What weapons were used at the parade? From the Kalashnikov of the Stone Age to the nuclear bomb: how humanity developed weapons throughout history
Ukrainian holidays have passed. They passed with songs, with collective crying of “puppies”. They went with embroidered shirts and a lot of national flags on everything that could somehow be considered a “shaft”. But we, a military-patriotic publication, were most interested in precisely that part of the holidays that is associated with the army. That is a parade.
Moreover, the military parade began to be advertised long before the event itself. Advertise as historical event. Like a demonstration of a new army, new military equipment and weapons. President Poroshenko personally promised to amaze everyone with what he saw. In general, the calculation was correct. Ukrainians who watched remember our parade. They remember our technology. They remember our soldiers. They still believe that such an official will not lie.
It turned out that they believed in vain. And we believed, and, most importantly, the Ukrainians. Ukraine's new army was reminiscent of Yeltsin-era military parades in Russia. At least in terms of equipment and weapons.
What is presented at the parade was relevant in the last century. It's in the past. Yes, and it was created at the same time. Just for reference, here are some " latest systems"a new army created in 2 years. Capable of repelling any (read Russia) aggressor.
BTR-80. It is the one that has been the main armored personnel carrier of the Soviet army since 1984.
BMP-2. Nice car. Fully meets modern requirements. It was only adopted by the Soviet army in 1977. Almost 40 years ago!
BMD-2. Probably the newest one listed. Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1985.
"Humvee", or more correctly - an armored vehicle "Humvee". It's just that not everyone knows that the Hummer is a civilian vehicle. The army version is the Humvee. Adopted by the US Army in 1983.
Tank T-64BM "Oplot". The tank itself was created in the early 60s of the last century. What Poroshenko is so proud of is a modification of one of the 64 versions. T-64 B. And has been produced in Ukraine since 2005.
122-mm regimental howitzer 2S1 "Gvozdika". Developed and began to enter the Soviet Army in 1972.
100 mm anti-tank gun MT-12 "Rapier". Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1961!
MLRS "Grad" BM-21. Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1963. By the way, the system is in service with more than 50 armies around the world.
MLRS "Smerch". A newer vehicle, but still no longer frightening to fighters. Adopted by the Soviet army in 1987.
Tactical missile system "Tochka-U". Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1975.
SAM "Osa". Adopted by the Soviet Army in 1971.
SAM "Buk M-1". It is a modernization of the Buk-1 complex, adopted for service in the form that the Ukrainians presented in 1982.
S-300PS air defense system. The complex was accepted by Soviet soldiers and officers in 1982.
This is what not only Russians, but also Americans, Europeans, and Chinese should be afraid of. Yes, that's all, what a waste of time. But there were also new weapons. Some didn't notice. It would be worth it.
First of all, this is the Ukrainian armored personnel carrier BTR-4E. Developed in Kharkov since 2002. The first sample was shown in 2006. However, mass production began only in 2008. A conventional armored personnel carrier with the Parus combat module developed for Iraq.
Another new product is the Dozor-V light armored vehicle. The car is also quite young. Produced since 2004. But it has still not been possible to bring this machine to fruition. Unenviable fate at this car.
Basically, you see what modern Ukrainian army Today. What do they offer Ukrainians to be proud of? It’s clear that you definitely won’t be able to intimidate anyone from the outside. This means that the parade is a product of domestic consumption.
By the way, I was amused by Shariy’s next video on the theme of the “parade”. It turns out that everything that was shown in 2008, when Ukraine did not have an army, was shown today. When there is a new army, armed and dressed (we emphasize) in modern, and most importantly, beautiful shape. Well, yes, and they painted crimson crosses. Okay, at least they're not pink.
It’s just not clear, was there no army in 2008, or what? After all, if we take it by analogy, it turns out that it does not exist today. Once at the parade everything was the same as in 2008, when there was no army.
And then what was created “from scratch”? What was added to this figure? Or was it multiplied by it?
But what was most pleasing was the reaction of the media. In general, there was a strong belief that this parade was not for Ukrainians. Having interviewed a dozen and a half of my acquaintances, I was surprised to find that only one watched the parade. And even then, as part of the ambulance crew. The rest didn't care about the word "at all". And the further from Kyiv, the stronger.
And the Ukrainian media worked conscientiously. There were so many videos, so many reports... And all with an eye on Russia. Russia, how are you there? Are you looking? Do you see? Do you see it exactly? Are you imbued with the greatness of the newly created Ukrainian army?
Let's not get into it. Alas.
Not because we have a lot of pride, we just got smarter. And they began to understand that all these attempts were nothing more than an attempt to show at least something. Okay, they showed something. Frankly old stuff, which for the most part is already becoming an object of replacement in our country. They just didn’t make a replacement for “Rapier”, let the veteran serve out the rest. And instead of it, “Chrysanthemums” and “Cornets” will work to the fullest.
