forerunners of modern rocket launchers can be considered weapons from China.Shells can cover a distance of 1.6 km away, releasing a huge amount for the purpose of arrows.In the West, such devices have appeared only after 400 years.
History missile guns
first rockets were exclusively due to the emergence of gunpowder, which was invented in China.Alchemists have opened this item by accident, when prepared for the elixir of eternal life.In the XI century, it was first used gunpowder bombs that were sent to the target from catapults.It was the first weapon the mechanism of which resembles rocket launchers.
Rockets started in China in 1400 were most similar to modern instruments.The range of their flight was over 1.5 km.They represented two missiles equipped engines.Before the fall of them took off a huge number of arrows.After China such weapons appeared in India, then fell to England.
General Congreve in 1799 on the basis of developing a new type of ammunition gunpowder.They were immediately taken into service in the British army.Then came the huge cannon, which produces missiles at a distance of 1.6 km.
Even earlier, in 1516, grassroots Zaporozhye Cossacks near Belgorod in the destruction of the Tatar hordes of the Crimean Khan Giray Malik applied even more innovative rocket launchers.With the new armament, they were able to defeat the Tatar army, which was much more numerous Cossack.Unfortunately, the secret of its development Cossacks have taken with them, dying in the subsequent battles.
Achievements A. Zasyadko
big breakthrough in the creation of launchers has been made Alexander D. Zasyadko.It was he who invented and successfully implemented the first RCD - multiple rocket launchers.From one such construction could be released almost simultaneously at least six missiles.Plants have a low weight, making it possible to transfer them to any convenient location.Zasyadko development were highly appreciated by the Grand Duke Constantine, the brother of the king.In his report to Alexander I, he seeks Zasyadko Colonel conferring the rank of Major General.
Development rocket launchers in the XIX-XX centuries.
In the XIX century the construction of rockets on nitroporohe (smokeless powder) began to engage in NITikhomirov VAArtemyev.The first launch of such a missile fired in the USSR in 1928.Shells could overcome the distance of 5-6 km.
Thanks to the contribution of Professor KE Tsiolkovsky Russian scientists from RNII IIGvaya, VNGalkovsky, APPavlenko ASPopov in 1938-1941 years there was a multi-bit rocket launcher RS-M13 and installation of BM-13.At the same time, Russian scientists create missiles.These missiles - "eresy" - will be a major part of not yet existing "Katyusha".Over its creation will work a few more years.
Installation "Katyusha»
As it turned out, five days before the German attack on the USSR group LESchwartz showed in the Moscow region a new tool called "Katyusha".Rocket launcher at the time was known as the BM-13.Tests were conducted June 17, 1941 on Sofrino proving ground with the participation of Chief of Staff GKZhukov, People's Commissar of Defense, ammunition and weapons, and other representatives of the Red Army.July 1 this military equipment left Moscow for the front.And in two weeks, "Katyusha" visited the first baptism of fire.Hitler was defeated in shock to learn about the effectiveness of the rocket launcher.
Germans were afraid of guns and were trying to capture or kill him.Attempts to recreate the designers in Germany the same weapon is not successful.The shells did not pick up speed, we had a chaotic trajectory and hit the target.Gunpowder Soviet production was clearly of a different quality, to develop it spent decades.German counterparts could not replace him, which leads to unstable ammunition.
creation of this powerful weapon opened a new page in the history of the development of artillery weapons.Terrible "Katyusha" began to wear the honorary title of "weapon of victory."
Development features
Missile launchers BM-13 consists of a six-wheel all-wheel drive truck and special design.For cabin crew was assigned to the missile launch system on the platform installed there.Special lift hydraulically lifted the front of the 45-degree angle.Initially, there was provided for movement of the platform to the right or left.Therefore, the targeting was necessary to fully deploy the entire truck.16 rockets fired from the plant, flew on a free path to the location of the enemy.The crew has already made amendments in the management of fire.So far, more modern versions of this weapon used by the army in some countries.
replaced BM-13 in the 1950s came multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) BM-14.
Missile launchers "Grad»
following modification of the system was the "Castle."Rocket launcher has been created for the same purpose as the previous similar samples.Only problem for developers complicated.The firing range should not be less than 20 km.
develop new missiles took up SRI 147, which previously did not create such weapons.In 1958, under the direction of A.Ganicheva with the support of the State Committee for Defense Technology, work began on developing a missile to a new modification of the installation.To create a manufacturing technology used artillery shells.Cases created by the method of hot exhaust.Stabilization of the projectile is due to the tail and rotation.
