Combat Countdown (2012) s01e02 Episode Script
Ultimate Firepower
narrator: on the battlefield, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to one thing -- superior firepower.
having the advantage in firepower is absolutely essential.
narrator: whether the fight is up close and personal whenever that gun shoots it'll knock your teeth out.
narrator: or over the horizon, firepower is a decisive factor.
you can run as far as you want, you can hide as deep as you want.
you're just gonna die dirty and tired.
narrator: so we're analyzing the most devastating weapon systems across every class of gear from the legendary browning m2 to the mighty panzer 2000 and the awesome kirov battle cruiser to find out what wields ultimate firepower.
pilot: we're engaging.
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS English Sbutitles Collected and Modified By: narrator: in battle, the guy with the biggest stick is the guy who comes out on top.
hudson: whatever the enemy is gonna throw at you, you're gonna throw something bigger back.
narrator: with the help of military experts, we're going to examine the most devastating gear on the planet.
there's a certain benefit of just sheer strength and the ability to project power with guns.
narrator: each machine will be assessed on a balance of service record versatility design ingenuity and rank within their class to determine our definitive top 10.
man: roger.
narrator: at number 10, the gun that's done more winning than any other weapon in modern history -- the browning m2 heavy machine gun.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $14,000.
weight -- 84 pounds.
length -- 65 inches.
any discussion of firepower has to include the browning.
the browning m2 is a great gun.
the bloody thing works, regardless of condition.
god, i love this weapon.
man: go, go, go, go! narrator: the m2, or "ma deuce" to the soldiers who carry her into battle, dominates the battleground.
here we got what ends the battle.
laying down a devastating hail of fire at a rate of 550 rounds a minute.
accurate, deadly -- anything you need it to be.
distance is no defense.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the weapon is lethal out past 2,000 yards.
even being inside a vehicle is no protection.
when a .
50-caliber round enters to a light-armored target, the inside of that target -- the crew compartment -- becomes covered with shrapnel and spall.
that spall is absolutely lethal.
[ machine-gun fire .]
narrator: what makes the weapon even more impressive is that ma deuce is almost 100 years old.
this is a world war i weapon that we're still using today because it's just so effective.
narrator: the design dates back to 1918, but it's still the weapon of choice for the u.
s.
army's cutting-edge crows remote-weapon system, fitted to both strykers and the very latest mrap vehicles.
[ engine revs .]
the army loves this weapon for its highly accurate long-range capabilities.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the key to the weapon's incredible performance is the massive 12.
7-millimeter-caliber, 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
[ gun cocks .]
2.
2 grams of propellant smashes the bullet through the air at more than twice the speed of sound.
[ machine-gun fire .]
and the big bullet's terrific mass keeps it steady in flight all the way to the target.
and accurate.
ain't got that problem.
the m2 .
50-cal round is heavy, it's fast, and has an extremely long range.
that means when it hits the target, it's gonna be gone.
narrator: maybe the m2's most important incarnation has been as a vehicle-mounted weapon.
it's mounted on aircraft, it's mounted on tanks, it's mounted on armored personnel carriers, it's mounted on the ground.
narrator: whether it's on wheels, water, or even wings, the ma deuce's stopping power makes it perfect for dishing out destruction to enemy hardware.
it's so important that no army would be without one.
m2 browning ma deuce .
50-cal machine gun.
[ gun cocks .]
narrator: seems like ma deuce isn't feeling her age.
the browning's service record is simply without equal.
it's effective against a range of targets.
the design is simple but effective.
the m2 is the world's greatest heavy machine gun.
overall, the ma deuce earns enough for the number-10 position.
at number 9, the deadly soviet bomber with the firepower to level cities -- the tu-160 blackjack.
origin -- soviet union.
cost -- $108 million.
weight -- 275 tons.
length -- 177 feet.
the tu-160 blackjack is the ace of spades in the russian aerial armory, capable of carrying up to 12 nuclear missiles at more than twice the speed of sound.
supersonic, sweptwing, extremely fastcarry cruise missiles.
very dangerous platform.
with the kind of weapons load it would have carried, you could have taken out multiple targets in a single strike.
narrator: the tu-160's internal bomb bay can carry 40 tons of ordnance.
that's the weight of four buses packed with bombs.
hoyle: with 40 tons of weapons, you could do a lot of damage with that sort of payload.
the tu-160 has exceptional destructive power because of the range of weapon systems it can carry and deliver with great accuracy.
narrator: with enough firepower stowed to level a city, getting the blackjack in the air is a big problem.
the supersonic speedster's streamline profile doesn't generate enough lift for takeoff.
so to get that devastating bombload airborne, the tu-160 uses variable geometry.
for taking to the skies, the tu-160 spreads its wings wide.
the 180-foot span's straight wings provide the lift it needs for heavy hauling at low speeds.
once the blackjack has gained altitude, the wings swing back 45 degrees, making it deadly sleek.
next stop -- mach 2.
3.
at these supersonic speeds, the blackjack can reach targets 4,000 miles away in just a few hours.
for air-defense networks, a deep-penetration bomber moving so fast is a nightmare.
it would have been very difficult for friendly air forces to get aircraft into the air to intercept a tu-160 if it was flying low and fast.
it could get there quickly, drop its cruise missiles, and head back as fast as it could possibly go and would be very difficult to catch, even for a fighter.
narrator: the blackjack's service record doesn't include much combat.
versatility is boosted by the range of payloads it can carry.
the design is highly innovative.
the tu-160 is up there with the best in its class.
overall, the blackjack earns enough for the number-9 position.
still to come firepower that will blow you away.
the zsu-23-4 is a really dangerous adversary.
narrator: next up in the "ultimate firepower" countdown, at number 8, the most versatile, deadly personal weapon a soldier can carry onto the modern battlefield the heckler & koch 417 assault rifle.
origin -- germany.
cost -- $4,000.
weight -- 10 pounds.
length -- 43 inches.
[ gunshot .]
these crack mountain troops from norway's telemark regiment are conducting a battle simulation to showcase the versatile weapon's capabilities.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the 417 might not look like it belongs in the firepower countdown but it earns its place with unmatched versatility.
with a 16-inch barrel, it provides an unbeatable balance of quick handling and deadly accuracy.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the selective fire capability means it can switch from single shot to spew lethal nato 7.
62-millimeter bullets.
and when it's time to take the offensive [ machine-gun fire .]
