Missiles as weapons were known to many nations andwere created in different countries. It is believed that they appeared even before the barrel gunshot. Thus, an outstanding Russian general and also a scientist K. I. Konstantinov wrote that simultaneously with the invention of artillery, rockets had come into use. They were used wherever gunpowder was used. And once they began to be used for military purposes, it means that special rocket troops were created for this. This article is devoted to the emergence and development of the type of weapons mentioned, from fireworks to space flights.
How it all began
Как утверждает официальная история, порох был invented in China around the 11th century AD. However, the naive Chinese did not invent anything better than to use it for filling fireworks. And now, a few centuries later, the “enlightened” Europeans created more powerful gunpowder formulations and immediately found elegant application for him: firearms, bombs, etc. Well, let's leave this statement to the historians' conscience. You and I were not in ancient China, so it’s not worth asserting anything. And what do written sources say about the first use of rockets in the army?
Charter of the Russian army (1607-1621) as documentary evidence
The fact that in Russia and in Europe the militaryhad information about the manufacture, device, storage and use of signal, incendiary and fireworks rockets, informs us "the Charter of military, cannon and other cases that relate to military science." It is composed of 663 articles and decrees selected from foreign military literature. That is, this document confirms the existence of missiles in the armies of Europe and Russia, but nowhere is there any mention of using them directly in any battles. And yet, it can be concluded that they were used, since they fell into the hands of the military.
Oh, this thorny path ...
Despite the misunderstanding and fear of everything newmilitary officials, the missile forces of Russia nevertheless became one of the leading arms of service. It is difficult to imagine a modern army without missilemen. However, the way of their formation was very difficult.
Officially in service with the Russian army for the first time.adopted signal (lighting) rockets in 1717. After almost a hundred years, in 1814-1817, military scientist A. I. Kartmazov sought recognition of high-explosive combat and incendiary missiles (2-, 2.5-, and 3.6-inch) of their own manufacture from officials. They had a range of 1.5-3 km. They were never accepted for service.
В 1815-1817 гг. русский артиллерист А. Д.Zasyadko also invents similar war projectiles, and military officials also do not let them through. The next attempt was made in 1823-1825. Having passed through many cabinets of the military ministry, the idea was finally approved, and the first combat missiles (2-, 2.5-, 3- and 4-inch) were received by the Russian army. Flight range was 1-2.7 km.
This stormy 19th century
In 1826, begins mass productionmentioned weapons. To this end, the first rocket establishment is being created in Petersburg. In April of the following year, the first rocket company was formed (in 1831 it was renamed the battery). This combat unit was intended for joint action with cavalry and infantry. It is from this event that the official history of the rocket forces of our country begins.
Baptism of fire
For the first time, Russian missile forces were usedin August 1827 in the Caucasus during the Russian-Iranian war (1826-1828). Already a year later, during the war with Turkey, a command was placed on them during the siege of the fortress of Varna. So, in the campaign of 1828, 1191 missiles were fired, of which 380 were incendiary and 811 high-explosive. Since then, missile forces have played a major role in any military battles.
Military engineer K. A. Schilder
This talented man in 1834 developeddesign, which brought rocket weapons to a new stage of development. His device was intended for underground missile launch, it had a sloping guide tube type. However, Schilder did not stop at what he had achieved. He developed missiles with enhanced high-explosive action. In addition, he was the first in the world to use electric igniters to ignite solid fuels. In the same year, 1834, Schilder designed and even tested the world's first missile-carrying ferry and submarine. He installed on the watercraft installation for launching missiles from surface and submerged position. As you can see, the first half of the 19th century is characterized by the creation and widespread use of this type of weapon.
Lieutenant-General K. I. Konstantinov
В 1840-1860 гг.The representative of the Russian artillery school, inventor and scientist K. I. Konstantinov made an enormous contribution to the development of missile weapons, as well as the theory of its combat use. With his scientific work he accomplished a revolution in rocket production, thanks to which the Russian technology took the leading place in the world. He developed the foundations of experimental dynamics, scientific methods for designing this type of weapon. A number of devices and instruments for determining ballistic characteristics have been created. The scientist acted as an innovator in the manufacture of missiles, has established mass production. He made a huge treasure in the safety of the technological process of manufacturing weapons.
Konstantinov developed more powerful rockets andlaunchers to them. As a result, the maximum flight range was 5.3 km. Launchers have become more portable, comfortable and perfect, they provide high accuracy and rate of fire, especially in mountainous areas. In 1856, according to the project of Konstantinov, a rocket plant was built in Nikolaev.
Moor did his job
In the 19th century, rocket troops and artillerymade a tremendous breakthrough in its development and distribution. So, combat missiles were put into service in all military districts. There was not a single warship and naval base where rocket troops would not be used. They were directly involved in field battles, during the siege and storming of fortresses, etc. However, by the end of the 19th century, rocket armament became much inferior to progressive ground artillery, especially after the appearance of long-range rifled guns. And then came the year 1890. It was the end for rocket troops: this type of weapon was discontinued in all countries of the world.
Jet movement: like a phoenix ...
Despite the refusal of the army from the missile forces, scientistscontinued their work on this type of weapon. Thus, MM Pomortsev proposed new solutions concerning the increase in flight range, as well as the accuracy of shooting. I. V. Volovskiy developed rotating-type missiles, multi-barreled aircraft and ground launchers. N. V. Gerasimov designed combat anti-aircraft solid-fuel counterparts.
