Battle Factory

The Colt C7 assault rifle, used in the Gulf War, Rwanda and Afghanistan, starts off as a seven-pound bar of solid steel.

Used by military operatives, drug enforcement agents and first responders, lightweight aluminum is forged into the frame of a personal flying machine.

The AX-338 Sniper Rifle, the most accurate weapon on earth, is formed from a block of metal in 48 hours.

Through snow, sand, or water, the armored amphibious personnel carrier Viking BVS10 can get troops in and out of any combat zone; a steel plated hull becomes fitted with controls and tracks.

Up until the mid-1990s, helmets hadn't evolved far from World War I, until a series of delicate, snowflake-shaped sheets of Aramid were pressed together to form a piece of headgear comfortable enough to wear and tough enough to take a bullet.

A must-see look at the manufacturing wizardry behind pistols, fire trucks, ghillie suits and armored fighting vehicles; with troops' lives on the line, there is no margin for error.

Cannons, parachutes and stretchers are just some of the vital gear armies around the world rely on every day - see how they are made.

Discover how flight simulators work, how rocket launchers are attached to guns and how nutritious ration packs are assembled.

From standard issue to high-tech, this fascinating show reveals how frontline gear is made; the Jaws of Life, the M1 Abrams tank and the military watch are put under the spotlight.

Discover the incredible manufacturing skill that goes into making cavalry swords and simulated ammunition; the brainpower that keeps the iconic F-16 fighter jet in the sky.

See how camouflage make-up, the M2 machine gun and the Argo amphibious ATV are built to withstand the toughest conditions.

Get to know the essential military kit that could mean the difference between life and death, including combat boots, the CZ 75 pistol, unmanned aerial vehicles and the rifle scope.

Get clued-up on the equipment that helps armies win wars all over the globe; discover how a rugged case, a military survival shelter and an armored personnel carrier are all made.

This final episode of the military series reveals how Swiss Army knives, submachine guns, body armor and laser sights are made; there is no room for error when lives are at stake.