[ shouting in native language.]
the 10-pound assault rifle can undergo a radical transformation.
faced with an operation that demands long-range accuracy the 417 can mount a longer, accurized 20-inch barrel for shooting out to distances of 1,000 yards.
[ gun cocks .]
you can take on adversaries in an urban combat zone [ gunfire .]
and you can fight in open country.
narrator: the 7.
62-millimeter bullets are twice as heavy as nato standard rounds, keeping them steady in flight.
one shot, one kill.
[ gunshot .]
[ gunfire .]
faced with the prospect of a close-quarters assault on an enemy compound, most sniping weapons would be useless [ explosion .]
but not the 417.
[ gunfire .]
for getting up close and personal, the h&k can employ a short, 12-inch barrel, providing deadly quick handling.
the muzzle velocity of 2,000 feet per second is more than fast enough to punch through walls or body armor.
adams: the weapon reflects anxieties of the 21st century that the idea of war and defense and security have become blurred.
[ shouting in native language .]
narrator: no matter where the battle takes place, this gun can do the business.
the h&k has already seen considerable service.
versatility is unmatched in its class.
the design is highly innovative.
it's definitely a contender for leading its class.
overall, the 417 earns enough for the number-8 position.
at number 7, the most feared anti-aircraft system of all timethe zsu-23-4.
origin -- soviet union.
cost -- $2 million.
weight -- 20 tons.
length -- 21 feet.
when aircraft attack, they unleash devastating firepower then disappear in seconds leaving ordinary soldiers powerless to respond.
the zsu-23-4 shilka is the red army's equalizer, and it's been in business for nearly 50 years.
the zsu-23-4 is a really dangerous adversary.
narrator: more than 6,500 of these mobile killing machines have been produced and exported all over the world.
that means, wherever trouble starts, you can be sure to find a shilka.
we've encountered them in libya, we've encountered them in the balkans, we've encountered them in iraq, and some were left behind in afghanistan.
narrator: in a conventional army, they work in pairs, right behind the front line of tanks.
so we knew that if we ever had to attack a tank column, the first threat would have been the zsu-23-4.
they had to be eliminated.
narrator: their radar-guided guns create an 8,200-feet-radius invisible dome around an advancing force.
any attacking aircraft straying into that dome is toast.
as a pilot, when you see zsu-23-4s, you better hope that you're up high.
they own the lower level of the airspace.
narrator: the business end of the shilka is the quad-mounted 23-millimeter cannon.
the four barrels take turns firing to prevent overheating as the zsu unleashes its hailstorm of 4,000 explosive rounds a minute.
the zsu-23-4 would absolutely put out a sheet of lead.
no one wanted to fly into that.
narrator: it doesn't matter how fast a plane is flying.
shilka's narrow-band radar detects attackers 14 miles out and tracks the movement.
the guns automatically swing to lead the target, compensating for speed, so the explosive shells fill the patch of sky where that plane is going to be.
but the shilka isn't just a plane buster.
turn it straight down and now you've got the most effective anti-personnel weapon you've ever seen.
narrator: in afghanistan, the russians used this ability to annihilate guerilla fighters attacking from the mountains.
the high rate of fire that's put out by 23-4 would have been absolutely lethal.
the zsu's distinguished service record goes back 50 years.
it can engage ground targets, as well as aircraft.
the design was a world first.
the 23-4 was the most feared anti-aircraft system of its time.
overall, the shilka earns enough for the number-7 position.
still to come the most fearsome firepower on the modern battlefield.
what it's protecting is a very expensive asset.
narrator: coming in at number 6 in the "ultimate firepower" countdown, the united states infantry's solution to busting hard targets -- the stryker mobile gun system.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $5 million.
weight -- 18 tons.
length -- 24 feet.
when the u.
s.
army made the decision to mount the infantry in super fast stryker apcs they realized they were going to need heavy firepower that could keep up.
having the advantage in firepower is absolutely essential.
narrator: powered by its cat c7 turbo-diesel engine the stryker mobile gun system is literally the fastest gun in the west.
it's going to do the job of a main battle tank but is much lighter in weight.
narrator: this truck is capable of speeds unheard of in a tank.
it can reach speeds of 70 miles an hour.
narrator: as soon as the front-line fighters call for help, the stryker's deadly, 104-millimeter gun can be on hand in minutes, unleashing shells at a speed of 1,500 yards per second.
whenever that gun shoots, it'll knock your teeth out.
it's just that powerful of a weapon.
[ gunshot .]
narrator: to accommodate the deadly cannon, the 24-foot-long stryker has an additional turret, increasing its height by 3 feet.
man: this is the showstopper.
this thing will take out tanks, it'll take out personnel carriers, it'll take out troops, it'll take out hardened bunkers, it'll take out anything you can think of.
i could blow that building up.
narrator: if you're at the wrong end of the 19-foot-long barrel, the stryker mobile-gun system really is hell on wheels.
at the push of a button, the crew can summon up to four different kinds of ammunition for taking on different kinds of target.
man: we have apds, which stands for "armor-piercing discarding sabot.
" that is what we use for tanks and armored vehicles.
sabot carries essentially a tungsten-alloy dart.
it has a lot of kinetic energy because it's traveling at about 1,600 meters per second.
narrator: the deadly dart will slice through tank armor at ranges up to a mile and a half.
man: we have "hep," which stands for "high-explosive plastic.
" it's basically used for busting up bunkers.
and last is anti-personnel, which is a huge shotgun round that's got 2,068 tungsten bbs in it that turn people into goo.
narrator: in combat, gunner and commander collaborate to engage up to 10 different targets per minute.
while my gunner is engaging in destroying other targets, i can actually use this monitor through a camera located on the top of the truck and find other targets for him, 'cause i can designate what target he's gonna shoot at next, simply by pushing this button.
as you can see, the turret moves automatically to what i was aiming at, without the gunner having to do anything.
narrator: target locked, the 105-millimeter canister round unleashes the storm of 2,068 ball bearings with a deafening roar.
the mobile gun system is already proving itself effective.
it can engage a range of targets.
the design is an adaptation from earlier models.
the stryker heads a crowded field.
overall, the mgs earns enough for the number-6 position.
at number 5, a weapon that literally fills the sky with lead the goalkeeper close-in weapon system.
origin -- netherlands.
cost -- $22 million.
weight -- 7 tons.
length -- 20 feet.
in order to demonstrate the awesome power of the goalkeeper, a naval strike missile has been fired at the dutch navy frigate evertsen.
in this battle simulation, their very survival hangs on the goalkeeper close-in weapon system, or ciws.
the radar-guided, 6-ton gun can annihilate any threat in the sky in seconds with a hail of 200 high-velocity rounds.
the stakes are very high 'cause what it's protecting is a very expensive asset, indeed.
narrator: the stealthy naval-strike missile isn't detected until it's 8 miles out.
this is echo-424-428, exercise 250.
out.