All this is in vain. How to eat in vain. Our Russian citizen has long given up on this territory. It is clear and understandable that nothing sensible will come out from that side. The simplest thing to do is wait. Wait until the orderlies in the madhouse get tired of this show, and they disperse the patients to their cells.
We understand perfectly well what the “new army of Ukraine” is worth. Collected from warehouses left over from the USSR, painted and christened. And how long this army can hold out “if something happens.”
There just won't be a chance. You can long and persistently call Russia an aggressor, you can furiously stomp your little feet, shouting that we will return Crimea, but this will not change the essence.
We will not return Crimea. Dot.
And there is no point in telling us about how strong the Ukrainian army is. We don't care anymore. We just know and understand how much stronger we are. So much so that we can defeat the Ukrainian army only in one case - if we catch up. But she underwent a “baptism of fire” near Ilovaisk and Debaltsevo.” new army“It won’t be easy to catch up now.
And for a long time now the reports about the next “zrada” have not been encouraging. We've eaten. It's not funny anymore.
So, gentlemen, Ukrainian guardians, leave these attempts. In Russia, it’s not interesting to look at all this, and it’s not funny. Get busy better things to do urgent. The status of Donbass, for example.
The day before the start of the XXIII Winter Winter Championships in Pyeongchang, South Korea Olympic Games During the next military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea demonstrated almost its entire military arsenal. Despite the fact that Kim Jong-un’s main military show this time did not surpass in scale previous military shows in the capital of North Korea, it gave more than a clear idea of the combat capabilities of the DPRK armed forces.
Intercontinental ballistic missiles of the Hwasong-15 type passed through the main square of Pyongyang.
The product is placed on a self-propelled wheeled conveyor with nine axles. Thus, this is one of the variants of the North Korean PGRK - a mobile ground-based missile system. It is based on a Chinese-made WS51200 truck chassis. The DPRK has converted these tractors purchased from China into wheeled chassis for mobile ground-based missile systems with intercontinental ballistic missiles.
According to experts, there are only six such installations in North Korea. Analysts believe that Kim Jong-un’s strategic nuclear forces could have more self-propelled launchers with ICBMs on board, but the development of North Korean PGRKs is greatly limited by the shortage of Chinese multi-axle chassis. Beijing was very annoyed when it learned what its WS51200 chassis was being used for.
The Hwasong-15 missile is of particular concern in the United States. Its flight range is from 10 to 13 thousand km. Thus, when launched from the territory of the DPRK, it is capable of reaching any point in the continental United States, including the East Coast.
Then three Hwasong-14 mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles passed through Kim Il Sung Square. These missiles are slightly smaller in size than the Hwasong-15. The Hwasong-14 missile has a firing range of 6.7-10 thousand km. After the first successful launch of this missile, new sanctions were imposed on the DPRK.
Following the Hwasong-14, ballistic missiles appeared on the square medium range"Hwaseong-12". North Korea threatened to use products of this type to hit US military bases on the island of Guam in August 2017, which caused considerable concern in Washington at the time. The firing range of these missiles is 3.7-6 thousand km. When equipped with nuclear warheads, the Hwasong-12 products are capable of sinking the unsinkable United States aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean - the island of Guam.
Then KN-15 (or Pukguksong-2, Polar Star-2) medium-range solid-fuel ballistic missiles thundered through the streets and squares of Pyongyang. These products are placed on an eight-roller tracked chassis, which is an elongated tank base (apparently based on the chassis of tanks produced in the DPRK based on the design of the Soviet T-62 medium tank).
The only debutant at this parade, experts say, is the modernized ballistic missile short range KN-02. Some analysts believe that this missile shows a noticeable influence from the Russian 9K270 Iskander missile. The KN-02 is a single-stage solid-propellant ballistic missile mounted on a North Korean-made three-axle vehicle chassis. Firing range - 70 km, CEP - 160 m. It can be equipped with a nuclear, chemical or conventional warhead. Experts believe that these particular products will be used in large quantities during a hypothetical armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula.
North Korea also showed its numerous jet systems volley fire- 120 mm M1993, 240 mm M1991 and 300 mm KN-09. They easily indicate the appearance of the Russian BM-21 Grad MLRS and the Chinese Type-63 systems.
Experts believe that during a hypothetical conflict on the peninsula, fire from numerous North Korean MLRS will cause the most numerous casualties among the civilian population of South Korea.
In addition, as usual, columns of tanks passed through the square various types(mainly the Chonma-216 and the Songun-915 tank), North Korean armored personnel carriers known as M-2010, towed and self-propelled (in particular, the 170-mm self-propelled gun arr. 1983 "Juche-po") barrel artillery, mobile short-range air defense systems.
Despite the variety of weapons shown, the parade in scope, number of personnel, weapons and military equipment did not surpass Kim Jong-un's previous military reviews.
