Military

M1903 Springfield rifle The M1903 Springfield is an early 20th-century American bolt-action service rifle in .30-06, widely used as an infantry and sniper weapon through two world wars and later conflicts…

M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle The M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) is an American magazine-fed automatic rifle/light machine gun designed by John Browning. It served as a squad automatic weapon from World W…

M2 Browning (.50 Caliber) heavy machine gun — overview and history M2 Browning The M2 Browning is a belt-fed .50 caliber heavy machine gun developed by John Browning. Widely used since World War II, it remains a NATO standard for anti-material and vehicle-mou…

M240 machine gun The M240 is a belt-fed, gas-operated general-purpose machine gun firing 7.62×51mm NATO. Widely used by U.S. forces, it serves as an infantry support weapon and as a vehicle, aircra…

M249 Light Machine Gun (U.S. Squad Automatic Weapon) M249 light machine gun The M249 is the U.S. variant of the FN Minimi— a belt-fed 5.56×45mm NATO light machine gun used to deliver sustained squad-level suppressive fire.

M4 Carbine — Compact, Modular Military Carbine in the M16 Family M4 carbine Compact, gas-operated 5.56mm carbine developed from the M16 family. Widely used by U.S. forces and police, available in variants (including full-auto M4A1) and compatible with many…

M60 Patton Cold War-era American main battle tank introduced in 1960, developed from the M48 Patton with improved armor, a 105 mm gun, diesel engine, and later upgrades; served widely with U.…

M61 Vulcan: 20 mm Gatling-style aircraft cannon M61 Vulcan The M61 Vulcan is a six-barrel 20 mm Gatling-style rotary cannon that has been the primary gun for many U.S. combat aircraft since the Cold War, noted for very high rates of fire a…

M72 LAW (Light Anti-Armor Weapon) M72 LAW A compact, single‑shot disposable rocket launcher introduced in the 1960s, used by infantry to defeat light armor and fortifications; valued for low weight, one‑man operation and b…

Mace: weapon, spice, ceremonial symbol, and self‑defense spray Mace An overview of mace in its main senses: the blunt medieval weapon and related flail, the ceremonial staff, the spice from nutmeg, and commercial self‑defense/irritant sprays.

Macedonian phalanx Infantry spear formation developed by Philip II and used by Alexander the Great; characterized by long sarissa pikes, close-order cohesion, cavalry support, and decisive use in Hel…

Machine gun: overview, types, history and uses Machine gun A machine gun is an automatic firearm capable of sustained fire. This article explains how they work, main components, classifications, historical development, military and civilia…

Machine pistol A compact select-fire handgun capable of fully automatic or burst fire using pistol-caliber ammunition; covers design, history, uses, notable examples, and distinctions from submac…

Firearm magazine: design, types, history and use Magazine (firearms) A magazine stores and feeds ammunition for firearms and other weapons. This article explains parts, common types, how magazines work, historical development, uses, safety and notab…

Maginot Line: French interwar fortifications and their legacy Maginot Line Interwar system of forts, bunkers and obstacles built by France along its frontiers to deter invasion; noted for engineering, strategic limits and preservation as museums and study…

Main battle tank (MBT) Main battle tank A main battle tank (MBT) is a heavily armed and armored tracked combat vehicle designed to deliver firepower, protection and mobility on the battlefield as a central element of mod…

Major (military rank) Major Major is a field-grade military rank used in many armed forces, typically above captain and below lieutenant colonel. This article explains insignia, duties, history, and internati…

Major general Major general is a senior two-star military rank, typically commanding a division-sized formation and positioned between brigadier general and lieutenant general.

Makibishi: Japanese caltrops used to impede pursuit Makibishi Makibishi are small spiked devices used in feudal Japan to slow or disable pursuers. Originating from natural seed pods and later made of iron, they appear in military practice, am…

Manhattan Project: U.S. program to develop the first atomic weapons Manhattan Project The Manhattan Project was the United States' World War II research and development program that produced the first nuclear weapons, establishing major laboratory sites and shaping…

Marine: pertaining to the sea, marine life, and maritime activities Marine Pertaining to the sea and coastal waters: ecosystems, organisms, human uses, science, engineering, law and conservation of oceans and coasts.

Marine (military): roles, history and organization Marine (military) A marine is a military specialist trained for operations at sea and ashore, especially amphibious warfare. This article explains their roles, history, organization, training, symbo…

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Major United States Marine Corps installation on California’s Pacific coast, serving as a training, mobilization, and expeditionary staging base since 1942.