[ whistle blows .]
[ alarm blaring .]
narrator: at the speed it's traveling, it will impact the evertsen in half a minute.
intent to engage with goalkeeper.
engage with goalkeeper -- captain approved.
narrator: goalkeeper is up.
the 7-barrel, 30-millimeter rotary cannon is the only thing standing between this crew and total devastation.
the attacker is still out of range, but the 12-foot-high weapon rotates, ready to face the threat.
its powerful, 77-horsepower servomotors enable the gun to make lightning-fast turns to adjust for the missile's movement.
it turns 90 degrees in one second fires 4,200 rounds per minute.
hazell: it's able to fire these projectiles up to velocities of 1,100 meters per second.
narrator: 4 miles out, 15 seconds to impact, the missile enters goalkeeper's range.
built-in computer systems use the 2d "i" band radar to acquire a target.
goalkeeper predicts where the missile is going to be and aims to fill that piece of sky with slugs carrying 22-millimeter, subcaliber tungsten penetrators.
all it needs is just one of those fragments to pierce the structure of the incoming missile.
narrator: 10 seconds to impact.
one of goalkeeper's two advanced radars keeps track of more than 30 incoming missiles at once.
the other one aims the gun.
and the gun destroys the missile.
goalkeeper -- now, that's what you call a great save.
the rarity of attacks on warships means service record is limited.
the ability to engage aircraft or missiles scores for versatility.
the design ingenuity is exceptional.
goalkeeper is a class leader.
overall, the goalkeeper ciws earns enough for the number-5 position.
coming upmore firepower than you can handle.
adams: in 1984, when these first appeared, that really frightened the u.
s.
navy.
narrator: counting down the most devastating weapons on the planet.
at number 4, the most heavily armed ship ever to come out from behind the iron curtain -- the kirov-class missile cruiser.
origin -- soviet union.
cost -- classified.
weight -- 24,000 tons.
length -- 827 feet.
at the height of the cold war, the u.
s.
navy dominated the world's oceans by amassing the world's second-largest air force and deploying it on aircraft carriers.
the soviet response was firepower.
the kirov-class missile cruiser is 24,000 tons of it.
huston: the kirov has a lot of firepower -- vertically launched cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles.
the kirov class is an important offensive weapon system because it can project power.
narrator: when the kirov class first emerged in the early 1980s, it was an unpleasant surprise for u.
s.
naval forces.
in 1984, when these first appeared, that really frightened the u.
s.
navy.
narrator: the reagan administration met the kirov threat head-on by bringing their own metal monoliths out of retirement.
it was because of the launching of the kirov that the u.
s.
decided to bring back its battleships.
narrator: america's armor-plated relics of world war ii were the only ships that could withstand a barrage of guided missiles.
the most fearsome weapon the kirov class carries is cunningly concealed from the casual observer.
the devastating battery of 20 ss-n-19 missile launchers looks like nothing more than some square hatches lined up on the ship's deck.
but beneath each of these innocent-looking doors lurks a 10-meter-long, 7-ton p-700 granite anti-ship missile.
they're bigger than some fighter planes and can deliver nearly a ton of explosive at almost twice the speed of sound.
huston: if it got in range of a series of surface ships, it could do a lot of damage.
narrator: winning wars isn't just about offense but as they say in mother russia, the best defense is a strong offense -- more firepower.
eight 6-barreled radar-guided ak-630 rotary cannons can knock incoming missiles out of the sky and 10 anti-submarine torpedo tubes, backed up by another 22 anti-submarine rocket launchers, make the vicinity of a kirov cruiser a no-go area for underwater attackers.
the really bad news? this ship carries another four complete weapon systems we haven't even mentioned yet -- another two guns another 500 missiles and for total destruction, the mighty battle cruiser carries 14 cruise missiles that can be nuclear-tipped.
the kirovs have been a constant threat since 1980.
the ability to engage targets on land, sea, or air scores for versatility.
the design is exceptionally bold and uncompromising.
there are no direct western equivalents of the kirov.
overall, the kirov earns enough for the number-4 position.
at number 3, the most deadly helicopter gunship of all time -- the ah-64 apache.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $18 million.
weight -- 8 tons.
length -- 58 feet.
the awesome arsenal of tank-busting agm-114 hellfire missiles and 70-millimeter rockets provides decisive firepower.
hudson: it's the best feeling to be the biggest guy on the battlefield, to be the dude running around with the biggest stick, ready to take it to the enemy.
apache is absolutely the most lethal aircraft in the air.
narrator: this destructive capability, mounted on an airframe, armored against cannon fire up to 23 millimeters, makes the ah-64 one of the most feared machines on the modern battlefield.
you can run as far as you want, you can hide as deep as you want.
you're just gonna die dirty and tired.
mcfadden: just having the apaches overhead, the enemy knows we're there, and they'll stop.
narrator: it doesn't just hit hard.
the weapon systems are accurate up to distances up to 5 miles.
hudson: whatever you're aiming a laser at is going to die immediately and explosively.
narrator: today, ace pilot joe hudson is engaging in a combat simulation to demonstrate the apache's devastating destructive potential.
hudson: if anybody actually found out how much fun this was, everybody would try to do it.
narrator: when joe puts on the helmet, he is directly linked to the aircraft's targeting systems.
he can see whatever the chopper's enhanced optics see.
and the lethal 30-millimeter hughes chain gun tracks the movement of the pilot's eyes.
by simply looking at the target, a gun will follow and slue, automatically correct for range and elevation.
narrator: looks really can kill.
even night offers no protection from the apache's awesome firepower.
hudson: you can identify a person with an ak-47 from over 3,000 meters away in pitch-black.
narrator: in afghanistan, taliban planting bombs on convoy routes have been learning this the hard way.
[ gunshot .]
to use the apache's arsenal effectively, the crews must constantly hone their skills.
mcfadden: when you look at the effectiveness the apache has in combat, it's worth every hour of training.
the live firing range at fort bliss, texas, is 1.
