Weapon
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/74.235.202.120|74.235.202.120]] to last version by SmackBot (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
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{{dablink|For other uses, see [[Weapon (disambiguation)]]. See [[military technology and equipment]] for a comprehensive list of weapons and doctrines.}}
{{history of war}}
A '''weapon''' is a [[tool]] employed to gain a tactical advantage over an adversary, usually by injury, defeat, or destruction, or the threat of these.<ref>Oxford English Dictionary. Second Edition 1989</ref><ref>Merriam-Webster's Online Dictionary[http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/weapon]</ref>
Weapons may be used to attack or [[coerce|threaten]] - but also to [[Defense (military)|defend]] and protect. There are a huge variety of weapons, which all have different means of coercion. They can be as simple as a [[Club (weapon)|club]], or as complex as an [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]—and metaphorically anything capable of being used to damage, even [[psychology|psychologically]], can be referred to as a weapon.
:''(While the natural claws, teeth and horns of animals can also be referred to as their weapons these are not the subject of this article)''
==History==
[[Image:Prussian bayonet clean.jpg|thumb|240px|left|The [[bayonet]] is used as both [[knife]] and [[spear]].]]
[[Tools]] of various sorts were undoubtedly used very early in human history, and weapons are just a particular type of tool - making up for comparative lack of natural weapons such as claws, horns and teeth.
Very simple weapon use has been seen in some communities of [[Common Chimpanzee|chimpanzee]]s<ref name=Pruetz1>Jill D. Pruetz1 and Paco Bertolani, [http://www.current-biology.com/content/article/fulltext?uid=PIIS0960982207008019 Savanna Chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes verus, Hunt with Tools"], ''Current Biology'', [[March 6]], [[2007]]</ref>.
Craig Stanford, a primatologist and professor of anthropology at the [[University of Southern California]], has suggested that the discovery of spear use by chimpanzees probably means that early humans used wooden spears as well, perhaps five million years ago.<ref>Rick Weiss, [http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/22/AR2007022201007.html "Chimps Observed Making Their Own Weapons"], ''[[The Washington Post]]'', [[February 22]], [[2007]]</ref>
The first human use of weapons is not easy to date, as these would probably have been wooden clubs, spears and unshaped stones thrown at prey or enemy—and none of these would leave an unambiguous record.
The earliest examples found are a cache of eight wooden throwing spears, the [[Schöninger Speere]], which have been dated as 400,000 years ago.<ref>Lower Palaeolithic hunting spears from Germany. Hartmut Thieme. Letters to Nature. Nature 385, 807 - 810 (27 February 1997); doi:10.1038/385807a0 [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v385/n6619/abs/385807a0.html]</ref>
By 250,000 years ago wooden spears were made with fire-hardened points. From 80,000 years ago humans began to make complex stone blades, which were used as spear points.
[[Bow (weapon)|Bows]] and arrows may have been used by 60,000 years ago<ref>[http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2008/03/31/earliest-weapon-human.html "...bows and bone arrows are now dated to just over 60,000 years old..."]</ref>
Light, horse-drawn [[chariot]]s for use in battle appeared with the invention of the [[spoke]]d wheel. The earliest spoke-wheeled chariots date to ca. 2000 BC and their usage peaked around 1300 BC (see [[Battle of Kadesh]]). Chariots ceased to have military importance in the 4th century BC, as [[domestication of the horse|horses were bred]] to support the weight of a man, and chariotry (the part of a military force that fought from chariots) gave way to [[cavalry]].<ref>[http://www.xenograg.com/excerpts/war/early_iron_age.php Early Iron Age Armies.]Library of Xenograg the Sorcerer.</ref>
The Medieval period, including the Western [[Middle Ages]], was characterized by two iconic weapons: [[knights]], heavily-armored horsemen, and [[castles]], fortified dwellings which proliferated throughout Europe and the near east. While knights harked back to earlier historical [[cavalry]] such as the Roman and Persian [[cataphracts]], castles triggered quite revolutionary advances, including increasingly sophisticated siegecraft.
