Firepower draws on Britain's most important artillery collection to present the story of artillery from the earliest use of gunpowder to the present day. Science, ingenuity and the human predicament, rather than military glory, are the themes explored.

The human element is key throughout. Personal possessions, documents and uniforms provide tangible evidence for the stories being told. Touchscreens link artefacts to their stories whilst simulators allow visitors to find out how they would measure up as a gunner. Highlights include Field of Fire, a spectacular multimedia presentation that combines archive film, sound and image to evoke the experience of a 20th-century gunner.