At the coordinating scientific council on the development of combat equipment, which was organized by the Military Scientific Committee ground forces On January 29, that the AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles and the machine gun of the plant named after. V. Ya Degtyareva - AEK-971 will be adopted in the future Russian army. Today we will talk separately about each of them and answer the question why Kalashnikov assault rifles were preferred for combined arms units, and AEK - 971 - for special forces. Based on combat experience The development of the AK-12 started back in June 2011 and was carried out on an initiative basis under the leadership of the chief designer of Izhmash, Vladimir Zlobin, who took the developments of previous years as a basis. A year later, the first prototype of an assault rifle with the name AK-12 was presented to the Interdepartmental working group at the Military Industrial Commission. True, the weapon then received certain comments from the experts. The priority requirements were high accuracy of fire, compliance with various conditions combat use, the possibility of using modern sighting devices. The designers took into account these and other wishes, honing the combat capabilities of their offspring. The demonstration of their developments within the framework of the Army International Military-Technical Forums also became an incentive for gunsmiths. In 2016, at a similar exhibition, the Kalashnikov Concern also presented the AK-15 assault rifle chambered for 7.62 × 39 mm. As for the machine of the 12th model, it received significant differences in appearance and design of important components. As the gunsmiths noted, they took into account the identified shortcomings, and also took measures to improve the manufacturability of the product. In 2016, the latest versions of the AK-12 and AK-15 were sent for military trials to units of the Armed Forces. And here at the end last year The head of the Kalashnikov Concern, Alexei Krivoruchko, announced the successful completion of this stage of testing the assault rifles. According to him, the manufacturers took into account all the wishes and comments on the test models, adjusting the design based on practical application. At the same time, the head of the arms concern announced the readiness of the enterprise to launch a new weapon in a series. Excellence Factor Both products are based on the concept of the AK-74, which has proven itself in real combat conditions. The new assault rifles retained the traditional gas venting scheme for Kalashnikov products with the barrel bore being locked by turning the bolt. At the same time, the architecture of the fastening of the gas outlet and the forearm on the barrel has undergone changes: it has become freely suspended, that is, it practically does not come into contact with other parts of the weapon, which immediately improved the accuracy of fire. Among the features of the new models include a folding buttstock made of impact-resistant plastic, an adjustable cheek rest, a rigidly fixed receiver with a Picatinny rail, which provides convenient and repeatable installation of various types of day and night sights.
New machine guns can fire not only single shots and a continuous burst, but also short bursts, cutting off two rounds. Also, a muzzle brake-compensator is installed on the barrel, and in addition, it is possible to install a bayonet-knife, a quick-detachable silencer, as well as a 40-mm grenade launcher GP-25 or GP-34. The main criterion for choosing an AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifle for combined arms parts was the simplicity and reliability of these weapons. The corresponding opinion was voiced during the coordinating scientific council on the development of combat equipment, held in Moscow. Infantry innovations To date, agreements with the Kalashnikov Concern on the trial operation of promising models of machine guns have also been concluded by the Federal Service of the National Guard Troops. Colonel General Sergei Melikov, First Deputy Director of the Russian Guard, specified that AK-12 assault rifles are being tested in departments of the department, among other samples, and following the results of the Army-2017 forum, the Russian Guard, the FSB and the FSO showed interest in other novelties of Izhevsk gunsmiths - the AM assault rifle -17 and its silent variant AMB-17. Magnum editor-in-chief Yaroslav Koval notes that the new AK-12 and AK-15 variants have significant differences from old version AK-12, presented in 2015 - both in the design of the main components and mechanisms, and in appearance. “The layout, design of units and mechanisms of these samples are mostly based on the experimental AK-400, while there are also a number of developments from the old version of the AK-12,” the expert emphasizes. - The design of these automatic carbines has been revised to eliminate a number of shortcomings identified during testing and to meet the customer's recommendations, as a result of improvements, the manufacturability has been significantly improved.
The new AK-12 and AK-15 can use both magazines with transparent plastic windows for visual control of the presence of cartridges, and magazines from previous models of the AK family of the corresponding calibers.

“Small arms in modern combat are not relegated to the background,” one of the leading domestic experts in combat is convinced. firearms, an expert of the Ministry of Culture of Russia, and earlier the chief curator of the Central Museum of the Great Patriotic War Sergey Monetchikov. - The experience of the war showed that it was it that caused significant damage to manpower.

