Anglo‑Zulu War Anglo-Zulu War A brief encyclopedia article on the 1879 conflict between the Zulu Kingdom and the British Empire, its causes, major battles, outcomes and historical legacy in southern Africa.
Angolan Civil War (1975–2002): Causes, course and consequences Angolan Civil War Overview of the Angolan Civil War, its main factions, international involvement during the Cold War, humanitarian toll, peace process and postwar challenges.
Anti-aircraft warfare: history, systems, and modern roles Anti-aircraft warfare Overview of anti-aircraft warfare (air defence): its weapons, development from WWI guns to post‑WWII missiles, tactics, organization, and modern distinctions such as AAA, flak and…
ANZUS: Australia–New Zealand–United States Security Treaty ANZUS ANZUS is a trilateral security agreement linking Australia, New Zealand and the United States. It frames mutual defense cooperation in the Pacific and has evolved since its signing…
Appomattox Campaign (1865): Final Operations of the Army of Northern Virginia Appomattox Campaign The Appomattox Campaign was the closing series of maneuvers and battles in Virginia that led to Robert E. Lee's surrender in April 1865 and the effective end of the Confederacy's m…
AR-15 rifle: history, design, variants, uses, and legal considerations AR15 Overview of the AR-15: its origins, engineering and variants, common calibers and uses, manufacturers, and legal and regulatory considerations across jurisdictions
Arado Ar 234 — Germany's first operational jet bomber Arado Ar 234 Jet-powered reconnaissance bomber developed by Arado in WWII; first flown in 1943 and used by the Luftwaffe late in the war. Notable as the world's first operational twin‑jet bombe…
Arauco War: Mapuche resistance against Spanish colonial rule Arauco War Centuries-long conflict between Spanish colonizers and the Mapuche in Araucanía, beginning c.1536; marked by frontier warfare, parlamentos (negotiated councils), and a final Chilea…
Area 51: history, purpose, secrecy and cultural impact Area 51 Area 51 is a highly classified U.S. Air Force facility in southern Nevada used for development and testing of experimental aircraft and systems; its secrecy spawned myths, UFO folk…
Arisaka rifle Bolt-action service rifles developed in Japan around 1900; reliable, strong actions used in several calibres and variants from the late 19th century through World War II.
Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia Armed Forces of Armenia Comprehensive overview of Armenia’s armed forces: structure, history, leadership, roles, border responsibilities, personnel policy, equipment trends and international ties.
Armed Forces of Belarus Overview of Belarus’s military: structure, history since 1991, main branches, roles, conscription, equipment legacy and relations with Russia and regional security organizations.
Armed Forces of the Russian Federation The unified military organization of the Russian state since the Soviet Union's dissolution. Describes structure, principal branches, historical development, roles, and distinguish…
Armenian Air Force Air arm of the Republic of Armenia focused on airspace protection, ground support and integrated air defence; combines a small aviation component with missile and anti-aircraft uni…
Armenian Army The land component of Armenia's armed forces responsible for territorial defence, training cooperation with partners, and operations related to Nagorno-Karabakh; shaped by geograph…
Armenian Legion (World War II) Armenian Legion Armenian Legion — a name used for Armenian volunteer units organized by Nazi Germany during World War II; history, composition, activities, leadership, and legacy examined neutrall…
Armiger (person entitled to a coat of arms) Armiger An armiger is a person or body entitled to bear a coat of arms. This article explains the origin, legal recognition, acquisition, modern uses, and distinctions of armigers.
Armistice: definition, origins, legal status, negotiation and examples Armistice An armistice is a formal agreement to stop fighting between belligerents. This article explains its meaning, origins, typical terms, legal and political effects, negotiation and no…
Armorer: duties, skills, history and distinctions Armorer An armorer maintains, repairs, inspects and issues weapons and related equipment for military, police, film and institutional use, ensuring safety, reliability and service life.
Armour: history, types, materials and modern applications Armour Overview of armour as protective coverings for people, animals, vehicles and structures; historical development, principal types and materials, applications, standards and future d…
Arms trafficking (gun‑running): causes, methods and international responses Arms trafficking Illicit transfer and smuggling of weapons and ammunition across borders or inside states; overview of methods, impacts, and national and international efforts to limit spread and m…
Army: organization, roles, history and modern characteristics Army Overview of an army as a ground force: structure, personnel types, equipment, duties, development and distinctions between voluntary, conscripted and contracted forces.
Army of Mississippi (Confederate) Army of Mississippi Confederate Western Theater formation(s) active 1862–1864, notable for Shiloh, the Vicksburg theater, frequent reorganizations and the later Army of Tennessee designation.