At the same time North Korean leader was satisfied with the main military review of the armed forces of the republic. “Today’s parade will demonstrate the appearance of a developed and powerful North Korea as a power with a world-class armed forces,” Kim Jong Un said.
Deputy Director of the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies Konstantin Makienko explained to Gazeta.Ru that, most likely, “a more modest military parade is the result of sanctions imposed against the DPRK and, as a result, sharply reduced oil imports.” At the same time, the publication’s interlocutor does not rule out that the smaller one on display military power The parade could also be a sign of improving inter-Korean relations.
The parade on Red Square in honor of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War promises to be the largest in modern history. It will involve almost two hundred armored vehicles, 150 aircraft and 14 thousand military personnel. Together with already known samples general public will be able to see and the latest technology, which will ensure the power of the Russian army in the coming decades. "RG" presents 7 new products that the general public will see on May 9.
TANK "ARMATA"
The T-14 tank on the universal Armata platform is perhaps the most mysterious. The characteristics of the domestic new product are not yet subject to disclosure. But even based on the known general data, it can be said without exaggeration that the vehicle is capable of overturning the well-known belief about the survivability of a tank on the battlefield.
The main feature of the T-14 is its uninhabited turret - the crew controls the gun remotely, while in an isolated armored capsule that protects people in the event of the armored vehicle being hit. Although, according to experts, it will be very, very difficult to knock out the Armata.
The tank is literally crammed with electronic equipment. The vehicle is equipped with a unique radar station that can simultaneously monitor up to 40 ground and 25 air targets within a radius of 100 kilometers. Active protection systems will track shells fired at the T-14 and intercept them at safe distance. By the way, this equipment has already been tested at field tests - it was not possible to hit the tank.
In addition, the Armata armor was created using a new type of steel, ceramic and composite layers. Such a “pie” is capable of withstanding hits from any of the existing and future projectiles. The material can be used in the most difficult climatic conditions.
In terms of military-technical level, the T-14 is almost four times higher than the main Russian tank T-72B. Its tactical efficiency is 25-30 percent higher than foreign analogues. All information about the combat situation is received by the crew on monitors from laser, television and thermal imaging sensors, and the panoramic view allows the commander and gunner to see the battlefield at 360 degrees. In addition, the Armata is capable of exchanging data with other tanks and the command post. All this together has a positive effect on “information speed” - the time required to search and destroy a target is reduced several times.
The main armament of the T-14 should be a 125-mm 2A82 smoothbore gun with ammunition of various types and purposes. Used as an additional modernized machine gun A Kalashnikov 7.62 caliber and a Kord robotic heavy machine gun. However, one more distinctive feature The tank is modular - weapons and equipment can be replaced depending on the tasks.
It is planned that on May 9, 2015, 12 new tanks will hit the paving stones, which will then be sent to the troops for testing. Serial production T-14 is scheduled for 2016-2017. According to some reports, heavy infantry fighting vehicles built on the Armata platform will also be demonstrated during the Victory Parade.
BMP "BOOMERANG"
The new Boomerang armored vehicle, which should replace the well-known “Soviet” armored personnel carrier, is also expected to make its first appearance on the Victory Day anniversary. latest version which became the BTR-90. This vehicle is rapidly becoming outdated, and the new product should become the main vehicle of this class in the Russian armed forces.
It is planned to create a whole family of combat vehicles on the Boomerang chassis, including an armored personnel carrier and a tank.
The developers of this platform hide the characteristics well. According to available information, the vehicle will be equipped with special modules that provide protection against small-caliber artillery, anti-tank grenade and portable complex missiles.
Military experts believe that the main design difference of the Boomerang should be the location of the landing door in the rear of the vehicle, and not on the side, as before. It is assumed that the vehicles will be equipped with a machine gun, grenade launcher and ATGM.
The armored car, like its predecessors, will be made with an 8x8 wheel arrangement, and even with the increased weight, its maneuverability will improve significantly.
BMP "KURGANETS"
Another intriguing example is the new fighting machine infantry based on the Kurganets-25 medium tracked platform. This is the first domestic infantry fighting vehicle in which the crew will be separated from the weapons module. According to calculations, the machine will be able to perform its functions at the proper level for at least the next 25 years.
Compared to previous generations The Kurganets infantry fighting vehicle will be equipped with modular protection, which can be changed depending on the mission. Passive armor is complemented by a new complex of active protection capable of withstanding tank armor-piercing shells. To enhance mine protection, the crew and troops are placed in a special capsule.
The Kurganets' armament will presumably be the remote-controlled universal uninhabited module "Epoch", including a 30-mm automatic gun 2A24, 7.62-mm PKTM machine gun and two twin Kornet-EM missile launchers. The robotic module is controlled by the commander and gunner; it provides automatic search for targets, including camouflaged ones, in different spectral ranges. The system provides simultaneous shelling of two objects, including air targets.