The [[Renaissance]] marked the beginning of the implementation firearms in warfare, with the introduction of [[gun]]s and [[rocket]]s to the battlefield.
From the [[American Revolution]] through the beginning of the 20th century, human-powered weapons were finally excluded from the battlefield for the most part. Sometimes referred to as the "Age of Rifles", this period was characterized by the development of firearms for infantry and cannons for support, as well as the beginnings of mechanized weapons such as the [[machine gun]].
[[Image:Tower of London interior.jpg|250px|thumb|left|Ancient Chinese [[cannon]] displayed in the [[Tower of London]].]]
[[World War I]] marked the entry of fully industrialized warfare, and weapons were developed quickly to meet wartime needs. Many new technologies were developed, particularly in the development of military aircraft and vehicles. [[World War II]] however, perhaps marked the most frantic period of weapons development in the history of humanity. Massive numbers of new designs and concepts were fielded, and all existing technologies were improved between 1939 and 1945. Ultimately, the most powerful of all invented weapons was the [[Hydrogen bomb]].
After World War II, with the onset of the [[Cold War]], the constant technological development of new weapons was institutionalized, as participants engaged in a constant race to develop weapons and counter-weapons. This constant state of weapons development continues into the modern era, and remains a constant draw on the resources of most nations.
{{Cleanup|date=July 2006}}
===Firearms===
[[Image:Vickers IWW.jpg|250px|thumb|right|The [[Maxim gun]] and its successor the [[vickers gun|Vickers]] (shown here) remained in British military service for 79 consecutive years.]]
[[Firearm]]s are qualitatively different from earlier weapons because they store energy in a combustible [[propellant]] such as [[gunpowder]], rather than in a weight or spring. This energy is released quite rapidly, and can be restored without much effort by the user, so that even early firearms such as the [[arquebus]] were much more [[power (physics)|powerful]] than human-powered weapons. They became increasingly important and effective during the 16th century to 19th century, with progressive improvements in [[Lock (firearm)|ignition mechanisms]] followed by revolutionary changes in [[ammunition]] handling and propellant. During the [[U.S. Civil War]] various technologies including the [[machine gun]] and [[ironclad warship]] emerged that would be recognizable and useful military weapons today, particularly in lower-technology conflicts. In the 19th century [[warship]] propulsion changed from [[sail|sail power]] to [[fossil fuel]]-powered [[steam engine]]s.
The age of edged weapons ended abruptly just before [[World War I]] with rifled [[artillery]], such as [[howitzer]]s which were able to destroy any masonry fortress, as well as destroy other fortifications. This single invention caused a revolution in military affairs and doctrines that continues to this day. ''See [[Technology during World War I]] for a detailed discussion.''
An important feature of [[industrial age]] warfare was [[technological escalation]] - an innovation could, and would, be rapidly matched by copying it, and often with yet another innovation to counter it. The [[Technology during World War I|technological escalation during World War I]] was profound, producing armed [[aircraft]] and [[tank]]s.
This continued in the period between the end of that war and [[technological escalation during World War II|the next]], with continuous improvements of all weapons by all major powers. Many modern military weapons, particularly ground-based ones, are relatively minor improvements on those of [[World War II]]. ''See [[military technology during World War II]] for a detailed discussion.''
[[Image:Agni-II missile (Republic Day Parade 2004).jpeg|thumb|250px|right|[[India]]'s [[Agni-II]], a ballistic missile. <small>(Photo: Antônio Milena/ABr)</small>]]
<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[Image:Nuclear missiles.jpg|thumb|right|Nuclear missiles being loaded in a crate for storage.]] -->
===Nuclear weapons===
The most notable development in weaponry since World War II has been the combination and further development of two weapons first used in it—[[nuclear weapon]]s and the [[ballistic missile]], leading to its ultimate configuration: the [[ICBM]]. The mutual possession of these by the [[United States]] and the [[Soviet Union]] ensured that either nation could inflict terrible damage on the other; so terrible, in fact, that neither nation was willing to instigate direct, all-out war with the other (a phenomenon known as [[Mutually Assured Destruction]]). The indiscriminate nature of the destruction has made nuclear-tipped missiles essentially useless for the smaller wars fought since. However computer-guided weaponry of all kinds, from [[precision-guided munition]]s (or "smart bombs") to computer-aimed tank rounds, has greatly increased weaponry's accuracy.