2 million acres of open desert dedicated to perfecting the art of destruction.
first up is the hughes m230 chain gun.
the target, an armored vehicle, is shredded in seconds in a hail of 30-millimeter explosive shells.
[ gunfire .]
next, the hydra 70-millimeter unguided rockets.
when the apache has to level a fortified building, bunker, or enemy strongpoint, this is what they use.
joe knows firsthand just how devastating this kind of firepower can be on the battlefield.
i've had the privilege of taking the ah-64 to combat twice.
we can bring a raging firefight to a screeching halt just by showing up on station.
narrator: the apache has been a pivotal player in every major conflict since its creation.
it's highly versatile, performing a variety of mission types.
the range of innovative design features is truly impressive.
the apache is the world's premier helicopter gunship.
overall, the ah-64 earns enough for the number-3 position.
still to comethe final word in ultimate firepower.
it can shoot a car 25 to 30 miles.
that's just unbelievable.
[ gunfire .]
narrator: we're down to the final two in the "ultimate firepower" countdown.
at number 2, the most powerful conventional-artillery system on the modern battlefield -- the panzer 2000.
origin -- germany.
cost -- $4.
5 million.
weight -- 55 tons.
length -- 38 feet.
the pzh 2000 is 55 tons of destruction.
panzer 2000 is an awesome weapon.
there's so much explosive that a 155 shell can carry, there's not really a lot you can do to protect against it.
narrator: the massive gun can fire three high-explosive shells, each capable of flattening a big house, in just 9 seconds.
today, the men of the munster artillery regiment are demonstrating the firepower of this awesome $4.
5 million war machine.
the first job is feeding the beast.
[ explosion .]
with a sustained rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute, this howitzer has one hell of an appetite for ammo.
for any ordinary big gun, stocking up is a lengthy, labor-intensive process.
but with the pzh 2000's automated loading mechanism, a crew of just 2 can load 60 shells in less than 12 minutes.
what makes this 38-foot-long weapon so devastating is that it doesn't just hit hard.
it hits fast, too switching from 27-mile-per-hour cross-country to combat-ready in moments.
in under 30 seconds, the crew can stop, gather the data, put the firing data to the gun, and get a round out the tube.
narrator: firing shells up to 25 miles, the 2000 wreak destruction well beyond line of sight.
hazell: it's very difficult to defend against because the gun that's fired at you is so far away from you as the target, then you've got no way of responding to it initially.
narrator: with a single push of a button, a round is transported from the magazine to the loading bay and then into the breach of the massive, 8-yard-long gun, ready for firing the 155-millimeter high-explosive shell, arced to the target, at speeds up to 930 yards per second.
one of these shells could potentially kill a main battle tank with a single shot.
but the 2000 doesn't stop there.
it's capable of multiple-round simultaneous impact -- mrsi.
after each shot, the howitzer can lower its barrel fractionally to send the next shot flying to the same target on a flatter, faster trajectory.
the 2000 can put five shells in the air at once and land all five in the same place at the same time.
you're gonna get fragments that are gonna be traveling at supersonic speeds.
but also, you're gonna get a blast wave.
it's gonna pick up stuff, and it's gonna throw it distances.
that's gonna be quite devastating on the target.
[ explosion .]
narrator: result -- total destruction.
the panzer 2000 has already provided impressive fire support in afghanistan.
its versatility means it can engage tanks, infantry, or even ships.
the design sets new standards for artillery.
there are other strong contenders, but the 2000 is a world leader.
overall, the mighty howitzer earns enough for the number-2 position.
[ gunfire .]
whether it's on planes, tanks, ships, or even handheld weapons there's no doubting that firepower can be a decisive factor.
accurate, deadly -- anything you need it to be.
but when you figure in all the key elements only one war machine can truly be said to deliver ultimate firepower.
at number 1, the iowa-class battleship.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $100 million.
weight -- 57,500 tons.
length -- 887 feet.
with nine 16-inch guns the four battleships of the iowa class were capable of lobbing 2,700-pound shells distances more than 24 miles.
it can shoot a car 25 to 30 miles.
that's just unbelievable.
[ chuckling .]
i mean, how do you do that? narrator: a single one of these can flatten an area the size of a football field.
huston: i think there's a certain benefit to a navy of just sheer strength and the ability to project power with guns.
narrator: when all nine guns of an iowa class shoot in a single broadside, the blast wave alone could be deadly to anything on deck.
[ explosion .]
these steel-clad behemoths were born in world war ii to provide high-speed, long-range firepower.
the big guns played a vital role in some of the pacific campaign's most pivotal battles, including the assaults on okinawa and iwo jima.
but by the end of the war, everyone thought that the age of the battleship was coming to an end.
the americans had thought that big battleships were a thing of the past, and, indeed, they were.
narrator: everyone was wrong.
the iowa class kept coming back for more.
in korea and vietnam, the big guns proved their worth time and again.
but in the early 1980s, the soviet navy unleashed the mighty kirov-class battle cruisers.
the kirov class achieved something straightaway.
they forced the americans to react.
narrator: to counter the kirov, the u.
s.
navy put the world war ii veteran battlewagons through a radical makeover and tricked them out with enough state-of-the-art firepower to level a small country.
essentially, they're just massive, floating hunks of unsinkable metal that they fitted out with next-generation weapons.
narrator: new phalanx defense guns and surface-to-air missiles made the iowas a prickly target for aerial attackers, and surface-to-surface missiles gave them the capability to engage targets even beyond the range of the big guns.
the icing on the cake came in the form of tomahawk cruise missiles.
[ whoosh .]
once you bring the iowa up to date, it's the powerful warship ever conceived of 'cause they don't build ships like that anymore.
narrator: with these $1.
4 million munitions, the iowas could hit targets on the other side of a continent, and they could be nuclear-tipped.
[ explosion .]
intercontinental ballistic missiles might deliver a bigger hit but in terms of all-around firepower against targets on land, sea, and air nothing created can match the might of the iowa-class battleship.
the iowa's distinguished service record goes back to the final years of world war ii.
there is nowhere to hide from its plethora of weapon systems.
updating a classic for modern warfare is a design masterstroke.
no battleship can match the modern iowa's awesome power.
overall, the iowa does more than enough to earn the number-1 spot.
every soldier, sailor, or airman wants to have the edge in firepower [ gas hissing .]
and in this countdown, we've analyzed some of the most devastating weapons on the planet.
from number 10 all the way down to number 2, there are strong contenders, but there's no doubt about the winner -- the iowa-class battleship.
having the advantage in firepower is absolutely essential.
narrator: whether the fight is up close and personal whenever that gun shoots it'll knock your teeth out.
narrator: or over the horizon, firepower is a decisive factor.
you can run as far as you want, you can hide as deep as you want.
you're just gonna die dirty and tired.
narrator: so we're analyzing the most devastating weapon systems across every class of gear from the legendary browning m2 to the mighty panzer 2000 and the awesome kirov battle cruiser to find out what wields ultimate firepower.
pilot: we're engaging.