The expert noted that the construction of infantry battle formations is based on the simultaneous and maximum participation in the battle of all its fire weapons.
“The greatest density of fire, as is known, is created by the simultaneous participation of the main mass small arms- notes Sergey Monetchikov. - In this case, not only the quantity of fire weapons, but also the quality of each type of weapon will play a significant role. In other words, the density of fire is nothing but targeted fire from all types of small arms, and above all automatic ones. That is, the main requirement for the fire of infantry weapons is its density and mass character. From this, the design idea should proceed in the improvement of small arms.
About the AEK-971 assault rifle

MOSCOW, June 24 - RIA Novosti, Andrey Kots. This week, military tests of the latest AK-12 and AK-15 assault rifles were completed in Russia. These promising rifle complexes are the main contenders for the role of regular weapons for equipping the Ratnik serviceman. Both assault rifles are distant descendants of the good old AK, which entered the Soviet Army back in 1949 and which eventually became the most popular and massive assault rifle in the world. Of course, the novelties are made according to the most modern technologies, they have improved ergonomics, improved mechanics. But the basic principles of the legendary "Kalash" remained unchanged - reliability, unpretentiousness and ease of operation. Thanks to these qualities, he became one of the symbols of the Russian Armed Forces.

© Photo: press service of JSC Concern Kalashnikov

© Photo: press service of JSC Concern Kalashnikov

Nevertheless, machine guns in the arsenal of our army are represented not only by Kalashnikovs of various modifications. Soviet and Russian gunsmiths have created many interesting shooting systems. Although they did not join the troops en masse, they definitely managed to prove their effectiveness thanks to non-standard design solutions.

A-91

Bullpup scheme popular in the West in our country long time did not take root, although they experimented with it in Soviet time. It is an unconventional layout of the mechanisms of machine guns and rifles, in which the trigger and pistol grip are moved forward and located in front of the magazine and percussion mechanism. Such a scheme made it possible to make the weapon more compact and more accurate when firing bursts, which is very valuable in urban battles. Among the minuses of the "bullpup" are the center of gravity of the machine, which is unusual for most shooters, the shorter sighting line of mechanical sights and the specific location of the magazine, which makes it difficult to replace it.

One of the few Russian assault rifles, made according to this scheme, is the brainchild of the Design Bureau of Instrument Engineering. Shipunov - the A-91 rifle-grenade launcher complex, as well as its modification A-91M. It was first introduced in 1990, finely mass production started a year later. The machine is produced in two versions: "home" under the Russian cartridge 5.45x39 and export - under the NATO 5.56x45. The weapon turned out to be "grasping", compact, easy to use and reliable. The 40-mm grenade launcher integrated into the design significantly increased the firepower of the shooter on the battlefield. A special handle at the top of the machine made it easy to carry.

However, the A-91 did not receive mass distribution, despite all the advantages. The weapon turned out to be too heavy - 4.4 kilograms. The main assault rifle of the Russian army, the AK-74, weighs a kilogram less, which is quite significant. In addition, the fate of the A-91 was affected by the traditional distrust of the military in the bullpup layout, which nevertheless was implemented in a number of modern sniper rifles. And the machine gun from the KBP is currently used to a limited extent by the special forces of the Ministry of Defense and other law enforcement agencies.

AN-94

Created in 1994, the Nikonov AN-94 "Abakan" assault rifle was officially adopted by the Russian army in 1997. According to the plan of the military, he was supposed to replace the AK-74, which is very similar in appearance to its "younger" competitor. However, there were differences between the two machines, and quite significant.

In the AN-94, for the first time, the principle of a shifted recoil momentum was implemented to improve the accuracy and accuracy of the shot. Simply put, when firing from the Abakan in bursts, the shooter feels the impact of the butt on the shoulder only after the first two bullets leave the bore. The weapon "tosses up" starting from the third round. This result was achieved using the so-called fire monitor scheme, when the barrel is not fixed, but "rolls back" when fired. By the time it reaches its rearmost position and the shooter feels the recoil, the first two bullets will already be flying towards the target.

Especially for this feature, the AN-94 implemented a firing mode with a cut-off of two rounds. The accuracy and accuracy of this machine are amazing: the bullets fall literally at one point. But the dignity of "Abakan" is also its disadvantage. The design of the machine gun is too complex to be quickly mastered by a young conscript soldier. When disassembling the AN-94, it is divided into 13 parts, including two springs, a cable and a roller. Naturally, this requires a fundamentally different culture of handling weapons. To date, "Abakans" are in the arsenal of individual units of the armed forces, special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Guard.

AEK-971

This assault rifle, developed in 1978 at the Degtyarev plant, was Abakan's main competitor in the competition for the main rifle complex for the armed forces. In terms of its layout, the AEK-971 largely repeats the AK-74 and, at first glance, does not differ from it in appearance. However, if you remove the receiver cover, the difference is visible to anyone with even a little knowledge of weapons.

