missiles as weapons were known to many people and created in different countries.They are believed to have appeared even earlier barreled firearms.So, the outstanding Russian general and also a scientist Konstantinov wrote that while the invention of artillery came into use and missiles.They are used everywhere where the gunpowder was used.And once they started to use for military purposes, then, for this and created a special missile forces.This article focuses on the emergence and development of the said kind of arms, from fireworks to space travel.
How it all began
According to the official history, gunpowder was invented in China in about the 11th century AD.However naive the Chinese have not invented anything better than to use it for filling fireworks.And now, after several centuries of "enlightened" Europeans have created a more powerful compounding powder and immediately found a use for it chic: guns, bombs and so on. D. Well, leave it on the conscience of the statement of historians.We were with you was not in ancient China, so say anything you should not.What do they say about the first written sources using rockets in the army?
Charter of the Russian army (1607-1621) as the documentary evidence
The fact that in Russia and in Europe, the military had information on the manufacture, device, storage and use of signal, incendiary rockets and fireworks, tells us "Charter martial,cannon and other cases relating to the military science. "It is composed of 663 articles, decrees, selected from the foreign military literature.That is, this document confirms the existence of missiles in the armies of Europe and Russia, but nowhere is there mention of using them directly at any battles.Nevertheless, we can conclude that they were used, once they got into the hands of the military.
On this thorny path ...
Despite the misunderstanding and fear of anything new military officials, Russian missile forces still become one of the leading branches of service.The modern army is hard to imagine without a rocket.However, the path of their formation was very difficult.
Officially, the Russian army took the first signal (lighting) missiles in 1717.After almost a hundred years, in 1814-1817 gg., Military scientist AI Kartmazov seek recognition from the officials fighting explosive and incendiary rockets (2, 2.5 and 3.6-inch) own making.They had a range of 1.5-3 km.On their arms and not accepted.
In 1815-1817 gg.Russian artillery AD Zasyadko also invents a similar live ammunition, and they also do not allow military officials.The next attempt was made in the 1823-1825 biennium.After going through many offices of the War Ministry, the idea was finally approved, and the Russian army came first military rockets (2, 2.5, 3 and 4-inch).Flight distance was 1-2,7 km.
This tumultuous 19th century
In 1826 begins mass production of the said weapons.To do this, create the first rocket Petersburg institution.In April next year, a company formed by the first missile (in 1831 it was renamed to the battery).This combat unit was intended for joint action with the cavalry and infantry.But with this event and the official history of missile forces of our country.
baptism of fire
first Russian missile forces have been used in August 1827 in the Caucasus during the Russian-Iranian war (1826-1828.).A year later, during the war with Turkey, they had a bet command during the siege of the fortress of Varna.For example, in 1828 a campaign was launched in 1191 the rocket, including 380 and 811 high-explosive incendiary.Since then, the missile forces play a major role in any military battles.
military engineer KA Schilder
This talented man in 1834 developed the design that brought missiles to a new stage of development.His device was designed for underground missile launch, it had a sloping guide tube type.However, progress has not stopped Schilder.He developed missiles with enhanced explosive effect.In addition, he was the first in the world to apply elektrozapaly to ignite the solid fuel.In the same 1834 year Schilder designed and even tested the world's first missile-carrying submarine and steam.He established on boats to start the installation of missiles with surface and underwater situation.As you can see, the first half of the 19th century is characterized by the development and widespread use of this type of armament.
Lieutenant General Konstantinov
In 1840-1860 gg.great contribution to the development of the missile as well as the theory of its combat use made representative of Russian artillery school, inventor and scientist Konstantinov.His scientific work, he made a revolution in the rocket, so that Russian machinery has taken a leading place in the world.He developed the basics of experimental dynamics, scientific methods of design of this type of armament.A number of devices and instruments for the determination of the ballistic characteristics.The scientist acted as a pioneer in the manufacture of missiles, to mass-produce.He has made a huge difference in the safety of the treasure in the process of manufacturing weapons.
Konstantinov developed a more powerful rocket launchers and machine them.As a result, the maximum range of 5.3 km.Starting machines have become more portable, convenient and perfect, they provide high accuracy and rate of fire, especially in the highlands.In 1856, the project in Nikolaev Konstantinov was built rocket factory.
Moor has done his job
In the 19th century the missile troops and artillery made a grand leap forward in its development and dissemination.For example, military missiles were put into service in all military districts.Not a single warship and naval base, which would not be used missile troops.They were directly involved in the battle field, and at the siege and storming of the Bastille, and so on. D. However, by the end of the 19th century Missiles was far behind advanced cannon artillery, especially after the appearance of long-range rifled guns.And then came 1890.It was the end for the missile forces: this type of weapons were taken out of production in all countries of the world.
Jet Propulsion: like a phoenix ...