On the basis of the Kurganets-25 platform, in addition to the infantry fighting vehicle, it is planned to create a command post, reconnaissance and ambulance vehicles, a self-propelled artillery mount, as well as an evacuation transport, a supply vehicle and a mobile radio-technical complex.
COASTAL MISSILE SYSTEM "BAL-E"
These coastal defense systems have been in service with formations for several years now. Navy, but will appear on Red Square for the first time.
"Bal-E" represents mobile system, providing effective protection coast from ships various classes around the clock in any weather and in conditions of electronic countermeasures.
The complex includes four launchers, a command post for control and communications, and transport and reloading vehicles. The latter make it possible to completely reload the launchers in about half an hour and fire a second salvo. By the way, in one salvo "Bal-E" can fire 32 missiles at intervals of three seconds.
The complex is capable of reaching highway speeds of up to 60 km/h and covering up to 850 kilometers without refueling. Starting positions can be selected at a distance of up to 10 kilometers from coastline, and the deployment standard is only 10 minutes.
Own radar equipment and the ability to receive operational information from others command posts allow the use of "Bal-E" as an independent combat unit, or as part of a centralized defensive system.
COASTAL MISSILE SYSTEM "BASTION"
"Bastion" (PBRK) will also come to the main square of the country for the first time. This formidable weapon is in the service of several naval units.
The complex lives up to its name - it is capable of protecting the coastline with a length of more than 600 kilometers. Basic impact force"Bastion" is a supersonic homing missile "Onyx", designed to destroy ships of all classes and types, both single and in groups.
The "standard" battery composition includes four self-propelled launchers, one or two combat control vehicles, support vehicle combat duty and four transport-loading vehicles. Additionally, the complex can be equipped with a mobile radar system "Monolit-B" or an air-based radar.
"Bastion" can be located 200 kilometers from the coastal border. The deployment time from traveling to combat position does not exceed five minutes, and the interval between missile launches is only two to five seconds.
The complex can remain autonomously in combat readiness for three to five days.
Self-propelled gun "COALITION-SV"
The Coalition-SV installation has already been called the pinnacle of domestic artillery, which can return the title of “god of war” to the branch of the military and bring Russia to first place in this type of weapons. Although there is not much information about it, as well as about “Armata” and “Kurganets”.
The development of a promising howitzer began in earnest several years ago, and initially a double-barreled version was created, but later, according to available data, this idea was abandoned.
"Coalition" meets all the tasks assigned to it: hitting any ground targets at a distance of up to 70 kilometers, quickly preparing for fire and changing position within one minute.
By tactical and technical characteristics The installation is not only radically different from its domestic predecessors, but also superior to all existing self-propelled guns in the world, including those still being tested.
The combat module is uninhabited. Workplace each of the crew members (2-3 people) is equipped with a system remote control fire. The module is equipped with onboard tactical devices target selection, positioning and navigation, and all operations are displayed on the displays of a single information and command system. Special sensors constantly provide data on the general condition of the vehicle and the amount of ammunition by type.
It is possible that the Coalition-SV will be installed on the Armata platform, the KAMAZ Tornado wheeled chassis, and there is also a project for installation on surface ships.
APC "SHELL"
The newest armored personnel carrier, which will become the main assistant of the Airborne Forces in the coming decades, " winged infantry"I have already experienced different situations. But the public demonstration of the car will take place for the first time at the anniversary Victory Parade.
"Rakushka" is made on a tracked base, but in terms of movement speed - 70 km/h on land - it is not inferior to wheeled armored personnel carriers. The machine is also capable of overcoming water obstacles at a speed of 10 km/h. The transport is driven by two crew members and can accommodate 13 soldiers.
The armor of the armored personnel carrier is made of an innovative lightweight alloy. The Rakushka is armed with two PKTM 7.62 mm machine guns - one provides 360-degree fire, the other provides a 30-degree kill zone. The "Cloud" smoke system allows the armored vehicle to hide from the enemy's gaze.
In addition to transporting personnel, the Rakushka is designed to transport ammunition, spare parts, etc. In addition, the design of the machine allows for the possibility of being equipped with various equipment. So, on the basis of the new armored personnel carrier, a whole family of military equipment will be developed in the near future.
In early August, it became known that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu decided to change the order of his predecessor Anatoly Serdyukov and leave armored trains in the Armed Forces. Most experts were perplexed by this decision. However, the problem looks much deeper: as Our Version found out, today in service Russian army located huge amount obsolete weapons, including planes, tanks and even wooden ships.
