modern warfare
Today's military conflict
Modern warfare refers to military conflict conducted with contemporary technology, tactics, and strategies, typically dating from the 20th century onward.
It encompasses mechanized combat, air power, nuclear weapons, cyber operations, and drone strikes, distinguishing it from earlier forms of war fought primarily with infantry and cavalry.
The term also names a popular video game franchise, *Call of Duty: Modern Warfare*, which simulates contemporary military combat scenarios.
Combating armed rebellion tactics
- guerrillaIrregular armed fighter
- IEDMakeshift explosive weapon
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
- special operationsCovert military missions
insurgency · terrorism · checkpoint · hearts and minds · embedded · patrol · convoy · rules of engagement
Exchange of gunfire
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- assaultViolent offensive act
- infantryGround combat troops
- soldiersMilitary personnel who fight
artillery · occupation · airstrike · ground forces · mortars · small arms · body armor · convoy
Self-directing precision weapons
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- night visionAbility to see dimly
- laser-guidedSteered by light beam
- satellitesBodies circling larger ones
infrared · missiles · jet fighters · radar · robotics · exoskeletons · biometrics · sonar
Infiltrating protected digital systems
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- cyberespionageComputer-based intelligence gathering
- malwareHarmful computer programs
- ransomwareHostage-taking code
DDoS · data breach · zero-day · phishing · botnets · cybersecurity · disinformation · social engineering
Crewless aircraft
- PredatorAlien species hunting humans
- targeted killingDeliberate state lethal force
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
- reconnaissanceInformation-gathering before action
airstrike · combat drones · overwatch · operator · unmanned · pilotless
counterinsurgency
Combating armed rebellion tactics
special operations · insurgency · terrorism · checkpoint · hearts and minds · embedded · patrol · convoy · rules of engagement · collateral damage
firefight
Exchange of gunfire
- battlefieldCombat engagement area
- assaultViolent offensive act
- infantryGround combat troops
soldiers · artillery · occupation · airstrike · ground forces · mortars · small arms · body armor · convoy · sniper
smart bombs
Self-directing precision weapons
- stealthSecret, undetected movement
- night visionAbility to see dimly
- laser-guidedSteered by light beam
satellites · infrared · missiles · jet fighters · radar · robotics · exoskeletons · biometrics · sonar · hypersonic weapons
hacking
Infiltrating protected digital systems
- cyberattackMalicious digital intrusion
- cyberespionageComputer-based intelligence gathering
- malwareHarmful computer programs
ransomware · DDoS · data breach · zero-day · phishing · botnets · cybersecurity · disinformation · social engineering · APT
UAV
Crewless aircraft
- PredatorAlien species hunting humans
- targeted killingDeliberate state lethal force
- surveillanceSystematic observation of subjects
reconnaissance · airstrike · combat drones · overwatch · operator · unmanned · pilotless
- war gameswargaming, wargame, war games, combat simulations, Age of Empires
- military historybattles, soldiers, campaigns, officers, battlefields
- wargameswargame, wargaming, war game, strategy game, naval combat
- military erasWorld War I, Vietnam War, Korean War, Hundred Years War, Thirty Years War
modern warfareancient warfare
Early civilization military conflicts
medieval warfare · traditional warfare · cavalry charges · tribal warfare · chariot warfare
modern warfarehand-to-hand combat
Fighting without distance weapons
conventional arms · siege warfare · chariot warfare · mounted combat
modern, warfare, modernize, modernized, modernizing, postmodern, modernizer, modernizes, premodern