CAPTIONS PAID FOR BY DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS English Sbutitles Collected and Modified By: narrator: in battle, the guy with the biggest stick is the guy who comes out on top.
hudson: whatever the enemy is gonna throw at you, you're gonna throw something bigger back.
narrator: with the help of military experts, we're going to examine the most devastating gear on the planet.
there's a certain benefit of just sheer strength and the ability to project power with guns.
narrator: each machine will be assessed on a balance of service record versatility design ingenuity and rank within their class to determine our definitive top 10.
man: roger.
narrator: at number 10, the gun that's done more winning than any other weapon in modern history -- the browning m2 heavy machine gun.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $14,000.
weight -- 84 pounds.
length -- 65 inches.
any discussion of firepower has to include the browning.
the browning m2 is a great gun.
the bloody thing works, regardless of condition.
god, i love this weapon.
man: go, go, go, go! narrator: the m2, or "ma deuce" to the soldiers who carry her into battle, dominates the battleground.
here we got what ends the battle.
laying down a devastating hail of fire at a rate of 550 rounds a minute.
accurate, deadly -- anything you need it to be.
distance is no defense.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the weapon is lethal out past 2,000 yards.
even being inside a vehicle is no protection.
when a .
50-caliber round enters to a light-armored target, the inside of that target -- the crew compartment -- becomes covered with shrapnel and spall.
that spall is absolutely lethal.
[ machine-gun fire .]
narrator: what makes the weapon even more impressive is that ma deuce is almost 100 years old.
this is a world war i weapon that we're still using today because it's just so effective.
narrator: the design dates back to 1918, but it's still the weapon of choice for the u.
s.
army's cutting-edge crows remote-weapon system, fitted to both strykers and the very latest mrap vehicles.
[ engine revs .]
the army loves this weapon for its highly accurate long-range capabilities.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the key to the weapon's incredible performance is the massive 12.
7-millimeter-caliber, 1/2-inch-thick rounds.
[ gun cocks .]
2.
2 grams of propellant smashes the bullet through the air at more than twice the speed of sound.
[ machine-gun fire .]
and the big bullet's terrific mass keeps it steady in flight all the way to the target.
and accurate.
ain't got that problem.
the m2 .
50-cal round is heavy, it's fast, and has an extremely long range.
that means when it hits the target, it's gonna be gone.
narrator: maybe the m2's most important incarnation has been as a vehicle-mounted weapon.
it's mounted on aircraft, it's mounted on tanks, it's mounted on armored personnel carriers, it's mounted on the ground.
narrator: whether it's on wheels, water, or even wings, the ma deuce's stopping power makes it perfect for dishing out destruction to enemy hardware.
it's so important that no army would be without one.
m2 browning ma deuce .
50-cal machine gun.
[ gun cocks .]
narrator: seems like ma deuce isn't feeling her age.
the browning's service record is simply without equal.
it's effective against a range of targets.
the design is simple but effective.
the m2 is the world's greatest heavy machine gun.
overall, the ma deuce earns enough for the number-10 position.
at number 9, the deadly soviet bomber with the firepower to level cities -- the tu-160 blackjack.
origin -- soviet union.
cost -- $108 million.
weight -- 275 tons.
length -- 177 feet.
the tu-160 blackjack is the ace of spades in the russian aerial armory, capable of carrying up to 12 nuclear missiles at more than twice the speed of sound.
supersonic, sweptwing, extremely fastcarry cruise missiles.
very dangerous platform.
with the kind of weapons load it would have carried, you could have taken out multiple targets in a single strike.
narrator: the tu-160's internal bomb bay can carry 40 tons of ordnance.
that's the weight of four buses packed with bombs.
hoyle: with 40 tons of weapons, you could do a lot of damage with that sort of payload.
the tu-160 has exceptional destructive power because of the range of weapon systems it can carry and deliver with great accuracy.
narrator: with enough firepower stowed to level a city, getting the blackjack in the air is a big problem.
the supersonic speedster's streamline profile doesn't generate enough lift for takeoff.
so to get that devastating bombload airborne, the tu-160 uses variable geometry.
for taking to the skies, the tu-160 spreads its wings wide.
the 180-foot span's straight wings provide the lift it needs for heavy hauling at low speeds.
once the blackjack has gained altitude, the wings swing back 45 degrees, making it deadly sleek.
next stop -- mach 2.
3.
at these supersonic speeds, the blackjack can reach targets 4,000 miles away in just a few hours.
for air-defense networks, a deep-penetration bomber moving so fast is a nightmare.
it would have been very difficult for friendly air forces to get aircraft into the air to intercept a tu-160 if it was flying low and fast.
it could get there quickly, drop its cruise missiles, and head back as fast as it could possibly go and would be very difficult to catch, even for a fighter.
narrator: the blackjack's service record doesn't include much combat.
versatility is boosted by the range of payloads it can carry.
the design is highly innovative.
the tu-160 is up there with the best in its class.
overall, the blackjack earns enough for the number-9 position.
still to come firepower that will blow you away.
the zsu-23-4 is a really dangerous adversary.
narrator: next up in the "ultimate firepower" countdown, at number 8, the most versatile, deadly personal weapon a soldier can carry onto the modern battlefield the heckler & koch 417 assault rifle.
origin -- germany.
cost -- $4,000.
weight -- 10 pounds.
length -- 43 inches.
[ gunshot .]
these crack mountain troops from norway's telemark regiment are conducting a battle simulation to showcase the versatile weapon's capabilities.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the 417 might not look like it belongs in the firepower countdown but it earns its place with unmatched versatility.
with a 16-inch barrel, it provides an unbeatable balance of quick handling and deadly accuracy.
[ machine-gun fire .]
the selective fire capability means it can switch from single shot to spew lethal nato 7.
62-millimeter bullets.
and when it's time to take the offensive [ machine-gun fire .]
[ shouting in native language.]
the 10-pound assault rifle can undergo a radical transformation.
faced with an operation that demands long-range accuracy the 417 can mount a longer, accurized 20-inch barrel for shooting out to distances of 1,000 yards.