Currently, of the five armored trains that the Russian army received after the collapse of the USSR, only two remain - “Baikal” and “Amur”. They are now part of Railway troops RF and are in service with two separate recovery railway battalions, which are stationed on the territory of the Southern Military District in the cities of Georgievsk and Nevinnomyssk. Last time In combat conditions, special trains were used during the campaigns in Chechnya. The tactics of their use were simple: armored trains walked ahead of trains with people and equipment, as well as civilian trains. Thus, armored trains by and large used to demonstrate power. Therefore, it is not surprising that after the end of the active phase of hostilities in Chechnya, Abkhazia and South Ossetia The leadership of the Ministry of Defense decided that the use in modern army no special compounds are needed. Optimizing the military department, Anatoly Serdyukov decided to dismantle the weapons from the trains and send the rolling stock for conservation.
To a large armored train - a large rocket
And now they are going to return them to service with the Russian army. As a rule, any decision by the Ministry of Defense usually finds both opponents and supporters. However, in this case, analysts almost unanimously spoke out against Sergei Shoigu’s initiative. Their arguments are as follows: with the modern development of weapons of destruction, armored trains are too vulnerable targets. Each train consists of two diesel locomotives - the main one and the reserve one, to which about 10 different cars and platforms are attached. They contain anti-aircraft installations to combat low-flying air targets, and also artillery systems. In turn, the personnel are armed with standard small arms -
machine guns, machine guns and grenade launchers. Thus, if it were the 20s of the last century today, armored trains would represent an impressive force. But today, times are different, and weapons that can fire over tens of kilometers have become commonplace. Therefore, armored trains can only be used if the enemy does not have such means of destruction as artillery and aviation, which can, if not smash the train into pieces while remaining out of reach, then certainly destroy the railway track. But should we expect that Russia will have to face precisely such an enemy?
Tank "Joseph Stalin" served the new Russia
And yet it should be noted that armored trains are not the most archaic weapons that the Russian armed forces have.
Analysts almost unanimously spoke out against Sergei Shoigu’s initiative to return armored trains to service with the Russian army. Their arguments are as follows: with the modern development of weapons, such equipment is too vulnerable.
As a Soviet legacy, the Russian Army received one of the largest tank fleets in the world, numbering about 22 thousand units. However, most combat vehicles are outdated and unable to compete with NATO equipment. A significant part of the fleet consists of T-64, T-72 and T-80 tanks developed back in the middle of the last century. Moreover, the T-64, which began to be produced back in 1963, is still the main battle tank of the Russian army. And it was this that was actively used during the war in South Ossetia in 2008. It is possible that the T-64 will repeat the fate of the IS-2 tank (Joseph Stalin), which first rolled off the production line in 1943 and was officially withdrawn from service with the Russian army only in 1995. At the same time, the 60-year-old vehicles were finally disposed of only at the beginning of the 2000s - until that time, the IS-2 continued to serve as firing points as part of fortified areas on the Russian-Chinese border.
In 2013, the Ministry of Defense announced a tender for the dismantling of more than 400 military aircraft and helicopters. The bulk of them are quite old aircraft, developed in the late 50s: MiG-21 and MiG-23 fighters, as well as Su-22M fighter-bombers. In addition to combat aircraft, there are also transport “oldies” - “maize” An-2, An-12 and An-26. Experts say that it is necessary to write off those aircraft that are currently in service, while still in active service. In particular, we are talking about Su-24 bombers (made their first flight in 1970), with which aircraft accidents are increasingly occurring. Alas, these aircraft, like some other models, have nothing to replace them yet.
Nuclear submarines are being repaired in the dock of Nazi Germany
The Russian Navy also possesses no less rare equipment. For example, the basic Project 1265 minesweeper "Yakhont", designed to search, minesweep and destroy mines in coastal areas and the near sea zone, is essentially a wooden ship. The reason for using such dubious material for the production of a warship was that Soviet Union For a long time I could not obtain the technology for the production of artificial materials for the manufacture of a non-magnetic case. Production of this type of ship began in 1972 and continued until 1992. Currently, the Russian Navy includes two dozen such minesweepers.
Another unique mechanism “from past life» has the 82nd ship repair plant (SRZ-82) of the Ministry of Defense, which serves Northern Fleet. SRZ-82 was created on the basis of a captured German dock PD-1 from the Great Patriotic War and coastal repair shops. In principle, the captured floating dock has been working flawlessly for more than half a century. However, it is unlikely that a strategically important enterprise specializing in docking and dock inspections of modern strategic nuclear submarines and nuclear surface ships, must rely on the quality of the equipment of the Third Reich.