Army of Northern Virginia Primary Confederate field army in the Eastern Theater during the American Civil War, best known under General Robert E. Lee; central to campaigns from 1862–1865 and surrendered at…
Army of Tennessee (Confederate) Army of Tennessee Primary Confederate force in the Western Theater during the American Civil War, formed from the Army of Mississippi in 1862 and surrendering in 1865 in North Carolina.
Army of the Cumberland Major Union field army in the Western Theater of the American Civil War; organized from the Army of the Ohio in 1862 and noted for engagements at Stones River, Chickamauga, Chattan…
Army of the Mississippi (Union armies) Army of the Mississippi Two short-lived Union field armies named Army of the Mississippi operated around the Mississippi River during the American Civil War, organized to seize control of river approaches…
Army of the Potomac: principal Union army in the Eastern Theater Army of the Potomac The Army of the Potomac was the Union's main field army confronting Confederate forces in the Eastern Theater (1861–1865). This article outlines its role, organization, commanders,…
Army of the Tennessee — Union field army in the Western Theater Army of the Tennessee Union field army in the American Civil War named for the Tennessee River; fought major Western campaigns including Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and the Atlanta ca…
Army ranks and insignia of the Russian Federation Structure and symbols of rank used by the Russian Army: rank groups, shoulder-board insignia, historical continuity from the Soviet era, practical role, and key distinctions.
Arsenal (armory, sites, and cultural uses) Arsenal An arsenal is a facility for producing, repairing, storing or issuing weapons and ammunition. The word also appears in place names, sports teams and cultural works around the world…
Artillery of Japan History and development of Japanese artillery from medieval gunpowder weapons to modern coastal and Self-Defense Forces systems, covering types, tactics, and major periods of chang…
Arunachal Dragon Force A cautious, encyclopedic overview of the group known as the Arunachal Dragon Force: reported aims, context within northeastern India, activities, government response, and uncertain…
AS-90: British 155 mm self-propelled gun AS-90 The AS-90 is a British tracked self-propelled 155 mm artillery system introduced in the early 1990s, designed for mobile indirect fire support and used by Royal Artillery formation…
Ashigaru — Japanese foot soldiers from Heian through the Edo period Ashigaru Ashigaru were Japan's light infantry foot soldiers, recruited from peasants and townsmen, who served samurai and daimyo from the Heian era through the Sengoku and into the Edo peri…
Assault rifle: definition, history, characteristics, and global impact Assault rifle An assault rifle is a selective-fire shoulder firearm that uses intermediate cartridges and detachable magazines. This article covers its defining features, development, uses, and…
Atlanta Campaign (1864): Sherman's Advance and the Fall of Atlanta Atlanta Campaign Union General William T. Sherman's series of operations in northwestern Georgia (May–September 1864) that captured Atlanta, weakened Confederate logistics and shaped the final camp…
Atlantic Wall — World War II coastal defenses of Nazi Germany Atlantic Wall A network of coastal fortifications built and reinforced by Germany in WWII to deter an Allied invasion, organized and constructed mainly between 1942 and 1944 and stretching along…
Atlas (missile) — U.S. ICBM turned long-lived launch vehicle family Atlas (missile) Atlas began as the United States' first operational ICBM in the late 1950s and later evolved into a versatile family of space launch vehicles used for crewed Mercury flights, satel…
Attack aircraft Military aircraft designed to engage enemy ground or naval forces at close range, using specialized weapons and tactics for close air support, interdiction, and battlefield surviva…
Attrition warfare: strategy of wearing down an opponent Attrition warfare Attrition warfare is a strategy that seeks victory by inflicting continuous losses in personnel and materiel until the enemy can no longer fight. Overview, characteristics, history…
Australian Defence Force The Australian Defence Force (ADF) is Australia’s unified military organisation—Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force—responsible for national defen…
Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists (2001) Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Terrorists A 2001 U.S. congressional measure authorizing the president to use military force against those responsible for the September 11 attacks and those who harbored them; has shaped pos…
Automatic rifle A man-portable firearm capable of continuous fire while the trigger is held, typically magazine-fed and often offering selective-fire modes for semi- and fully-automatic operation.
Avro 683 Lancaster Four‑engined British heavy bomber developed from the Avro Manchester; principal RAF heavy bomber of WWII noted for its large bomb bay, versatility and role in major raids including…
Axis Powers — Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II Axis powers Coalition of states led by Germany, Italy and Japan that fought the Allies in World War II; formed by diplomatic pacts, pursued territorial expansion and were defeated in 1945.
Azerbaijani Air and Air Defence Force Azerbaijani Air Force The air arm of Azerbaijan's armed forces, responsible for air defence, surveillance, transport and support. Origins date to 1918; reconstituted after 1991 and modernized with new a…
Azerbaijani Armed Forces: structure, history, and role Azerbaijani Armed Forces Comprehensive overview of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces: organization, branches, history, related units, modernization and regional roles, with links to related topics.