[ gun cocks .]
you can take on adversaries in an urban combat zone [ gunfire .]
and you can fight in open country.
narrator: the 7.
62-millimeter bullets are twice as heavy as nato standard rounds, keeping them steady in flight.
one shot, one kill.
[ gunshot .]
[ gunfire .]
faced with the prospect of a close-quarters assault on an enemy compound, most sniping weapons would be useless [ explosion .]
but not the 417.
[ gunfire .]
for getting up close and personal, the h&k can employ a short, 12-inch barrel, providing deadly quick handling.
the muzzle velocity of 2,000 feet per second is more than fast enough to punch through walls or body armor.
adams: the weapon reflects anxieties of the 21st century that the idea of war and defense and security have become blurred.
[ shouting in native language .]
narrator: no matter where the battle takes place, this gun can do the business.
the h&k has already seen considerable service.
versatility is unmatched in its class.
the design is highly innovative.
it's definitely a contender for leading its class.
overall, the 417 earns enough for the number-8 position.
at number 7, the most feared anti-aircraft system of all timethe zsu-23-4.
origin -- soviet union.
cost -- $2 million.
weight -- 20 tons.
length -- 21 feet.
when aircraft attack, they unleash devastating firepower then disappear in seconds leaving ordinary soldiers powerless to respond.
the zsu-23-4 shilka is the red army's equalizer, and it's been in business for nearly 50 years.
the zsu-23-4 is a really dangerous adversary.
narrator: more than 6,500 of these mobile killing machines have been produced and exported all over the world.
that means, wherever trouble starts, you can be sure to find a shilka.
we've encountered them in libya, we've encountered them in the balkans, we've encountered them in iraq, and some were left behind in afghanistan.
narrator: in a conventional army, they work in pairs, right behind the front line of tanks.
so we knew that if we ever had to attack a tank column, the first threat would have been the zsu-23-4.
they had to be eliminated.
narrator: their radar-guided guns create an 8,200-feet-radius invisible dome around an advancing force.
any attacking aircraft straying into that dome is toast.
as a pilot, when you see zsu-23-4s, you better hope that you're up high.
they own the lower level of the airspace.
narrator: the business end of the shilka is the quad-mounted 23-millimeter cannon.
the four barrels take turns firing to prevent overheating as the zsu unleashes its hailstorm of 4,000 explosive rounds a minute.
the zsu-23-4 would absolutely put out a sheet of lead.
no one wanted to fly into that.
narrator: it doesn't matter how fast a plane is flying.
shilka's narrow-band radar detects attackers 14 miles out and tracks the movement.
the guns automatically swing to lead the target, compensating for speed, so the explosive shells fill the patch of sky where that plane is going to be.
but the shilka isn't just a plane buster.
turn it straight down and now you've got the most effective anti-personnel weapon you've ever seen.
narrator: in afghanistan, the russians used this ability to annihilate guerilla fighters attacking from the mountains.
the high rate of fire that's put out by 23-4 would have been absolutely lethal.
the zsu's distinguished service record goes back 50 years.
it can engage ground targets, as well as aircraft.
the design was a world first.
the 23-4 was the most feared anti-aircraft system of its time.
overall, the shilka earns enough for the number-7 position.
still to come the most fearsome firepower on the modern battlefield.
what it's protecting is a very expensive asset.
narrator: coming in at number 6 in the "ultimate firepower" countdown, the united states infantry's solution to busting hard targets -- the stryker mobile gun system.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $5 million.
weight -- 18 tons.
length -- 24 feet.
when the u.
s.
army made the decision to mount the infantry in super fast stryker apcs they realized they were going to need heavy firepower that could keep up.
having the advantage in firepower is absolutely essential.
narrator: powered by its cat c7 turbo-diesel engine the stryker mobile gun system is literally the fastest gun in the west.
it's going to do the job of a main battle tank but is much lighter in weight.
narrator: this truck is capable of speeds unheard of in a tank.
it can reach speeds of 70 miles an hour.
narrator: as soon as the front-line fighters call for help, the stryker's deadly, 104-millimeter gun can be on hand in minutes, unleashing shells at a speed of 1,500 yards per second.
whenever that gun shoots, it'll knock your teeth out.
it's just that powerful of a weapon.
[ gunshot .]
narrator: to accommodate the deadly cannon, the 24-foot-long stryker has an additional turret, increasing its height by 3 feet.
man: this is the showstopper.
this thing will take out tanks, it'll take out personnel carriers, it'll take out troops, it'll take out hardened bunkers, it'll take out anything you can think of.
i could blow that building up.
narrator: if you're at the wrong end of the 19-foot-long barrel, the stryker mobile-gun system really is hell on wheels.
at the push of a button, the crew can summon up to four different kinds of ammunition for taking on different kinds of target.
man: we have apds, which stands for "armor-piercing discarding sabot.
" that is what we use for tanks and armored vehicles.
sabot carries essentially a tungsten-alloy dart.
it has a lot of kinetic energy because it's traveling at about 1,600 meters per second.
narrator: the deadly dart will slice through tank armor at ranges up to a mile and a half.
man: we have "hep," which stands for "high-explosive plastic.
" it's basically used for busting up bunkers.
and last is anti-personnel, which is a huge shotgun round that's got 2,068 tungsten bbs in it that turn people into goo.
narrator: in combat, gunner and commander collaborate to engage up to 10 different targets per minute.
while my gunner is engaging in destroying other targets, i can actually use this monitor through a camera located on the top of the truck and find other targets for him, 'cause i can designate what target he's gonna shoot at next, simply by pushing this button.
as you can see, the turret moves automatically to what i was aiming at, without the gunner having to do anything.
narrator: target locked, the 105-millimeter canister round unleashes the storm of 2,068 ball bearings with a deafening roar.
the mobile gun system is already proving itself effective.
it can engage a range of targets.
the design is an adaptation from earlier models.
the stryker heads a crowded field.
overall, the mgs earns enough for the number-6 position.
at number 5, a weapon that literally fills the sky with lead the goalkeeper close-in weapon system.
origin -- netherlands.
cost -- $22 million.
weight -- 7 tons.
length -- 20 feet.
in order to demonstrate the awesome power of the goalkeeper, a naval strike missile has been fired at the dutch navy frigate evertsen.
in this battle simulation, their very survival hangs on the goalkeeper close-in weapon system, or ciws.
the radar-guided, 6-ton gun can annihilate any threat in the sky in seconds with a hail of 200 high-velocity rounds.
the stakes are very high 'cause what it's protecting is a very expensive asset, indeed.
narrator: the stealthy naval-strike missile isn't detected until it's 8 miles out.
this is echo-424-428, exercise 250.
out.
