behind enemy lines or hiding codes in cat memes, ciphers have been used to deliver secret messages for centuries – here are some of the most mind-boggling.
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The thought experiment: How could I survive a nuclear bomb?

It's not looking good...
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1 November

From the days of ancient technology to modern science - find out what happened on this day in the history of science.
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What connects rats and landmines?

Rats in Mozambique, Cambodia and Angola have a very unique connection to explosives.
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What connects nuclear weapons and fine wine?

Next time you have a tipple, check for radioactivity.
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Print your own body parts

For people who are missing limbs, 3D printing can make new prosthetics – faster, cheaper and better. It could transform mobility for millions around the world, reports Ian Birrell.
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