Mary Rose (Tudor warship) Mary Rose The Mary Rose was King Henry VIII's warship that sank in 1545. Raised in 1982, its conserved hull and thousands of artifacts are displayed at Portsmouth, offering unique insights i…

Maryland Campaign (Antietam Campaign), September 1862 Maryland Campaign Confederate General Robert E. Lee's September 1862 invasion of the North that culminated at Antietam; a campaign of military maneuvers, key battles, and important political consequ…

Matross: Artillery Assistant in 18th–19th Century Armies Matross Overview of the matross: an 18th–19th century artillery assistant who supported gunners with loading, sponging, transport and guarding supplies, and held a subordinate enlisted ran…

McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle — American air superiority fighter McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle Twin-engine, all-weather air superiority fighter developed by McDonnell Douglas and later Boeing; praised for speed, maneuverability, long service life and a strong air-to-air comb…

McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle A two-seat, twin-engine multirole fighter derived from the F-15 Eagle, optimized for long-range strike missions with enhanced avionics, fuel capacity, and payload for the U.S. Air…

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II Twin‑seat, twin‑engine supersonic fighter-bomber introduced in 1960; notable for Vietnam service, heavy weapons load, multiple variants including the F-4E gun version and G Wild We…

Mercenaries: soldiers for hire — definition, history, and modern roles Mercenary An overview of mercenaries: what defines them, historical development, distinctions from regular forces and contractors, notable examples, legal and ethical issues, and contemporar…

Messerschmitt Bf 109: design, service history, and legacy Messerschmitt Bf 109 The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was Germany’s primary single-seat fighter of the 1930s–1940s, notable for its modern construction, many variants, extensive wartime service, and large prod…

Mexican standoff: definition, dynamics, history, and cultural use Mexican standoff A Mexican standoff is a multi-party deadlock in which no participant can safely act first without inviting immediate retaliation; used in politics, law enforcement, and fiction.

Mexican–American War (1846–1848) Mexican–American War Armed conflict between the United States and Mexico (1846–1848) that led to the U.S. acquisition of large western territories under the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

MG 34 (Maschinengewehr 34) — German general-purpose machine gun MG 34 The MG 34 is an early German general-purpose machine gun introduced in 1934. Noted for versatility, it served as infantry support, vehicle armament and anti-aircraft weapon before…

MG 42: German general-purpose machine gun introduced in 1942 MG 42 The MG 42 is a German general-purpose machine gun introduced in 1942, noted for its simple stamped construction, quick-change barrel and exceptionally high rate of fire. It influen…

Middle Eastern theatre of World War I The broad series of campaigns fought in and around the Ottoman Empire (1914–1918), shaping postwar borders, mandates and regional politics.

Midshipman: naval officer cadet and junior officer rank Midshipman Midshipman is a naval rank used for officer cadets or the most junior officers in many navies, historically rooted in Age of Sail traditions and still present in several modern Com…

MiG Alley — Korean War jet air combat zone MiG Alley MiG Alley was the northwest Korean combat zone where MiG-15s and F-86 Sabres clashed during the Korean War, notable for Soviet pilot involvement and the birth of modern jet dogfigh…

Mikoyan MiG-27 Soviet-era ground-attack aircraft derived from the MiG-23, introduced in the mid-1970s and used for low-level strike missions by several air forces until late 2010s.

Mikoyan MiG-29 (Fulcrum): Soviet-designed air-superiority fighter Mikoyan MiG-29 The Mikoyan MiG-29, NATO reporting name Fulcrum, is a twin-engine Soviet-era fighter introduced in 1983. Known for agility and adaptability, it serves in many air forces and has mu…

Mikoyan MiG-31 (Foxhound): Soviet/Russian long-range interceptor Mikoyan MiG-31 The Mikoyan MiG-31 is a twin-seat, twin-engine supersonic interceptor developed in the USSR and introduced in 1982. Known for a powerful phased-array radar and long-range air-to-ai…

Mikoyan-Gurevich DIS An experimental Soviet long-range fighter project by Mikoyan-Gurevich. Two prototypes were built in the post‑WWII era; the program was ultimately cancelled amid shifting requiremen…

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (NATO: Fagot) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 Soviet first-generation swept-wing jet fighter introduced in 1949. Noted for its combat role in the Korean War, heavy cannon armament, and wide postwar export and production.

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (Fresco) — Soviet subsonic jet fighter Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 (NATO: Fresco) is a 1950s-era Soviet jet fighter noted for low-speed agility, widespread export use, and service in conflicts such as Vietnam. It evolve…

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 (Farmer) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19 Twin‑engine Soviet fighter of the 1950s, the MiG‑19 was the USSR's first purpose‑built supersonic production fighter, serving as a short‑range interceptor and ground‑attack aircraf…

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 (Flogger) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Soviet variable-geometry wing fighter-interceptor introduced around 1970. Developed by Mikoyan, it served in air-superiority, interception and strike roles and was widely exported…

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 (Foxbat) high-speed interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 Soviet-era MiG-25 'Foxbat' is a high-speed, high-altitude interceptor and reconnaissance aircraft by Mikoyan, noted for extreme speed, heat-resistant construction and the 1976 defe…

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-9 (Fargo) Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-9 Early Soviet twin‑jet fighter introduced in 1946, the MiG‑9 (NATO: Fargo) was Mikoyan‑Gurevich's first operational jet and a transitional design that informed later swept‑wing figh…