What to do with all this obsolete property? Sell or dispose of, the Ministry of Defense believes. The beginning of commerce was laid by Anatoly Serdyukov. Thus, already in 2007, after he joined the military department, the ministry gained 3.5 billion rubles from the sale of obsolete weapons and other property of the Armed Forces. Everything was offered for sale, including small arms. As it turned out, Russian weapons depots literally overflowing with rifles and pistols produced 100 years ago. According to some reports, the number of units small arms, located in military arsenals, at the beginning of 2012 there were about 16 million “barrels”, of which about 35-40% have exhausted their service life. As a result, Anatoly Serdyukov’s team decided to dispose of about 4 million weapons produced before 1980. But as soon as this work began, a scandal erupted: in 2012, several dozen Kalashnikov assault rifles were discovered missing. Moreover, the loss was discovered completely by accident. The pensioner bought 64 wooden boxes for firewood, in which he found machine guns, as well as magazines for them. It turned out that for several months since the start of disposal, there was no video recording of the numbers of the destroyed products. How many machines were written off during this time remains unknown. It is worth noting that not only Soviet-made weapons were disposed of, but also rare “barrels” with the marks of imperial arms factories.
And in the arsenals of the Ministry of Defense there are also samples of ancient weapons produced in other countries. According to experts, from 100 to 400 thousand units of unique types of small arms alone can be stored in the warehouses of the Ministry of Defense. Now it turns out that these obsolete weapons have powerful financial potential - museums and private collectors are ready to buy them.
People used weapons for wars, hunting, self-defense, maintaining order, and also for criminal activity for thousands of years. Weapons also served society in other areas, for example, in sports, during military parades, historical exhibitions, and demonstrations. As technology has evolved throughout history, so have weapons.
The main inventions in the history of weapons are associated with the use various materials, from stone and wood to a variety of modern materials, including industrial production such as plastic. In addition, new types of weapons appeared depending on the area in which they were used, for defense or attack.
“Kalashnikov of the Stone Age”: it all starts with nature
The beginning of man's use of weapons dates back to their appearance on Earth. Basically, he used it to protect himself from predators, and then tree trunks or ordinary sticks, stones and other objects acted as weapons. The first evidence of human use of spears made from sharpened tree trunks was discovered in Germany near the Schoningen region. It is believed that the spears found were used 400 thousand years BC.
This applies to humans, because animals used such weapons even earlier. Thus, it was used by some species of modern chimpanzees (species of chimpanzees that existed during the time of primitive people) in Senegal during the hunt for galagos, known as “children of the jungle.” This indicates that animals used this technology before humans.
The first weapons, which relied on more advanced technology, date back to the period from 40 to 25 thousand years BC. It was called the atlatl or spear thrower, and is sometimes called the “Kalashnikov of the Stone Age.” This is the first weapon of its kind, which is characterized by the use of a special technique to strike a target at relatively large distances, and does not depend only on the strength of a person’s muscles. With this weapon it was possible to kill a deer at a distance of 40 meters, it began to be used in North Africa, later it spread throughout the world, and only then it was replaced by the bow and arrow.
Mowgli's weapon
Have you ever watched the famous children's cartoon series about Mowgli? Have you seen a bent or twisted wooden device that is used to strike a target and then return it? It is called a "boomerang" and its origins are closely associated with the indigenous people of Australia, but was used as a hunting weapons in all corners of Europe and Africa. However, in most cases, these weapons were not returned to the owner after being thrown.
The existence of the oldest boomerang dates back to the 23rd millennium BC: a weapon made from a mammoth tusk was discovered in a cave in Poland.
The oldest arrows found date back to the 20th millennium BC, suggesting that bows and arrows were used in those times. Some believe they were invented much earlier, citing a stone that is 60,000 years old, but there is doubt surrounding whether it was an arrowhead or not.
Bows and arrows were used in wars. They were preferred to spears because they were easier to handle and provided a person with greater mobility. In addition, they were considered more accurate weapons, the manufacture of which does not require a large amount of material.
Careful examination of projectiles found in archaeological sites around the world indicates that throwing weapon was not widely used 50 thousand years ago.
Horses: using animals as weapons
The process of domestication of horses began on the plains of Kazakhstan, which revolutionized the field of transportation. In addition, horses were useful during wars. Only in the twentieth century due to the sudden appearance firearms, such as machine guns, armies began to gradually reduce their dependence on horses, marking the end of a long period of seven thousand years during which horses were used as one of the main tools of warfare.
Metal and the weapons revolution
When did humanity discover new species? natural resources underground, marking the beginning of the development of the metallurgical industry, replacing traditional weapons something more modern has arrived. Thus, copper made a significant contribution to the history of the ancient world, contributing to the prosperity of the civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and China. For a long time copper was the only metal known person, and replaced weapons made of stone.
Thus, Stone Age ended and, starting in 5000 BC, humanity entered the Bronze Age. During the Copper Age, the demand for rods and maces increased, which speak of power relations in those times.
The Sumerians were the first to use copper weapons. Native Americans primarily used spears and sharp knives However, they did not use copper on a large scale except for ceremonies or elaborate decorations.
After being discovered in Anatolia around 6000 BC pure copper, this metal spread to Egypt and Mesopotamia. Around 3500 BC, products from it began to be made in India, China and Europe, but soon the ancient craftsmen discovered the shortcomings of copper for making weapons. Thus, copper weapons could be easily sharpened, but at the same time it was not possible to keep them strong for a long time.
Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin, used around 4500 BC. It was much stronger than pure copper and was widely used in Asia. Thus, as a result of the development of metallurgy, the Indus Valley civilization flourished. In addition, bronze production was widespread in China for the purpose of making weapons, including spears, daggers, and bronze helmets.
Copper contributed to the invention of metal daggers; previously they were made of stone. Swords were later invented, and in 1000 BC swords became part of legends and Celtic rituals in Britain, reflecting their importance in society.
Catapult: the beginning of the era of heavy weapons
Currently, tanks, guns and missiles are an integral part of any army and represent the core heavy looking weapons. When exactly did man begin to admit heavy weapons, a weapon that can tear down buildings and fences?
Until 500 BC, all types of weapons in human hands were only capable of hitting the enemy directly, since weapons that could destroy walls and structures or storm castles had not been invented.
The catapult is believed to have originated in 500 BC in China and required a team of 12 people to move and install it. This weapon was capable of throwing stone balls at a distance of up to 125 meters. Around the same time, the ancient Greeks invented a weapon for destroying siege structures - the ballista. A ballista is a type of large bow and arrow.
The mobile catapult has been an element of folklore for a long time. In 1991, a real, working model of the catapult was built. Later, the catapult, which was powered by human labor, was replaced by weapons that were powered by momentum from the weight of the projectile, which happened in the Middle Ages.
Gunpowder: the beginning of the era of firearms
The situation remained the same until the advent of our era and changed around the eighth century after Christ. It was at that time that gunpowder was invented in China. This invention quickly led to further development primitive firearms - the so-called “fire spear”, which is the “father” of all types of firearms. During the Song era (960-1279), other weapons were invented, such as fire arrows, the primitive technology of which became the basis for rockets and bombs. The same technology was partially used to repel enemy attacks in the north during the Jin Dynasty.
Islamic Golden Age: Significant Progress
The Islamic Golden Age (600 to 1600) helped preserve the achievements of classical civilizations after the collapse of the Roman Empire. During that period short term Firearms technology was invented, and Egyptian soldiers were the first to use hand cannons and other small arms at the Battle of Ain Jalut in 1260.
Historians report that the Islamic world surpassed others in the development of military technology, which was a factor that contributed to the establishment trade relations with China. In addition, the Islamic world knew that Chinese technology was superior to the achievements of the civilization of the Greeks and Romans.
Arab military leaders recommended the use of the latest technology and established progressive traditions, especially regarding blockade warfare. The primitive mobile catapult, capable of throwing large stones and pieces of rock, is believed to have been invented by Muslim engineers in the Middle East. It is possible that the model of such a catapult was copied from similar Chinese catapults, which were brought by the Mongols to the Islamic world during the Tatar-Mongol invasion.
In 1452 in Ottoman Empire under the leadership of Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror, the so-called “Dardanelles cannon” was built, which was the newest cannon of its kind. This weapon was built specifically for the siege of the walls of Constantinople, which successfully repelled all attacks over a long period of time. The Dardanelles Cannon was invented by the Hungarian engineer Urban, who convinced Mehmed the Conqueror of the need for its construction, emphasizing that it was capable of penetrating even the walls of the ancient city of Babylon.
The construction of the gun lasted for three months; great resources, after which the cannon was transported from the capital Edirne to Constantinople (Istanbul today), and it is said that about 200 oxen were used to transport the cannon along a road specially built for this purpose.
Some Muslim clans used catapults to transport besieged city of the dead horses. This was done to spread disease in the city, a method that could be said to be a precursor to hitting enemy positions with missiles and biological weapons. However, from the beginning of the seventeenth century, Islamic sciences began to regress noticeably.
This time in another part of the world Chinese dynasty The Ming improved firearms technology (between 1368 and 1644) and also invented the wick, which eliminated the need to load a gun while holding a match in the other hand.
Other inventions made during this dynasty include cavalry and sea mines. Eventually, all the inventions of that period were collected in Jiao Yu and Liu Ji's book "Holongjing" (Manual fire dragon"), which is a guide to war.
The invention of rockets and guns and the beginning of modern wars
From the mid-18th century to the 19th century, rockets were always a key weapon on the battlefield. Indian Sultan Fateh Ali Tipu managed to successfully deploy artillery rockets against the British, prompting inventor Sir William Congreve to develop his own version of the rockets, called the Congreve rockets.
In 1803 the British Army began using fragmentation shells(previously invented by the Chinese) - shrapnel, named after its inventor, Henry Shrapnel. These shells contain large number charges flying at high speed and are used during bombing campaigns. Later they were replaced by heavy explosive shells, which were used during the First World War.