The creators of the AEK-971, like the designers of the AN-94, tried to effectively solve the problem of strong recoil when firing bursts. To do this, a counterweight-balancer was added to the automation unit, equal in mass to the bolt group. It is her movement back when reloading each cartridge that "shakes" the weapon. The task of the balancer moving when firing at opposite side(that is, forward) - to balance the recoil momentum and minimize it. This scheme is vaguely reminiscent of the work of weights-clocks on an old mechanical watch.

The test results showed that the AEK-971 surpasses the AK-74 by 15-20 percent in accuracy of fire, but is inferior to the Abakan when firing in short bursts. As a result, the last one won the competition. AEK-971 was produced in small batches for law enforcement agencies until 2006. However, in 2013, this assault rifle received a second life: on its basis, the A-545 rifle complex was created. Among its main differences from its predecessor is the Picattini rail on the receiver cover, which allows you to mount various sights, as well as the presence of a "flag" - a fire mode switch on both sides of the weapon. This updated complex is the main competitor of the AK-12 and AK-15 for the role of a regular assault rifle of the Ratnik kit.

ADS

The two-medium special automatic machine was created by the Design Bureau of Instrument Engineering. Shipunov in 2009 on the basis of the A-91 rifle-grenade launcher complex. It was first shown to the general public at the International Naval Show in 2013. As the name suggests, the machine is designed for use in two environments - on land and under water. Already in next year it can officially enter service with the units special purpose Navy. In particular, it will be used by units of combat swimmers (saboteur divers) and will replace in their arsenal underwater machine APS, adopted back in 1975.

The main difference between the ADS and its land "progenitor" A-91 is the gas venting mechanism, which is now equipped with a "water / air" switch. In the first position "inside" the machine is completely sealed, which prevents the ingress of water. In addition, a special PSP cartridge was developed for ADS, which is equally effective in both environments. The maximum firing range under water is 25 meters. A little, but more is not required, since visibility under water is usually very limited.

SR-3 "Whirlwind"

SR-3 "Whirlwind" was developed in Klimov TSNIITOCHMASH in 1994 on the basis of the famous silent machine gun of the Soviet special forces AS "Val". It is a compact and lightweight (only 2.4 kilograms) weapon for firefighting at distances up to 200 meters. The powerful SP-6 9x39mm cartridge makes it possible to effectively hit the enemy in bulletproof vests of the maximum degree of protection at a distance of 50 meters, which ammunition of longer-range machine guns cannot always boast of.

The most widespread in the special forces of the Ministry of Defense, the FSB, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Guard received a modification of the SR-3M. It differs from the original in improved ergonomics, the ability to install a silencer, metal magazines for 30 partons, optical, night and collimator sights, as well as a folding frame butt to the left and a new forearm with a tactical handle. This weapon has proven itself in battles in urban areas and in the "cleansing" of buildings. However, the SR-3M can also be effective as a personal weapon for the crews of aviation and land combat vehicles. Small dimensions and large firepower will allow them to effectively defend themselves on the battlefield if the equipment is disabled.

AK-74M

The AK-74 was created in the wake of the global race to reduce the caliber and increase the firing range. A simpler machine has not yet been invented. Partial disassembly is done on average in 10-15 seconds, assembly - in 20. And all this in field conditions without special tools. Even the average Russian schoolboy deal with it. However, in 2011, Izhmash began developing the fifth generation of Kalashnikov assault rifles, the AK-12. The new member of the family is as strong and reliable as his ancestor. But it is too early to talk about rearmament of the army with new rifles. And the AK-74 is the most popular weapon in the world and one of the symbols of Russia. It is most often found in computer shooters, an unimaginable number of songs and poems have been written about it, there is even a monument to an automaton in Kamchatka, and in 2008 the Central Bank of the Russian Federation issued coins with the image of "Kalash". The old joke begs: "What a pity that Kalashnikov was not born a car designer."

M16 A4

The M16, designed by designer Eugene Stoner, failed its first combat test in Vietnam in the 1960s. The "Black Rifle" turned out to be of little use for military operations. Due to the use of low-quality gunpowder, carbon deposits quickly appeared in the chamber, and the lubricant could not withstand the wet test. tropical climate. The machine constantly wedged, which led to disastrous consequences. Until now, the Internet walks playful Comparative characteristics M16 and AK-47 involved in one of the largest conflicts cold war. Here, for example, is one of the "indicators": M16, once in the river, stops working; AK-47, once in the river, continues to work - can be used as a paddle. True, the developers eliminated all the shortcomings of the first version of the M16, and in 1966 Colt received a government order for the production of 850,000 rifles. And for almost half a century, the M16 has been in service with the US Army. Today it is the second most common rifle in the world. After AK, of course. But the operators still periodically point out the capriciousness of American weapons.

