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DISCOVERY SCIENCE REVEALS THE INNOVATION AND FIRE-PACKED POWER OF THE WORLD’S MOST ELITE FIGHTING UNITS IN WEAPONOLOGY

Weapons technology has progressed from catapults to laser-guided weapons through a combination of ingenious inventions, lateral thinking, battlefield experience and no small degree of luck. But the line of fire from early innovative weaponry to modern super weapons is rarely a simple family tree. Discover the great leaps that designers have made in military technology over the last centuries in WEAPONOLOGY 2, premiering every <day> at <time>, starting <date>. Encores <date, time>.

The new season of WEAPONOLOGY takes a look at the world's elite fighting units. From last century’s World Wars to present day battles in Afghanistan, witness the use of state-of-the-art equipment and shrewd military strategy from enemy lines, and the mentality and dedication of uniformed forces that will stop at nothing to protect their nation’s interest.

Travel back through generations of technology to find out how the United States Marine Corps (USMC), the Green Berets, Navy SEALs and other legendary military units developed the weapons that led them to victory.

WEAPONOLOGY 2 episode descriptions:

Navy SEALs

The Navy SEALs is the most versatile special operations force in the world. SEALs teams smash their enemies from land, sea and air using cutting edge combat tactics and equipment. They can handle any mission in the military playbook, packing a multitude of specially developed weapons and techniques that's second to none: deadly suppressed pistols, sophisticated machine guns, clandestine mini-subs and extreme altitude parachute insertion. Now WEAPONOLOGY traces the SEALs' development from search and destroy missions in the jungles of Vietnam to hunting the Taliban in the highlands of Afghanistan.

USMC

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is the ultimate combined arms force. It's a well-oiled military machine that unites beach assault vehicles, devastating air support and battle-hardened riflemen. Born in the ferment of the American Revolution, the USMC went on to become the cornerstone of US victory in the Pacific. Pioneers of amphibious assault and close air support, the USMC has continually evolved its equipment and tactics to stay ahead of its enemies. WEAPONOLOGY traces the USMC's development from the shipboard warriors of the 18th century to the ultimate all arms force operating in Iraq today.

Waffen SS

The Waffen SS were Nazi Germany's ultimate warriors - their brutal reputation earned in blood during World War Two. Adolf Hitler's elite units destroyed their enemies with futuristic weapons systems backed up by an unrivalled fanaticism. From their early history as street fighters, WEAPONOLOGY takes you back through time to take a closer look at the men, machines and moments that shaped Hitler's henchmen.

US Airborne

The US Airborne consists of America's sky soldiers, hitting the combat zone from just 600 feet, striking their enemy hard and fast. WEAPONOLOGY takes you back through time to take a closer look at the men, machines and moments that shaped this elite fighting unit. From their illustrious history during World War Two, it's time to go ballistic with the original band of brothers.

Rangers

The Rangers are the hammer and anvil of the US military might. Men of steel forged in the fire of every major conflict from the beaches of D-Day to the streets of Baghdad, Rangers are the elite assault and ambush team of the US Army. WEAPONOLOGY takes you back through time to show you how the Rangers always ride the cutting edge of military technology to get the job done. From the brutal but effective 17th century tomahawk to rocket powered grappling hooks, Rangers have got their hands on the best in military tech.

Green Berets

The Green Berets are shadow warriors, lords of unconventional warfare. Their mission is to train and raise armies behind enemy lines. From bolt-action rifles to the latest in hand-held laser technology, the Green Berets are the master of multiple weapons systems. WEAPONOLOGY takes you back through time to show you how the Green Berets rose out the ashes of World War Two to fight the clandestine conflicts of the Cold War and the post-9/11 world.

SAS

With a motto that reads “Who Dares Wins”, the SAS are at the cutting edge of global special forces operations. The SAS go in where it hurts to take out the trash using deep insertion behind enemy lines and have revolutionised the global war on terrorism. They select only the best of the best, train using state of the art techniques and their operations have made legend of submachine guns, pistols and grenades employed. Now WEAPONOLOGY traces the SAS' journey from World War Two raid and destroy missions to daring close quarter combats with terrorists.

