Tag Archives: Soviet

Technology

This Unique Cold War-Era Soviet Tank Was The First Laser Tank

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The 1K17 was one of many many prototypes the Soviet Union inbuilt its quest for a “Self-propelled Laser Complex” (SLK). The idea was initially proposed within the Seventies and early Eighties with the event of the 1K11 Stilet. The Luch Central Design Bureau, below the management of Gen. Dmitry Ustinov, engineered two prototypes to ship round 1982. The 1K11 advanced had a laser emitter atop a tracked chassis.

After the Stilet was the “Sangvin” (Sanguine). This prototype utilized the chassis of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-air gun. The weapons had been eliminated and changed with a single laser emitter to disable the sensors and optics of fight plane. While there may be restricted take a look at knowledge accessible right this moment, quite a few sources counsel that at ranges of 5 to 6 miles, the Sanguine might go away a helicopter inoperable.

The most superior SLK arrived in 1989, within the type of the 1K17 Szhatie, however so did the top of the Soviet Union. However, the Russian navy powered forward, Assembled in December 1990 and trialed till 1992, the Szhatie demonstrated promising outcomes throughout testing. However, regardless of the success of the trials, the 1K17 by no means entered full-scale manufacturing or service.

[Featured image by Vitaly V. Kuzmin via Wikimedia Commons | Cropped and scaled | CC BY-SA 4.0]

Technology

Everything To Know About The Soviet T-54/T-55 Tanks

When China had a falling out with the Soviet Union, the U.S. determined to construct a relationship with it to assist counter the Russians. As a part of this relationship-building, America supplied to develop a important battle tank based mostly on the Chinese Type 59 tank, which is a licensed-built T-54A, in 1988.

This important battle tank was speculated to be known as the Jaguar and was an enchancment of the Type 59. The U.S. tapped Cadillac Gage to work with the China National Machinery & Equipment Import & Export Corporation to modernize the Type 59 and switch it into the Jaguar MBT.

It was speculated to get the British L7 105mm cannon, a digital hearth management system, a night-vision system, and a laser rangefinder. It was additionally set to obtain a extra highly effective 750hp engine, an automated transmission system, and spaced armor on high of the Type 59’s base safety.

However, the Tiananmen Square Massacre the next 12 months poisoned Chinese-American cooperation, stopping its joint improvement. Although Cadillac Gage continued improvement by itself, the autumn of the Berlin Wall in late 1989 meant struggle was over, and nobody was within the Jaguar.

Technology

How The Soviets Adapted a Cold War Bomber for the Space Program

During the Cold War, the Soviet Union sought to add a powerful weapon to its arsenal: a long-range bomber capable of threatening the United States and delivering significant damage. The task began in the early 1950s under the leadership of Vladimir Mikhailovich Myasishchev.

The development of the M-4 bomber started in 1954. The initial model, the Bison-A, was produced in limited numbers, with only 34 units built. It had an impressive range of 9,000 miles with mid-flight refueling and was equipped with four Mikulin AM-3A turbojets. Its armament included a range of weapons, from FAB-100 GPs to the massive FAB-9000s, each weighing nearly 10 tons. It also featured AM-23 23mm cannons for defense against other aircraft.

Towards the end of the decade, a new variant, the Bison-B or 3M, was introduced. It featured improved Dobrynin VD-7B engines and a reduced weight. While other concepts, like a cargo transport version called the M-29, never materialized, the enhanced Bison-B would go on to serve a different purpose than that of a traditional bomber. It was repurposed as a transport, but not for conventional cargo – instead, it was used to transport rocket parts.