After numerous experiments in rockets "Grad" was first used feathers of four curved blades, which are disclosed at the start.Thus, ANGanichev able to ensure that the missile was part of the great tubular guide, and its flight stabilization system turned out to be ideal for the firing range of 20 km.Major steel makers NII-147, NII-6 GSKB-47, SKB-203.
tests were carried out on the range "Rzhevka" near Leningrad March 1, 1962 and a year later, March 28, 1963, adopted the country adopted the "Castle."Rocket launcher was put into production January 29, 1964
composition "Castle»
NWD BM21 includes the following elements:
- rocket launcher that is mounted on the stern of the car chassis "Ural-375";
- fire control system and the transport and loading vehicle 9T254 based on the "ZIL-131";
- 40 three-meter rails in the form of pipes, installed on the base, which is rotated horizontally and vertically induced.
Guidance done manually or with the help of the drive.Charging installation manually.The car can move charged.Shooting is volley or single shots.If a salvo of 40 missiles affected vital force in an area of 1046 square meters.m.
shells for "Grad»
for shooting, you can use different types of missiles.They differ in the firing range, weight, target lesion.They are used to engage manpower, armored vehicles, mortar batteries, aircraft and helicopters on the ground, mining, installation of smoke screens, creating interference poisoning by chemical substances.
modification of the system "Grad" a huge amount.All of them are in service around the world.
Long-range MLRS "Uragan»
Simultaneously with the development of "Castle" The Soviet Union was engaged in the creation of long-range multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS).Before the advent of "Hurricane" experienced rocket launchers P-103, P-110 "Teal", "Kite".All of them were assessed as positive but were not powerful enough and had its drawbacks.
At the end of 1968 to work out the long-range 220-mm NWB.Originally it was called "Castle-3."The full new system was taken after the decision to develop the Ministry of Defense Industry of the USSR on March 31, 1969.In Perm the gun factory number 172 in February 1972 produced a prototype of MLRS "Hurricane."Rocket launcher was adopted by 18 March 1975.After 15 years in the Soviet Union it was located 10 MLRS rocket artillery regiments "Hurricane" and one reactive artbrigady.
In 2001, many systems "Hurricane" was in service in the former Soviet Union:
- Russia - 800;
- Kazakhstan - 50;
- Moldova - 15;
- Tajikistan - 12;
- Turkmenistan - 54;
- Uzbekistan - 48;
- Ukraine - 139.
shells to the "Hurricanes" is very similar to the ammunition to the "Grad".The same components are part of the missile 9M27 and powder charges 9H164.To reduce the range of action they also wear the brake ring.Their length of 4832-5178 mm, and weight - 271-280 kg.Funnel diaphragm medium density has a diameter of 8 meters and a depth of 3 meters.Firing range of 10-35 km.Fragments of shells exploding at a distance of 10 m can penetrate 6 mm steel barrier.
For what purpose use of the "Hurricane"?Rocket launcher is designed to engage manpower, armored vehicles, artpodrazeleny, tactical missiles, air defense systems, helicopters parked, communication centers, military and industrial targets.
Precise MLRS "Smerch»
uniqueness of the system is a combination of factors such as the power, range and accuracy.The world's first guided MLRS with rotating projectiles - a rocket launcher "Smerch", which still has no analogues in the world.Its missiles can reach the outskirts of the target, which is 70 km away from the gun.New MRL have adopted in the USSR 19 November 1987.
in 2001 of the "Hurricane" were in such countries (former Soviet Union):
- Russia - 300 vehicles;
- Belarus - 48 cars;
- Ukraine - 94 machines.
projectile has a length of 7600 mm.Its weight is 800 kg.All varieties have a huge destructive and destructive effect.Losses from batteries "Uragan" and "Smerch" are equal to the actions of tactical nuclear weapons.However, their use is not considered a world so dangerous.They are equated with weapons such as guns or tanks.
reliable and powerful "Topol»
In 1975, the Moscow Institute of Thermal began to develop mobile system that can launch missiles from different locations.So complex was the rocket launcher "Topol".It was a response to the emergence of the Soviet Union managed by the US intercontinental ballistic missiles (they have adopted in the US in 1959).
first tests took place December 23, 1983.During a series of missile launches showed itself as a reliable and powerful weapon.
In 1999, a ten-position areas was located 360 complexes "Topol".
Every year in Russia launch a single missile "Topol".Since the creation of the complex was carried out about 50 tests.All of them have passed without any problems.This means high reliability of the equipment.
to defeat the purpose of the small size of the Soviet Union was developed divisional rocket launcher "Tochka-U".Work on the creation of this instrument began March 4, 1968 by the Council of Ministers.Contractor was Kolomenskoye KB.Chief Designer - SPUndefeated.For missile control system responsible CRI AG.Launcher produced in Volgograd.
What is SAM
Set of various military and technical means, which are connected together to deal with the means of attacking the enemy from the air and space, called the anti-aircraft missiles (SAMs).
They are distinguished by the place of military action, mobility, according to the method of movement and guidance of range.These include rocket launcher "Buck" and "Eagle", "Wasp" and others.What is the difference between the design of this type?Anti-aircraft missile launcher includes means for exploration and transportation, automatic tracking of air targets, the launcher surface-to-air missile, the device to control the missile and its escorts, means of control over the equipment.
