The Ultimates

It’s technology with attitude. It’s all about people with magnificent obsessions. It’s about speed, movement, danger and machines. New machines, new technologies. New challenges, new fanatics. From the closeted world of amateurs, to the professionals who want to push the edge of the envelope. Fun, ironic, and at times downright scary, this series goes to the very frontiers of human creativity. Filmed in the UK, USA and around the world.

ULTIMATE THRILL RIDES

Buy a ticket, buckle up – and pray you survive. A new breed of thrill ride has screamed into a town near you. Designed to push the limits of fear and endurance, these are the fastest, highest, most gut-wrenching rides on earth.

ULTIMATE STRIKE PLANES

The Eurofighter Typhoon. The F-22A Raptor. Fast, agile, and bristling with fighting technologies, these are the future of fighter aircraft. Lighter, deadlier, more accurate and armed with such “toys” as helmet-guided lasers.

ULTIMATE EXPLOSIONS

From the ultimate wartime explosions, to the worst accidental blow up, to the ultimate detonation of all time – a study in the science of bombs and explosive human stories behind the blasts.

ULTIMATE COMBAT HELICOPTERS

2004 will see the unveiling of the Comanche RAH64 – the most advanced attack/recon helicopter ever made. It can turn 90 degrees in 2 seconds, fly backwards at over 70 knots.We go stealth, behind enemy lines to explore where the science of flight is taking us.

ULTIMATE TRAINS

Engineers have designed a train that will carry passengers at Mach 7 – 10 times faster than current airliners. This supersonic train could go from New York to L.A. in one hour.We detail the science of train travel and these whiz bang models now in development.

ULTIMATE RACING CRASHES

In 2001, four racing drivers, including the legendary Dale Earnhardt, die in horrendous crashes. How can technologies protect against extreme speed? How can medicine save those who survive near fatal impacts? It’s a terrifying ride through sports’ worst collisions.