[ whistle blows .]
[ alarm blaring .]
narrator: at the speed it's traveling, it will impact the evertsen in half a minute.
intent to engage with goalkeeper.
engage with goalkeeper -- captain approved.
narrator: goalkeeper is up.
the 7-barrel, 30-millimeter rotary cannon is the only thing standing between this crew and total devastation.
the attacker is still out of range, but the 12-foot-high weapon rotates, ready to face the threat.
its powerful, 77-horsepower servomotors enable the gun to make lightning-fast turns to adjust for the missile's movement.
it turns 90 degrees in one second fires 4,200 rounds per minute.
hazell: it's able to fire these projectiles up to velocities of 1,100 meters per second.
narrator: 4 miles out, 15 seconds to impact, the missile enters goalkeeper's range.
built-in computer systems use the 2d "i" band radar to acquire a target.
goalkeeper predicts where the missile is going to be and aims to fill that piece of sky with slugs carrying 22-millimeter, subcaliber tungsten penetrators.
all it needs is just one of those fragments to pierce the structure of the incoming missile.
narrator: 10 seconds to impact.
one of goalkeeper's two advanced radars keeps track of more than 30 incoming missiles at once.
the other one aims the gun.
and the gun destroys the missile.
goalkeeper -- now, that's what you call a great save.
the rarity of attacks on warships means service record is limited.
the ability to engage aircraft or missiles scores for versatility.
the design ingenuity is exceptional.
goalkeeper is a class leader.
overall, the goalkeeper ciws earns enough for the number-5 position.
coming upmore firepower than you can handle.
adams: in 1984, when these first appeared, that really frightened the u.
s.
navy.
narrator: counting down the most devastating weapons on the planet.
at number 4, the most heavily armed ship ever to come out from behind the iron curtain -- the kirov-class missile cruiser.
origin -- soviet union.
cost -- classified.
weight -- 24,000 tons.
length -- 827 feet.
at the height of the cold war, the u.
s.
navy dominated the world's oceans by amassing the world's second-largest air force and deploying it on aircraft carriers.
the soviet response was firepower.
the kirov-class missile cruiser is 24,000 tons of it.
huston: the kirov has a lot of firepower -- vertically launched cruise missiles, surface-to-air missiles.
the kirov class is an important offensive weapon system because it can project power.
narrator: when the kirov class first emerged in the early 1980s, it was an unpleasant surprise for u.
s.
naval forces.
in 1984, when these first appeared, that really frightened the u.
s.
navy.
narrator: the reagan administration met the kirov threat head-on by bringing their own metal monoliths out of retirement.
it was because of the launching of the kirov that the u.
s.
decided to bring back its battleships.
narrator: america's armor-plated relics of world war ii were the only ships that could withstand a barrage of guided missiles.
the most fearsome weapon the kirov class carries is cunningly concealed from the casual observer.
the devastating battery of 20 ss-n-19 missile launchers looks like nothing more than some square hatches lined up on the ship's deck.
but beneath each of these innocent-looking doors lurks a 10-meter-long, 7-ton p-700 granite anti-ship missile.
they're bigger than some fighter planes and can deliver nearly a ton of explosive at almost twice the speed of sound.
huston: if it got in range of a series of surface ships, it could do a lot of damage.
narrator: winning wars isn't just about offense but as they say in mother russia, the best defense is a strong offense -- more firepower.
eight 6-barreled radar-guided ak-630 rotary cannons can knock incoming missiles out of the sky and 10 anti-submarine torpedo tubes, backed up by another 22 anti-submarine rocket launchers, make the vicinity of a kirov cruiser a no-go area for underwater attackers.
the really bad news? this ship carries another four complete weapon systems we haven't even mentioned yet -- another two guns another 500 missiles and for total destruction, the mighty battle cruiser carries 14 cruise missiles that can be nuclear-tipped.
the kirovs have been a constant threat since 1980.
the ability to engage targets on land, sea, or air scores for versatility.
the design is exceptionally bold and uncompromising.
there are no direct western equivalents of the kirov.
overall, the kirov earns enough for the number-4 position.
at number 3, the most deadly helicopter gunship of all time -- the ah-64 apache.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $18 million.
weight -- 8 tons.
length -- 58 feet.
the awesome arsenal of tank-busting agm-114 hellfire missiles and 70-millimeter rockets provides decisive firepower.
hudson: it's the best feeling to be the biggest guy on the battlefield, to be the dude running around with the biggest stick, ready to take it to the enemy.
apache is absolutely the most lethal aircraft in the air.
narrator: this destructive capability, mounted on an airframe, armored against cannon fire up to 23 millimeters, makes the ah-64 one of the most feared machines on the modern battlefield.
you can run as far as you want, you can hide as deep as you want.
you're just gonna die dirty and tired.
mcfadden: just having the apaches overhead, the enemy knows we're there, and they'll stop.
narrator: it doesn't just hit hard.
the weapon systems are accurate up to distances up to 5 miles.
hudson: whatever you're aiming a laser at is going to die immediately and explosively.
narrator: today, ace pilot joe hudson is engaging in a combat simulation to demonstrate the apache's devastating destructive potential.
hudson: if anybody actually found out how much fun this was, everybody would try to do it.
narrator: when joe puts on the helmet, he is directly linked to the aircraft's targeting systems.
he can see whatever the chopper's enhanced optics see.
and the lethal 30-millimeter hughes chain gun tracks the movement of the pilot's eyes.
by simply looking at the target, a gun will follow and slue, automatically correct for range and elevation.
narrator: looks really can kill.
even night offers no protection from the apache's awesome firepower.
hudson: you can identify a person with an ak-47 from over 3,000 meters away in pitch-black.
narrator: in afghanistan, taliban planting bombs on convoy routes have been learning this the hard way.
[ gunshot .]
to use the apache's arsenal effectively, the crews must constantly hone their skills.
mcfadden: when you look at the effectiveness the apache has in combat, it's worth every hour of training.
the live firing range at fort bliss, texas, is 1.
2 million acres of open desert dedicated to perfecting the art of destruction.
first up is the hughes m230 chain gun.
the target, an armored vehicle, is shredded in seconds in a hail of 30-millimeter explosive shells.