Despite the refusal of the Army Missile Forces, scientists continued their work on this type of weapon.So, MM Pomortsev offer new solutions on increasing the flight distance and accuracy.IV Volovskiy developed rocket rotating type, aircraft and ground-based multi-barreled launchers.NV Gerasimov designed combat antiaircraft solid counterparts.
main obstacle to the development of this technology is the lack of a theoretical framework.To solve this problem, a group of Russian scientists in the late 19th and early 20th century held a titanic work, and has made a significant contribution to the theory of jet propulsion.However, the founder of the unified theory of rocket dynamics and space became Tsiolkovsky.This eminent scholar from 1883 until the last days of his life working on a solution to the problems in the rocket and space flights.They were resolved the basic problems of the theory of jet propulsion.
selfless labor of many Russian scientists gave a new impetus to the development of these weapons, and, consequently, a new life to this old forces.Even today, in our country, space troops associated with the names of prominent figures - Tsiolkovsky and Queen.
Soviet Russia
After the revolution, the work on the missiles were not stopped, and in 1933 in Moscow was even founded Jet Research Institute.It was designed by Soviet scientists ballistic and cruise missiles and the experimental raketoplanery.In addition, significantly improved developed missiles and launchers for them.This includes which later became the legendary combat vehicle BM-13 "Katyusha".In RNII it made a number of discoveries.A set of projects units, devices and systems, subsequently used in rocket technology.
Great Patriotic War
«Katyusha" became the world's first multiple rocket launchers.And most importantly, the creation of this machine contributed to the resumption of the special missile forces.By the beginning of World War II combat vehicle BM-13 was put into service.Difficult situation that prevailed in 1941, demanded a speedy entry of a new missile.Industrial restructuring has been carried out in the shortest possible time.And in August, in the production of this type of weapons were involved in 214 factories.As we said above, the armed forces have been re-designed missile forces, but during the war they were called Guards mortar units, and then to the present day - reactive artillery.
Fighting machine BM-13 "Katyusha»
first GMCH shared on batteries and battalions.Thus, the first missile battery, which consisted of seven pilot plants and a minor amount of projectiles, under Captain Flerov was formed for three days and 2 July focused on the Western Front.And on July 14, "Katyusha" fired his first salvo at the Battle of Orsha railway station (fighting machine BM-13 is shown in the photo).
missile forces in his debut struck a powerful blow at the same time firing 112 shells.As a result, over the station blazing glow: the ammunition exploded, burning trains.Fire tornado destroyed the enemy manpower and military equipment.The combat effectiveness of missile exceeded all expectations.During the years of the Second World War there was a significant leap in the development of jet technology, which has led to a significant spread of GMCH.By the end of the war missile forces consisted of 40 individual divisions, 115 regiments, 40 separate brigades and 7 divisions - 519 in all divisions.
you want peace - prepare for war
After the war, rocket artillery continued to develop - increased range, accuracy of fire and capacity volley.Soviet military complex created a generation of 40-barrel 122 mm MLRS "Grad" and "Prima", 16-barreled 220 mm MLRS "Hurricane" to ensure the defeat of targets at a distance of 35 km.In 1987, it was designed 12-tube 300mm long-range MLRS "Smerch", which to this day has no analogues in the world.Range of defeats the purpose of this installation is 70 km away.In addition, the Army got tactical, tactical and anti-tank systems.
New types of weapons
In the 50s of the last century there was a division of missile troops in different directions.But rocket artillery maintained its position and today.We have created new species - it's anti-aircraft missile troops and strategic forces.These units are firmly established on land, at sea, under water and in the air.Thus, anti-aircraft missile troops as a separate kind of troops represented in air defense, but such units exist in the Navy.With the creation of nuclear weapons arose the main question: how to deliver a charge to your destination?In the USSR was made a choice in favor of missiles as a result were the Strategic Rocket Forces.
Milestones RVSN
- 1959-1965 biennium.- The creation, deployment, setting to alert intercontinental ballistic missiles, capable of solving the problem of a strategic nature in a variety of military and geographic areas.In 1962, the Strategic Missile Forces took part in the military operation "Anadyr", resulting in Cuba were secretly placed medium-range missiles.
- 1965-1973 biennium.- The deployment of the second generation of ICBMs.The conversion of the Strategic Missile Forces in the main component of the nuclear forces of the USSR.
- 1973-1985 biennium.- Equipment RVSN third-generation rockets with multiple warhead with blocks of individual guidance.
- 1985-1991 biennium.- The elimination of intermediate-range missiles and weapons complexes RVNS fourth generation.
- 1992-1995 biennium.- IDB concluded with Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan.Formed Russian Strategic Missile Forces.
- 1996-2000 biennium.- The introduction of the fifth generation of rockets "Topol-M".Combining the Military Space Forces, Strategic Missile Forces and the Missile Space Defense.
- 2001 - RVSN converted into 2 of the Armed Forces - the Strategic Missile Forces and the Space Forces.
Conclusion The development and establishment of the missile troops rather heterogeneous.It has its ups and downs, and even the complete elimination of "missile" in the armies of the world in the late 19th century.However, the rocket, like a phoenix, rise from the ashes of the Second World War and firmly fixed in the military complex.
And despite the fact that over the past 70 years of rocket troops have undergone significant changes in the organizational structure, forms, methods of their combat use, they always retain the role that can be described in just a few words: to be a deterrent against the aggression was launchedagainst our country.In Russia, November 19 is considered to be a professional day of missile troops and artillery.This day was approved by Presidential Decree № 549 from 31.05.2006 years.On the right photo shows the emblem of the Russian missile forces.
