Tactical to Practical
Tactical to Practical is a short-lived History Channel program that ran from 2003 to 2005. Each episode documents ways in which technologies utilized by the civilian public were originally developed to serve military purposes. The show is hosted by Hunter Ellis.
Episodes21
Humvee / Night Vision / GPS
Former Navy fighter pilot and series host Hunter Ellis examines military solutions to problems that crossed over into civilian life. Hunter explores the Army's relationship with four-wheel drive--from WWII Jeeps to the Humvee. From off-road to the dark of night, he takes a glowing green look into night vision technology, now used in law enforcement and wildlife research. And, he shows how GPS (Global Positioning System) came into its own in Desert Storm and is about to make the compass obsolete!
Submarines / Miracle Materials / Radar
Attack Planes / Animals at War / Inflatables
Tanks / Satellites / Parachutes
Navy SEALS Dive Gear / Food Tech / Robots
Light Off-Road Vehicles / Battlefield ER / Drones
Hunter teaches us about the offroad abilities of the desert patrol vehical.
Spy Gear / MedEvac Helicopters / Specialty Boats
Included: MedEvac helicopters; specialty boats. Also: a tour of the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. Host: Hunter Ellis.
Hot Choppers / Lasers / Firefighting
A look at submarine rescue operations; the history of dirigibles; and military snow gear. Also: treasure hunter Mel Fisher explores the wreckage of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a Spanish ship that sank in 1622 off the coast of Florida. Host: Hunter Ellis.
Survival Training / People in Space / Explosives
Boys' Toys
Specialty Planes / Secrets of the MPs / Non-Lethal Weapons
Wired Warfare / Need for Speed
Super Ships / Armored Cars / Simulators
A segment on ships adapted for civilian use which includes a retrospective on the ships of World Wars I and II; and tours of modern naval vessels. Also: armored vehicles and simulators. Host: Hunter Ellis.
Winter Warfare / Optics / Gliders
A look at how winter warfare helped the winter-sports industry. Also: gun sights; gliders. Host: Hunter Ellis.
Special Duty Trucks / Ballistic Missile Defense / Weather
Hybrid Vehicles / Camouflage / Scanning Technology
Balloons / Army Engineers / Command Centers
Deep Sea Exploration / Blimps and Dirigibles / Snow Gear
A look at submarine rescue operations; the history of dirigibles; and military snow gear. Also: treasure hunter Mel Fisher explores the wreckage of the Nuestra Senora de Atocha, a Spanish ship that sank in 1622 off the coast of Florida. Host: Hunter Ellis.
Search & Rescue Units / High Mobility Medicine / Secret Codes
Crash Survival / ROVs / Video Surveillance