[ gunfire .]
next, the hydra 70-millimeter unguided rockets.
when the apache has to level a fortified building, bunker, or enemy strongpoint, this is what they use.
joe knows firsthand just how devastating this kind of firepower can be on the battlefield.
i've had the privilege of taking the ah-64 to combat twice.
we can bring a raging firefight to a screeching halt just by showing up on station.
narrator: the apache has been a pivotal player in every major conflict since its creation.
it's highly versatile, performing a variety of mission types.
the range of innovative design features is truly impressive.
the apache is the world's premier helicopter gunship.
overall, the ah-64 earns enough for the number-3 position.
still to comethe final word in ultimate firepower.
it can shoot a car 25 to 30 miles.
that's just unbelievable.
[ gunfire .]
narrator: we're down to the final two in the "ultimate firepower" countdown.
at number 2, the most powerful conventional-artillery system on the modern battlefield -- the panzer 2000.
origin -- germany.
cost -- $4.
5 million.
weight -- 55 tons.
length -- 38 feet.
the pzh 2000 is 55 tons of destruction.
panzer 2000 is an awesome weapon.
there's so much explosive that a 155 shell can carry, there's not really a lot you can do to protect against it.
narrator: the massive gun can fire three high-explosive shells, each capable of flattening a big house, in just 9 seconds.
today, the men of the munster artillery regiment are demonstrating the firepower of this awesome $4.
5 million war machine.
the first job is feeding the beast.
[ explosion .]
with a sustained rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute, this howitzer has one hell of an appetite for ammo.
for any ordinary big gun, stocking up is a lengthy, labor-intensive process.
but with the pzh 2000's automated loading mechanism, a crew of just 2 can load 60 shells in less than 12 minutes.
what makes this 38-foot-long weapon so devastating is that it doesn't just hit hard.
it hits fast, too switching from 27-mile-per-hour cross-country to combat-ready in moments.
in under 30 seconds, the crew can stop, gather the data, put the firing data to the gun, and get a round out the tube.
narrator: firing shells up to 25 miles, the 2000 wreak destruction well beyond line of sight.
hazell: it's very difficult to defend against because the gun that's fired at you is so far away from you as the target, then you've got no way of responding to it initially.
narrator: with a single push of a button, a round is transported from the magazine to the loading bay and then into the breach of the massive, 8-yard-long gun, ready for firing the 155-millimeter high-explosive shell, arced to the target, at speeds up to 930 yards per second.
one of these shells could potentially kill a main battle tank with a single shot.
but the 2000 doesn't stop there.
it's capable of multiple-round simultaneous impact -- mrsi.
after each shot, the howitzer can lower its barrel fractionally to send the next shot flying to the same target on a flatter, faster trajectory.
the 2000 can put five shells in the air at once and land all five in the same place at the same time.
you're gonna get fragments that are gonna be traveling at supersonic speeds.
but also, you're gonna get a blast wave.
it's gonna pick up stuff, and it's gonna throw it distances.
that's gonna be quite devastating on the target.
[ explosion .]
narrator: result -- total destruction.
the panzer 2000 has already provided impressive fire support in afghanistan.
its versatility means it can engage tanks, infantry, or even ships.
the design sets new standards for artillery.
there are other strong contenders, but the 2000 is a world leader.
overall, the mighty howitzer earns enough for the number-2 position.
[ gunfire .]
whether it's on planes, tanks, ships, or even handheld weapons there's no doubting that firepower can be a decisive factor.
accurate, deadly -- anything you need it to be.
but when you figure in all the key elements only one war machine can truly be said to deliver ultimate firepower.
at number 1, the iowa-class battleship.
origin -- usa.
cost -- $100 million.
weight -- 57,500 tons.
length -- 887 feet.
with nine 16-inch guns the four battleships of the iowa class were capable of lobbing 2,700-pound shells distances more than 24 miles.
it can shoot a car 25 to 30 miles.
that's just unbelievable.
[ chuckling .]
i mean, how do you do that? narrator: a single one of these can flatten an area the size of a football field.
huston: i think there's a certain benefit to a navy of just sheer strength and the ability to project power with guns.
narrator: when all nine guns of an iowa class shoot in a single broadside, the blast wave alone could be deadly to anything on deck.
[ explosion .]
these steel-clad behemoths were born in world war ii to provide high-speed, long-range firepower.
the big guns played a vital role in some of the pacific campaign's most pivotal battles, including the assaults on okinawa and iwo jima.
but by the end of the war, everyone thought that the age of the battleship was coming to an end.
the americans had thought that big battleships were a thing of the past, and, indeed, they were.
narrator: everyone was wrong.
the iowa class kept coming back for more.
in korea and vietnam, the big guns proved their worth time and again.
but in the early 1980s, the soviet navy unleashed the mighty kirov-class battle cruisers.
the kirov class achieved something straightaway.
they forced the americans to react.
narrator: to counter the kirov, the u.
s.
navy put the world war ii veteran battlewagons through a radical makeover and tricked them out with enough state-of-the-art firepower to level a small country.
essentially, they're just massive, floating hunks of unsinkable metal that they fitted out with next-generation weapons.
narrator: new phalanx defense guns and surface-to-air missiles made the iowas a prickly target for aerial attackers, and surface-to-surface missiles gave them the capability to engage targets even beyond the range of the big guns.
the icing on the cake came in the form of tomahawk cruise missiles.
[ whoosh .]
once you bring the iowa up to date, it's the powerful warship ever conceived of 'cause they don't build ships like that anymore.
narrator: with these $1.
4 million munitions, the iowas could hit targets on the other side of a continent, and they could be nuclear-tipped.
[ explosion .]
intercontinental ballistic missiles might deliver a bigger hit but in terms of all-around firepower against targets on land, sea, and air nothing created can match the might of the iowa-class battleship.
the iowa's distinguished service record goes back to the final years of world war ii.
there is nowhere to hide from its plethora of weapon systems.
updating a classic for modern warfare is a design masterstroke.
no battleship can match the modern iowa's awesome power.
overall, the iowa does more than enough to earn the number-1 spot.
every soldier, sailor, or airman wants to have the edge in firepower [ gas hissing .]
and in this countdown, we've analyzed some of the most devastating weapons on the planet.
from number 10 all the way down to number 2, there are strong contenders, but there's no doubt about the winner -- the iowa-class battleship.