The main obstacle to the development of such technologywas the lack of a theoretical basis. To solve this problem, a group of Russian scientists at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century conducted a titanic work and made a significant contribution to the theory of jet propulsion. However, the founder of the unified theory of rocket dynamics and cosmonautics was K. E. Tsiolkovsky. From 1883 to the last days of his life, this outstanding scientist worked on solving problems in rocket science and space flight. He solved the main issues of the theory of jet propulsion.
Самоотверженный труд многих русских ученых дал A new impetus to the development of this type of weapon, and consequently, a new life for this kind of troops. Even today in our country, rocket and space troops are associated with the names of prominent figures - Tsiolkovsky and Korolev.
Soviet Russia
After the revolution, work on rocket weaponsthey were not stopped, and in 1933 a reactive research institute was even created in Moscow. In it, Soviet scientists designed ballistic and experimental cruise missiles and rocket-gliders. In addition, significantly improved missiles and launchers to them. This includes the later and legendary combat vehicle BM-13 "Katyusha". In RNII a number of discoveries were made. A complex of projects of units, devices and systems, subsequently used in rocket technology, is proposed.
The Great Patriotic War
"Katyusha" became the world's first jet systemsalvo fire. And most importantly, the creation of this machine contributed to the resumption of special rocket forces. By the beginning of the Second World War, the BM-13 combat vehicle was put into service. The difficult situation that prevailed in 1941 required the quick introduction of a new missile weapon. The restructuring of the industry was carried out as soon as possible. And in August, 214 factories were involved in the production of this type of weapon. As we said above, rocket troops were re-created as part of the Armed Forces, but during the war they were called Guards mortar units, and later to this day - rocket artillery.
Fighting vehicle BM-13 "Katyusha"
The first GMCs were divided into batteries and divisions.Thus, the first rocket battery, which consisted of 7 prototypes and a small number of projectiles, under the command of Captain Flerov was formed within three days and on July 2 was sent to the Western Front. And on July 14, the Katyushas fired their first combat salvo at the Orsha railway station (the BM-13 combat vehicle is shown in the photo).
Rocket troops in their debut inflicted powerfulfire attack at the same time 112 shells. As a result, the glow was ablaze over the station: ammunition exploded, trains were burning. The fire tornado destroyed both enemy manpower and military equipment. The combat effectiveness of missile weapons exceeded all expectations. During the years of the Second World War there was a significant leap in the development of reactive technology, which led to a significant spread of HMG. By the end of the war, the missile forces consisted of 40 separate divisions, 115 regiments, 40 separate brigades and 7 divisions - a total of 519 divisions.
If you want peace, prepare for war
In the postwar period, rocket artillerycontinued to develop - increased range, accuracy of fire and power of the volley. The Soviet military complex created entire generations of 40-barrel 122-mm MLRS “Grad” and “Prima”, 16-barrel 220-mm MLRS “Uragan”, providing target destruction at a distance of 35 km. In 1987, the 12-barrel 300-mm long-range MLRS Smerch was developed, which to this day has no analogues in the world. The target hit range in this installation is 70 km. In addition, the ground forces received operational-tactical, tactical and anti-tank complexes.
New types of weapons
In the 50s of the last century there was a separation.rocket troops to various directions. But rocket artillery has retained its position today. New types were created - these are anti-aircraft and strategic forces. These units are firmly established on land, at sea, under water and in the air. Thus, the anti-aircraft missile troops as a separate branch of the army are represented in the air defense, but such units also exist in the Navy. With the creation of nuclear weapons, the main question arose: how to deliver the charge to the destination? In the USSR, the choice was made in favor of missiles, as a result strategic missile forces appeared.
Stages of development of the Strategic Missile Forces
- 1959-1965- the creation, deployment, and deployment of combat duty of intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of solving strategic tasks in various military-geographical regions. In 1962, the strategic rocket forces took part in the military operation “Anadyr”, as a result of which medium-range missiles were secretly deployed in Cuba.
- 1965-1973 - deployment of second generation ICBMs. The transformation of the Strategic Missile Forces in the main component of the nuclear forces of the USSR.
- 1973-1985 - equipping the Strategic Missile Forces with third-generation missiles with separable combat heads with blocks of individual guidance.
- 1985-1991 - the elimination of medium-range missiles and the RVNS armament of fourth-generation complexes.
- 1992-1995 - Withdrawal of ICBMs from Ukraine, Belarus and Kazakhstan. Formed Russian strategic missile forces.
- 1996-2000 - Introduction of the fifth generation Topol-M missiles. Combining the Military Space Forces, the Strategic Missile Forces and the Rocket and Space Defense Forces.
- 2001 - The Strategic Missile Forces converted into 2 types of the Armed Forces - the Strategic Missile Forces and the Space Forces.
Conclusion
The process of development and formation of rocket troopsquite heterogeneous. It has ups and downs, and even the complete elimination of the "rocket men" in the armies of the whole world at the end of the 19th century. However, rockets, like the Phoenix bird, rise from the ashes during the Second World War and are firmly fixed in the military complex.
And despite the fact that over the past 70 yearsrocket troops have undergone significant changes in the organizational structure, forms, methods of their combat use, they always retain a role that can be described in just a few words: to be a deterrent against unleashing aggression against our country. November 19 in Russia is considered to be the professional day of the rocket troops and artillery. This Day was approved by Decree of the President of the Russian Federation No. 549 dated 05.31.2006. The photo on the right shows the emblem of the Russian missile forces.
