Anti-aircraft machine guns - a weapon that has a round fire, a very large elevation angle, makes it possible to fight enemy aircraft. Modern weapons installations of the Russian Federation are reliable devices, on the basis of which you can conduct an active battle for a long time. Consider the most popular anti-aircraft machine gun models.
Machine gun DShK
The Degtyarev-Shpagin easel machine gun (DShK) was widely used as far back as the war years when it was required to hit lightly armored targets, machine gun nests, and anti-tank artillery. In addition, the DShK anti-aircraft machine gun has also proven itself as an active fighter with low-flying aircraft. As the designer himself said, this technique was created as an infantry, but due to the achievement of a high caliber, it was decided to redesign it and replace a number of parts. As a result, a reliable large-caliber machine gun was obtained, in which the general principles of construction were preserved.
Technical features of DShK
After the release of the DShK, it was constantly refined, first of all, the rate of fire was increased, the cartridge supply system became more advanced. Already in 1939, the anti-aircraft machine gun DShK was adopted by the Red Army. The main technical characteristics of this type of weapon include:
- Automatic mechanisms, the work of which is carried out due to the energy of powder gases.
- The gas chamber is located under the barrel of the machine gun, has a regulator, thanks to which the operation of automatic mechanisms is optimized.
- The barrel has air cooling, and ribs are located along the entire length of the barrel.
- Sophisticated design allows you to replace the heated barrel directly on the firing position.
- The DShK anti-aircraft machine gun has a lockable channel - for this, the combat stops of the shutter are used.
- Shooting is based on cartridges of 12.7 mm caliber, the ammunition also consists of cartridges with armor-piercing bullets capable of penetrating armor 16 mm thick, and cartridges with tracer bullets.
- Sights include a hinged frame sight and front sight, which is mounted on a high rack in the barrel muzzle.
The DShK machine gun is distinguished by its universal application, since it is installed on a machine designed by Kolesnikov. The high combat qualities of the heavy machine gun made it possible to use it in various branches of the armed forces.
Easel machine gun "Maxim"
The Maxim anti-aircraft machine gun is one of the most popular easel machine guns that were in service with several groups of troops. This powerful weapon is capable of hitting open group live targets and enemy firepower at a distance of up to 1000 m, shows itself perfectly with sudden fire at a distance of 600 m. The first Maxim machine gun was created by an American engineer in 1883, and Russian masters improved it, making more than 200 design changes. This has affected performance improvements.
Large-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun "Maxim" - a system of automatic weapons with recoil barrel. That is, after the shot, the barrel is thrown back by powder gases, after which the reloading mechanism is activated: the cartridge is removed from the cartridge belt, which is sent to the breech, after which the bolt is cocked. After the shot, the operation is repeated. The features of this weapon include:
- High rate of fire - 600 rounds per minute with a rate of 250-300 rounds per minute.
- The trigger mechanism allows automatic fire, equipped with a fuse that protects against accidental shots.
- Sights are a rack mount sight and a front sight, as well as an optical sight on some models.
- The machine gun is placed on a wheeled machine developed by Sokolov: thanks to it, stable firing at ground targets is ensured, and the wheel travel makes it easy to manually move the machine gun at the firing position.
How does the Maxim machine gun work?
Maxim anti-aircraft machine guns are stable in operation: they were widely used when accompanying infantry in any terrain, since weapons easily suppressed the opponent’s fire and cleared the way for shooters. During offensive operations, an easel machine gun is actively fighting against enemy infantry, and also conducts an attack on vulnerable areas of the tank — viewing gaps or sighting devices. During the offensive, the machine gun moves forward, after which it occupies certain positions. They vary depending on the characteristics of the battle.
Machine gun Vladimirova (CPV)
The heavy-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun of Vladimirov is designed to defeat tanks. As cartridges, a caliber of 14.5 mm is used, and the weapon is capable of breaking through armor up to 32 mm thick. This model, unlike other analogues, works on the basis of the recoil energy of the barrel with a short stroke. The features of this unit include the following:
- The shutter is locked by turning the combat larva and a carbon type accelerator.
- The design of the trigger allows only automatic fire.
- Shooting is carried out in long or short bursts.
- Rate of fire - about 80 rounds per minute. At the same time, after 150 rounds of long-range fire, it is necessary to replace the machine gun barrel.
- The fuse system eliminates the possibility of accidental shots.
These machine guns, widely used by rifle units, are placed on a wheeled machine and are distinguished by their large weight.
Quad machine gun installation "M-4"
The M-4 anti-aircraft machine gun can be mounted on any vehicle - from a car and a railway platform to ships and boats. In addition, it is possible to put it on the ground as a stationary installation if it is necessary to protect especially large and important facilities. This machine gun is suitable for shelling ground targets. True, due to the lack of caliber - it was only 7.62 mm - the installations were decommissioned.
The ZPU-4 quad anti-aircraft machine-gun mount, on the contrary, was widely used. And first of all, due to the fact that the caliber of the anti-aircraft machine gun ZPU-4 was 12.7-20 mm. Such a setup made it possible to fight enemy aircraft at altitudes of up to 1,500 m and at a range of 2,000 m. For its design, Vladimirov's machine guns, which met the tactical and technical requirements, were taken as a basis. The installation was constantly refined and entered service with the Russian troops in 1946.
At the moment, the ZPU-4 is a powerful anti-aircraft machine gun installation, which includes: 4 14.5 mm CPV machine guns, a machine with aiming mechanisms, a wagon and sights. The machine itself consists of two parts: the upper rotates and is the basis for the swinging part. The distinctive features of this machine gun include:
- Driving on wheels of an automobile type with tires.