Royal Marine Commandos

From a bulldog nation with a bulldog spirit, the Royal Marine Commandos are pups that love to bite. Training longer and harder than any other Special Forces unit, they are an all-terrain tsunami, attacking the enemy amphibiously, in the mountains, skies and on land. Military chameleons - their weaponary ranges from daggers and suppressed submachine guns for stealth killings to large base of fire weapons with massive fire power for longer range deployments. Now WEAPONOLOGY traces the Royal Marine Commandos’ journey from sail raiding parties to Taliban combats in Afghanistan.

Extreme Warriors

The Extreme Warriors are trained to live and fight in the harshest environments known to man - exposed mountaintops, extreme altitude, sub-zero temperatures and snowstorms. This unique family of Warriors is dominated by the Arctic & Mountain Troops. In World War Two, Arctic Troops equipped with skis, snowsuits and camouflaged weapons played a major role in defeating German forces. In the 21st century, Special Forces Mountain Troops have taken on the Taliban in Afghanistan. WEAPONOLOGY unlocks the Extreme Warriors family tree, going back through generations of technology to discover how ropes, helicopters, mules and mountain guns resulted in an elite force that's lean, mean and totally extreme.

US Combat Engineers

The US Combat Engineers build with one hand, and destroy with the other. First onto the battlefield they have got the nuts and bolts to build bridges, blow up obstacles, diffuse landmines, take out bunkers and detect I.E.D's. Most of the time, they do all this under intense enemy fire. Now WEAPONOLOGY will unlock the Combat Engineers family tree, going back through generations of technology to reveal how castle defences, World War One trenches, Vietcong tunnel systems and bridge laying vehicles resulted in the most explosive Corp of Warriors the world has ever seen.

French Foreign Legion

Gathered from the four corners of the globe, the Legionnaires leave their past lives behind to fight for the glory of France. Forged through 180 years of the toughest infantry combat, the Legionnaires have harnessed the cream of French military ingenuity to take the fight to the enemy. Ground-breaking combat rifles, devastating artillery and an esprit de corps that's second to none - all have combined to build the legend of the French Foreign Legion. Now WEAPONOLOGY traces the French Foreign Legion's development from the soldiers who built the French Empire to the elite infantry deployed in 21st century Iraq.

Spetsnaz

The Spetsnaz are Russia's elite fighting force. From counter terrorist strike squads to special operations experts spearheading the Red Army, these ultimate warriors strike hard and fast. They kill for the Kremlin with weapons systems that are rugged, reliable and undeniably Russian and are impossible to defeat, forged out of the most brutal military training regime ever created. From their battles against the Nazis during the World War Two to taking out the terrorist during the Beslan school siege, WEAPONOLOGY takes you back through time for a closer look at the men of steel that became known as 'Mother Russia's Pit Bulls.'

Israeli Commandos

The Israeli Commandos are the most battle hardened military elite in the world. There's a commando unit for every type of mission, from hostage rescue to pre-emptive strike, all practiced to the point of perfection. Always outnumbered and always surrounded, the Israeli Commandos have the best equipment and weapons to even up the fight. WEAPONOLOGY takes you back through time to show you how the Israeli elite warrior helped found the State of Israel, and continues to defend it against the threats from international terrorism and hostile neighbours.

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Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is the world’s number one nonfiction media company reaching more than 1.5 billion cumulative subscribers in over 170 countries. Discovery empowers people to explore their world and satisfy their curiosity through 100-plus worldwide networks, led by Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science and Discovery HD, as well as leading consumer and educational products and services, and a diversified portfolio of digital media services including HowStuffWorks.com. In Asia-Pacific, seven Discovery brands reach 459 million cumulative subscribers in 32 countries with programming customized in 10 languages.