Machinery & Gear | War History

NR-1: The Smallest Nuclear Submarine In US Military History

NR-1 anchored at port

Submarines are typically built to house a sizeable crew, given the amount of time they’re expected to serve beneath the ocean’s surface. There was one,…

The 50-Year Battle to Clear Charles McVay III In the Sinking of the USS Indianapolis (CA-35)

USS Indianapolis (CA-35) at sea + Military portrait of Charles McVay III

The USS Indianapolis (CA-35) was a Portland-class heavy cruiser commissioned by the US Navy in 1932. She was the flagship of Scouting Force 1 prior to the…

The Republic F-84 Thunderjet Was the ‘Champ of the Fighter-Bombers’

Four Republic F-84B Thunderjets in flight

The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American jet-powered fighter-bomber. Primarily flown by the US Air Force from 1947-64, it suffered many issues during its development…

The Degtyaryov Light Machine Gun’s Pan Magazine Made It Immediately Recognizable On the Battlefield

Degtyaryov DP-27 light machine gun on display

The Degtyaryov became the standard Soviet infantry light machine gun shortly after being introduced to the Red Army during the interwar period. While it had…

The USS Lexington Wreck Was Discovered Over 75 Years After the Battle of the Coral Sea

USS Lexington (CV-2) at sea

The sinking of the USS Lexington (CV-2) was one of many to occur during the Second World War, and her wreck has remained on the seafloor…

RPD Machine Gun: The Soviet-Era Weapon That’s Seen Nearly 80 Years of Action

Australian soldier firing an RPD Machine Gun

The Soviet Union developed a number of effective machine guns during World War II and the Cold War. Some were only used for a short…

The Devastating Fire That Caused $700 Million In Damages to the USS Miami (SSN-755) and Forced Her Decommissioning

Sailors standing atop the USS Miami (SSN-755) while at port + Flames

The submarine USS Miami (SSN-755) was decommissioned as a result of a planned fire that caused significant damage. Although there appeared to be no malicious…

Puckle Gun: The Early Machine Gun That Fired Both Round and Square Bullets

Puckle Gun replica on display

Many consider the Maxim to be the world’s first machine gun – and they’re technically not wrong. Developed in 1884, it was the first automatic…

SS Normandie: The French Ocean Liner Lost to a Suspicious Fire During World War II

SS Normandie at sea

The SS Normandie was one of the grandest ocean liners to see service during the 1930s. When the Second World War broke out, she found…

A B-2 Spirit Was the Victim of the Most Expensive Crash in US Air Force History – $1.4 Billion!

Charred remains of the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit 'Spirit of Kansas'

Undoubtedly, the United States has put a large amount of money into its Air Force between improving aerial technology, funding production and, of course, dealing…

Four Men Aboard the USS California (BB-44) Were Awarded the Medal of Honor

USS California (BB-44) at sea

The attack on Pearl Harbor was disastrous for American vessels, particularly those moored along Battleship Row. The nine were the primary targets of the Japanese,…

Sprint Missile: The ABM That Traveled So Fast a Plasma Ring Formed Around It

Samantha Franco
Sprint missile being launched + Sprint missile preparing to be launched

After years of speculation and planning, the US military began developing an anti-ballistic missile (ABM) that could intercept Soviet re-entry vehicles (RVs). Called the Sprint…