===Information advantage===
Being able to prepare, maneuver and attack before the enemy can detect the threat and respond can be a decisive advantage. The element of surprise has long been recognized as a tactical advantage. Mondern technology can increase this, such as when one side has sophisticated [[night vision]] technology allowing maneuvering and combat at night when the enemy, not so equipped, is limited. High tech surveillance and [[military intelligence|intelligence]] gathering methods such as [[pilotless drone]]s can prevent surprise or identify targets. Coordination of forces is necessary in order to utilize separated forces effectively, modern communications, if unjammed and unintercepted are substantial advantages. Even once targets are identified and strategic objedtive identified, it is necessary to prepare detailed plans for individual forces to follow, a time consuming process that modern armies are trying to computerize to achieve an advantage of speed over the enemy.{{Fact|date=July 2008}}
Since interfering with enemy infrastructure, intelligence and communications yields an advantage, and a weapon is defined as something that grants such an advantage, new targets and weapons such as [[cyberwarfare]] are becoming possible.
==Weapon types==
There are essentially three facets to classifying weapon types: who uses it, how it works, and what it targets.
''Who uses it'' essentially determines how it can be employed:
*[[Personal weapon]]s (or [[Small Arms]]) are designed to be used by a single person.
*[[Crew served weapon]]s are larger than personal weapons, requiring more than one [[crew]] member to operate correctly.
*[[:Category:Fortification weapons|Fortification weapons]] are designed to be mounted in a permanent installation, or used primarily within a fortification.
*[[Mountain gun|Mountain weapons]] are designed for use by mountain forces or those operating in difficult terrain and harsh climates.
*[[:Category:Vehicle weapons|Vehicle weapons]] are designed to be mounted on any type of [[military vehicle]].
*[[Railway weapon]]s are designed to be mounted on railway cars, including armored trains.
*[[List of aircraft weapons|Aircraft weapons]] are designed to be carried on and used by some type of [[aircraft]], [[helicopter]], or other aerial vehicle.
*[[:Category:Naval weapons|Naval weapons]] are designed to be mounted on [[ship]]s and [[submarine]]s.
*[[Space weapon]]s are designed to be used in or launched from space.
''How it works'' refers to the construction of the weapon and how it operates:
*[[Antimatter weapon]]s (still theoretical) would combine matter and [[antimatter]] to cause a powerful explosion. However, antimatter is still hard to make and harder to store.
*[[Archery]] related weapons operate by using a tensioned string to launch a projectile at some target.
*[[Artillery]] are large firearms capable of launching heavy projectiles (normally explosive) over long distances.
*[[Biological weapon]]s spread biological agents, attacking humans (or livestock) by causing disease and infection.
*[[Chemical weapon]]s spread chemical agents, attacking humans by poisoning and causing reactions.
*[[Energy weapon]]s rely on concentrating forms of energy to attack, such as lasers, electrical shocks, and thermal or sonic attack.
*[[Explosive weapon]]s use a physical explosion to create blast concussion or spread shrapnel.
*[[Firearms]] use a chemical charge to launch one or more projectiles down a rifled or smoothbore barrel.
*Future weapons make use of futuristic high-tech weapon systems and advanced materials.
*[[Improvised weapons]] are common objects that were not designed for combat purposes but are used as such in self defense, guerrilla warfare or a violent crime.
*[[Incendiary weapon]]s rely on combustible materials and an ignition mechanism to cause damage by fire.
*[[Non-lethal force|Non-lethal weapons]] are used to attack and subdue humans, but are designed to minimize the risk of killing the target.
*[[Magnetic weapon]]s is one that uses magnetic fields to accelerate and propel projectiles, or to focus charged particle beams.