- The presence of special shock absorbers, the task of which is to facilitate the transition of the installation from traveling to combat.
- The total rate of fire - 2200 rounds per minute.
- The combat rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute.
- Ammunition: cartridges of 14.5 mm with different bullets - armor-piercing incendiary, tracer, incendiary instant action, incendiary sighting.
- Bullet speed - 300 m / s.
Operational Features
ZPU-4 anti-aircraft machine guns underwent various tests for a long time. The main problem of their work was the non-simultaneous course of the rolling machine gun trunks, as well as the occasional down-fire. It was also noted that the weapon of the installation — the speech about the KPV machine gun — did not differ in survivability. But the ZPU-4 was widely used on improvised armored trains, which were actively used during the wars in Chechnya.
NSV-12.7 "Cliff"
Large-caliber machine gun with a code designation "Cliff" was developed by a group of designers. Moreover, during the development, the main goal was to create universal weapons that could be used as support for infantry, as armament of armored vehicles and small vessels, and as an anti-aircraft machine gun in special installations. As a result, the model was constantly refined, and only in 1972 was adopted. The anti-aircraft machine gun "Cliff" has the following features:
- It works on the basis of gas automation, and the gas piston itself is located under the barrel.
- The barrel is air-cooled.
- Shooting can only be done with the shutter open.
- The machine gun operates on the basis of the trigger lever and manual fuse, which are located either on the machine or on the installation itself.
- The infantry machine additionally has a folding butt, where a recoil spring buffer is integrated.
- The caliber of the cartridges used by this weapon is 12.7 mm.
These machine-gun installations for a long time passed tests that confirmed: the weapon has high combat and operational characteristics. And although they were not taken into service soon, but thanks to these devices, the battle has become more effective.
Coaxial anti-aircraft machine gun ZU-2
Twin ZU-2 anti-aircraft machine guns are installations that made it possible to significantly strengthen the air defense of various regiments, primarily tank and anti-rifle ones. The design of the ZU-2 was developed on the basis of the features of the ZU-1, which was significantly improved:
- The cradle of the upper machine was adapted for attaching two 14.5 mm CPV machine guns.
- The model was supplemented by a seat for the gunner who served the sight.
- An additional right frame was mounted in which the second cartridge box is mounted.
- The carriage wheel drive was designed in a new way: now it has become integral. Thanks to this technological solution, the operation of the ZPU-2 has become more convenient, the new installation has become more resistant to firing in different conditions.
- For firing, cartridges of 14.5 mm are used.
The well-thought-out design of the anti-aircraft mount carriage made it possible to provide circular firing, and the weapon could be pointed in a vertical plane in a wide range of angles. Thanks to the installation of anti-aircraft sight, the combat effectiveness of the ZU-2 has become much higher. Such designs made it possible to conduct battles in different conditions - both in the fight against airborne aircraft and for hitting ground targets.
To a considerable degree, the ZU-2 combat effectiveness was enhanced by the installation of the ZAPP-2 anti-aircraft sight developed by the designers of the Progress plant on it. This sight is a fairly complex mechanical calculating device of high accuracy and provides the ability to conduct effective fire. In addition, the designers paid attention to a well-thought-out scheme of the work of this weapon.
PGI-1
Russian anti-aircraft machine guns - this is a wide selection of powerful weapons, which in many ways allowed to achieve good results in battles. PGI-1 is a mountain anti-aircraft machine-gun mount, on the basis of which it was possible to conduct military operations in mountainous and rugged terrain. This weapon was equipped with mountain guns and regimental mortars. When designing this type of installation, designers paid attention to ensure that transportation was possible not only in horse, but also in human packs.
The light anti-aircraft installation was thought out in such a way that it could effectively counteract aviation in difficult combat conditions. PGI-1 was modified for the tank version of the KPV machine gun, and the first batches of these machine guns were exported to Vietnam. The features of PGI-1 include:
- Light weight - in combat position, this installation has a weight of 220 kg, characterized by simple disassembly. To move the machine gun from place to place, enough effort of 5 people.
- As weapons, a modified 14.5 mm KPVT machine gun was used.
- The rotary mechanism has two horizontal guidance speeds, which makes it possible to easily and accurately point the weapon at an air target.
- The wheel drive makes it easy to transport the unit even on terrain with difficult terrain conditions.
- The defeat of an air target is conducted at a range of 2000 m and a height of up to 1500 m.
Machine guns of Russia and the world: modern realities
One of the most powerful weapons of our time is the anti-aircraft machine gun. The photo of many models shows that this equipment is reliable and safe to operate, capable of hitting air and ground targets. The average caliber of cartridges that are suitable for machine guns is from 12.7 mm, which guarantees the defeat of ground targets with a sufficient thickness of armor at a distance of 800 m.
Heavy machine guns are an addition to the fire system for many types of combat. They can be mounted on any equipment - from military vehicles to armored personnel carriers, and also strengthen infantry. In addition, this small weapon allows you to hit both air and ground targets, even moving ones. Interest in anti-aircraft machine guns is caused primarily by the firing range, which makes it possible to deal with serious goals.
At the moment, the most common in the world are two machine guns - 12.7 mm DShKM Soviet and Browning American-made. They differ in mobility, despite the considerable weight and size. In addition, all models are divided into universal or special. Field machines weigh an average of 140 kg. Of the large-caliber machine guns of Russia, the Russian NSV 12.7 mm caliber and the Russian KORD, which has unique mobility, speed, and the ability to hit different targets, attract attention.