Combat Ships

Combat Ships - Smithsonian Channel

Smithsonian Channel

Reality Series

2017

TVPG

Documentary

Military

War

Documentary series that tells the story of the evolution of maritime conflict.

Where to Stream

2017–2023 Reality Series 4 Seasons34 Episodes

Upcoming TV Airings

The airings below are based on a generic national schedule. Times and dates can vary by TV provider.

Thursday, December 4

Viking Longships

Season 2 • Episode 1

The story of one of the world's most effective war machines: the Viking longship.

Thursday, December 4

Wooden Warships

Season 1 • Episode 9

A look at the most famous wooden warships over the course of 500 years.

Thursday, December 4

Destroyers and Cruisers

Season 2 • Episode 4

The ships that made empires, from Britain's lone wolves to the USS Laffey's fight against kamikazes.

Thursday, December 4

Rescue Ships

Season 1 • Episode 7

A look at wartime rescue ships and the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others.

Thursday, December 4

Game Changers

Season 3 • Episode 1

Experimental ships and revolutionary designers that have changed the tide of war.

Thursday, December 4

Mutiny

Season 4 • Episode 5

A look at how technological advances over the centuries have transformed maritime warfare.

Thursday, December 4

Stealth

Season 2 • Episode 2

From secret missions that helped win World War II to modern stealth ships using strange shapes.

Thursday, December 4

Smugglers and Pirates

Season 4 • Episode 6

Maritime forces guard US waters and ships from pirates and drug smugglers.

Thursday, December 4

Heroes of Guadalcanal

Season 4 • Episode 4

A comprehensive look at the naval battle of Guadalcanal and the efforts of U.S. sailors.

Thursday, December 11

Amphibious Assaults

Season 2 • Episode 8

The evolution of amphibious assault vehicles, including the restoration of Britain's last LCT 7074.

Thursday, December 11

World Wars

Season 1 • Episode 1

A look at how the role of battleships changed over the course of the First and Second World Wars.

Thursday, December 11

Torpedo Boats

Season 1 • Episode 5

A look at some of the most fearsome torpedo boats, used by both sides during the World Wars.

Thursday, December 11

The Battle of Leyte Gulf

Season 2 • Episode 7

The Battle of Leyte Gulf in WWII was three days of ingenious strategy and white-knuckle combat.

Thursday, December 11

Secrets of the Sea

Season 2 • Episode 5

Stories of espionage at sea, including deadly U-boat cat-and-mouse games during WWI.

Thursday, December 11

The Battle of Trafalgar

Season 3 • Episode 2

The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 pitted Napoleon's French ships against a British armada.

Thursday, December 11

The Battle of Incheon

Season 3 • Episode 3

A crucial September 1950 military operation carried out by the ROK and UN amid the Korean War.