Weaponology

Masters of stealth and lords of destruction, the US Navy SEALs is the most versatile special operations force in the world. Their evolution into the best of the best is uncovered.

In the air, on land and at sea, the US Marine Corps is the ultimate combined arms unit. The USMC developed from shipboard warriors of the 18th-century to an all-arms force operating in Iraq.

The Waffen-SS were Nazi Germany's ultimate warriors, armed with futuristic weapons and backed by an unrivaled fanaticism. The history of the men, machines and moments that shaped this feared fighting force is revealed.

The US airborne are America's sky soldiers. They strike from above, hitting the enemy hard and fast. The men, machines and moments that shaped America's premier strike force are profiled.

US Army Rangers are men of steel forged in the fire of every major conflict from the beaches of D-day to the streets of Baghdad. Throughout time, the Rangers are always riding the cutting-edge of military technology.

Green Berets are the lords of unconventional warfare and the masters of multiple weapons systems. Throughout history, they have operated under the most extreme conditions.

With a motto that reads, "Who Dares Wins," the SAS are at the cutting-edge of global special forces operations. Their journey is traced from World War II raids to daring close-quarter combat with terrorists.

The Royal Marine Commandos attack the enemy amphibiously, in the mountains and skies and on land. Their journey is traced from the age of sail-raiding parties to the fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Extreme warriors are trained to live and fight in the harshest environments known to man, including exposed mountaintops, extreme altitudes, sub-zero temperatures and snowstorms.

Combat engineers build with one hand and destroy with the other. Generations of technology reveal how they became the most explosive warriors the world has ever seen.

Gathered from around the world, Legionnaires leave their past lives behind to fight for the glory of France. The Legion's development from the soldiers who built the French Empire to the elite infantry deployed in Iraq is traced.

Of all the world's Special Ops Forces, the Russian Spetsnaz is the most shrouded in secrecy. Their creed is simple - always be more ruthless, more ferocious, more aggressive than the enemy. Their missions range from counterterrorism to assassination.

Israeli commandos are the most battle-hardened military elite force in the world. There's a commando unit for every type of mission, from hostage rescue to preemptive strikes, all practiced to the point of perfection.