*[[Mêlée weapon]]s operate as physical extensions of the user's body and directly impact their target.
*[[Missile]]s are rockets which are guided to their target after launch. This is also a general term for [[projectile]] weapons.
*[[Nuclear weapon]]s use radioactive materials to create [[nuclear fission]] and/or [[nuclear fusion]] detonations above a target ("air-burst") or at ground-level.
*[[:Category:Primitive weapons|Primitive weapons]] make little or no use of technological or industrial elements, instead being purely constructed of easily obtainable natural materials.
*[[Ranged weapons]] cause a [[projectile]] to leave the user and (ideally) strike a target afterwards.
*[[Rocket]]s use chemical propellant to accelerate a projectile (usually with an explosive warhead) towards a target and are typically unguided once fired.
*[[Suicide weapon]]s are typically explosive in nature and exploit the willingness of their operator to not survive the attack to reach their target.
''What it targets'' refers to what type of target the weapon is designed to attack:
*[[Anti-aircraft]] weapons target enemy aircraft, helicopters, missiles and any other aerial vehicles in flight.
*[[Anti-fortification weapon]]s are designed to target enemy installations, including bunkers and fortifications. The American [[bunker buster]] bomb is designed to travel almost 10 metres underground before detonating, toppling underground installations.
*[[Anti-personnel weapon]]s are designed to attack people, either individually or in numbers.
*[[Anti-radiation missile|Anti-radiation]] weapons target enemy sources of electronic radiation, particularly radar emitters.
*[[:Category:Anti-ship weapons|Anti-ship weapons]] target enemy ships and vessels on water.
*[[Anti-submarine weapon]]s target enemy submarines and other underwater targets.
*[[Anti-tank weapon]]s are primarily used to defeat armored targets, but may be targeted against other less well armored targets.
*[[Area denial weapons]] are designed to target territory, making it unsafe or unsuitable for enemy use or travel.
*[[Hunting weapon]]s are designed particularly for use against animals for hunting purposes.
*[[:Category:Infantry support weapons|Infantry support weapons]] are designed to attack various threats to infantry units, supporting the infantry's operations, including [[heavy machine guns]], [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]] and pinpoint [[airstrikes]] ordered by the [[infantry]], often to strike heavily defended positions, such as enemy camps or extensively powerful machine-gun nests.
==Weapons by era==
*[[List of ancient weapons|Ancient]]
*[[List of medieval weapons|Medieval]]
*[[Technology during World War I]]
*[[Military technology during World War II]]
*[[Modern weapons]]
**[[Military technology and equipment|All eras]]
==See also==
*[[Schwerer Gustav]] World's largest Gun
*[[Arms trade]]
*[[List of martial arts weapons]]
*[[List of weapons]]
*[[Riot control agent]]
*[[Weapons of mass destruction]].
*[[Information warfare]]
*[[persuasion technology]] and [[propaganda]] for discussions of the way information technology plays a role in the changing of the minds of subject populations - both branches of [[psychological warfare]]
*[[Toy weapons]]
*[[Fictional technology]]
*[[Technological escalation]]
*[[Gun]]
*[[Network-centric warfare]]
*[[Global Information Grid]]
*[[Picatinny]]
*[[United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
* [http://www.higgins.org Higgins Armory Museum]
* [http://world.guns.ru Modern Firearms Encyclopedia]
* [http://www.militaryhorse.org/ Society of the Military Horse]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4808342.stm Pentagon plans cyber-insect army]
* [http://fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/index.html Weapon Systems]
* [http://www.antiquestopic.com/category/antique-firearms/ Antique firearms]
[[:Category:Primitive weapons|Primitive weapons]]
[[:Category:Anti-ship weapons|Anti-ship weapons]]
[[:Category:Infantry support weapons|Infantry support weapons]]
[[:Category:Fortification weapons|Fortification weapons]]
[[:Category:Vehicle weapons|Vehicle weapons]]
[[:Category:Naval weapons|Naval weapons]]
[[Category:Military equipment]]
[[Category:Security]]
[[Category:Weapons|*]]
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