Smart Bombs

During the Gulf War, as Americans huddled around televisions to watch General Schwarzkopf's daily briefings, a star emerged. It was not the general or any of the soldiers who fought in the desert sands. It was, instead, a remarkable weapon that showed the future of warfare. SMART BOMBS chronicles the development of the most sophisticated missiles ever built, which use space-age technology to deliver their deadly payloads with unheard-of accuracy. Engineers reveal how these weapons are able to perform with such astonishing precision, and strategists reveal the impact they will have in future conflicts. And see extensive footage of them in action in the Gulf War and at military proving grounds where they are continually being refined. It's a remarkable look at a weapon that has changed the way war is waged in the modern world.

• documentary