In 1836, American inventor Samuel Colt developed and patented a revolver, improving on previous designs. The new type of weapon required minimal reloading time compared to all other types of firearms, thanks to which it remains famous and popular to this day.
Between 1851 and 1861 machine guns appeared. The first example of a machine gun was the Gatling gun (invented by the American Richard Gatling) - for the first time a weapon could fire continuously. It was actively used by Union forces during civil war in the USA in the sixties of the 19th century, but was soon improved by the Belgians and received the name “mitrailleuse”.
In 1884, Hiram Stevens Maxim managed to develop the first complete automatic machine gun, which is known as the "Maxim machine gun". In 1890, after the assassination of the mayor of Chicago, local priest Casimir Zeglen invented a body armor made primarily of silk, but it was a significant success at the time.
In 1909, Hiram Stevens Maxim's son, Hiram Percy Maxim, received a patent for the first pistol silencer. In addition, the first tanks in history appeared that were used British army during the First World War, namely in 1914.
Mid-18th century: the emergence of naval weapons
The year 1775 is a historical moment in the development of naval weapons. Naval Wars by using various types ships had been built before, but it was in 1775 that the American David Bushnell succeeded in creating the first combat submarine in history, called the Turtle.
The technology used to build submarines remained simple and unsafe for decades, although many submarines had already been used during the American Civil War (1861-1865).
In 1862, the battleship USS Monitor, the first metal warship, was launched in New York. Before this, most ships were either entirely or partially built of wood.
This battleship was built by the Swedish engineer John Eriksson, who collaborated on the design of the Novelty steam locomotive, which competed for the title of best steam locomotive on railway Manchester-Liverpool, which was won by the steam locomotive of engineer George Stephenson. Although Eriksson was defeated, his participation in the competition became the reason for his fame.
In America, Ericsson developed the first steam frigate for the US Navy, USS Princeton, in partnership with Captain Robert Stockton, but the collaboration was interrupted due to an accident that resulted in several deaths. A new partnership with Cornelius Delamater produced the first ship with an armored rotating turret, the USS Monitor, which prevented the defeat of a beleaguered U.S. naval force by the USS Virginia in March 1862.
Between 1876 and 1883, John Holland built the first operational submarine, the Fenian Ram, which was destined for a group of Irish rebels in the United States, and unlike any other submarine at the time, it was optimally shaped. However, the Irish rebels were enterprising and at that time did not deserve much trust, since they resold the weapons they received to other persons, as a result of which Holland stopped collaborating with them. Thus, in fact, the submarine was not used during the war or armed conflicts.
The first naval torpedoes began to appear thanks to the British, starting in the nineteenth century, but the greatest progress in the development of these weapons was achieved by the Soviet Union, which began developing torpedoes in the sixties of the twentieth century. In particular, the speed of the torpedo reached 500 kilometers per hour, but its creation was completed only in the early nineties. During the same period, namely in 1997, the US Navy managed to develop modern naval torpedoes.
Second world war: mass destruction
In 1942, the United States announced the start of the most dangerous Manhattan Project in history. His goal was to create the first atomic bomb under the leadership of Robert Oppenheimer. On July 16, 1945, a successful atomic bomb test was carried out in New Mexico, and on August 6 and 9 atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which contributed to the end of World War II and marked the beginning new era- the era of nuclear weapons.
In 1952, the development of events took an even more dangerous character, which is associated with the first hydrogen bomb test that the United States conducted in the Marshall Islands. In this frightening bomb, under the influence of X-rays, a process took place nuclear fission to cause a nuclear fusion reaction between tritium atoms and hydrogen isotopes, similar to what occurs inside the Sun.
The explosion of one such bomb can be thousands of times more powerful than the bomb dropped on Hiroshima.
After nuclear bomb
In 1953, a “maser” (a quantum generator emitting electromagnetic waves) at Columbia University. Due to the fact that it could create electromagnetic beams, it is described as a "ray gun", but the possibility of its use as a weapon has not been proven in practice. So in 1960, a laser (light amplifier) appeared, which began to be actively used both in the civilian sphere and in the military, for example, for guiding missiles and other types of weapons. In addition, laser is an alternative to radar. Currently time goes by development of many types of laser weapons.
In 1997, the United States carried out the first laser test against a satellite, and in 2001, laser devices were developed that do not cause much harm to the object. Such devices are used to produce sensation extreme heat, causing people to move to the side, and despite safety concerns of this weapon, it was made available to the American police.
In 2002, a high-power laser was used for the first time against artillery fire. In addition, projectiles have been improved, called "pulse energy projectiles", which are lasers that can immobilize or move a person.
2008 witnessed significant progress- the invention of a high-energy laser, which was installed on an American aircraft and launched into the air. In addition, the development of plasma shields has begun, which generate explosions in the air as a result of ultra-high frequency radiation, forming plasma clots.
Currently, tests are ongoing around the world to create new types of weapons.
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