HK G36

The idea to replace the legendary G3 submachine gun that has existed since 1959 with a more advanced model originated in the minds of the Bundeswehr command back in the 1970s. G3 could no longer cope with the functions assigned to it: it did not work well, for example, in deserts during peacekeeping operations. In addition, it was extremely heavy for long trips (more than four kilograms). For twenty s extra years not a single offer of gunsmiths satisfied the picky German military until the G36 rifle appeared in 1996. The new model from Heckler & Koch satisfied the generals. Relative lightness (there is a lot of plastic in the structure), an optical sight, the ability to use a Beta-C double-drum magazine for 100 rounds made this machine popular not only in Germany, but throughout the world. Over the past 15 years, it has been used in many conflicts, from the fighting in Kosovo to the Five-Day War in South Ossetia.

Steyr AUG A3

This is a complex of small arms, arranged according to the bullpup scheme, in which the magazine and bolt group are located behind the trigger. Such a scheme allows you to significantly reduce the length of the weapon without changing the size of the barrel, while maintaining the accuracy of shooting, which is very valuable for fighting in urban areas. The designers of Steyr Daimler Puch combined all types of infantry platoon weapons in one army universal rifle (Armee Universal Gewehr, AUG). When developing the machine, Austrian specialists applied the principle of modular assembly. AUG is reminiscent of Lego. With a slight movement of the hand, the machine turns into ... sniper rifle, it is enough to change the barrel and sight. There is an AUG variant in the form of a light machine gun. Modification A3 with Picatinny rails (rail rail system) allows you to simultaneously equip the machine with a sight, underbarrel grenade launcher, flashlight and laser designator.

Beretta ARX-160

In 2008, the world saw the invention of the arms company Beretta - the Italian assault rifle ARX-160. It was created as part of the Soldier of the Future program (Soldato Futuro). A similar program was invented by the Americans in the late 1990s to conduct military operations using high technology. The Italians decided to even slightly overtake the time: the ARX-160 is a futuristic weapon both externally and in terms of “stuffing”. Along with a light rifle made of impact-resistant polymer with a single-shot grenade launcher, the "soldier of the future" equipment included thermal imaging cameras that transmit to the network what every soldier sees on the battlefield, as well as the latest bulletproof vests. Today there are three variations of kits: "commander", "shooter" and "gunner-grenade launcher". Italian media sometimes report that Russia has expressed a desire to acquire Italian equipment.

Rare copy
Daewoo XK8

The XK8 rifle, also known as the DAR-21, was developed by Daewoo "arbitrarily", korean army she didn't ask for it. It's just that the gunsmiths decided that it was time to replace the obsolete K2 with high-tech rifles. They made a machine gun from polymers, like competitors, they attached it to the Picatinny rail laser sight. Even the trigger is wider here to make it easier to shoot with gloves on. Despite all the advantages of the novelty, Korean military leaders are in no hurry to take the machine into service. And now Daewoo is trying to sell its invention to foreign buyers.

In a movie about the Great Patriotic War ours always shoot from PPSh submachine guns (Shpagin submachine gun - with a butt and a round disk). And the Germans go on the attack with the Schmeisser, pouring bursts of water on the partisans from the hip. Was it really so?

What machines were actually used Soviet troops and Nazis? Who invented the first submachine gun? What are the most powerful machine guns in the world, what are the soldiers of modern armies armed with?

The world's first machine

The inventor of the world's first automatic rifle and the first machine gun is considered to be a subject Russian Empire Vladimir Fedorov. On the eve of the First World War, he began work on the automation of the main small arms of the Russian army - the Mosin rifle.

In 1913, the inventor made two prototypes of the new weapon. In terms of combat characteristics, it took an intermediate position between a light machine gun and an automatic rifle. That's why it's called automatic. This first machine gun in the world could fire both bursts and single shots.

However, due to the sluggishness of the Russian bureaucracy, the serial production of Fedorov assault rifles was launched only before the revolution itself. The special command of the Izmail Infantry Regiment on the Romanian front was the first to test the machine guns at the front. Already after the first battles, it turned out that in many cases the machine gun can successfully replace light machine gun.

The most powerful machines

How is the situation with weapons now and which types of small arms are considered the most powerful?

American automatic rifle M16

Western military experts consider the M16 automatic rifle the undisputed leader among assault rifles of the 20th century. Its creator was the well-known arms company Colt. Her last serial modification M16 A2 began to be delivered to the US Army in 1984. Firing range - 800 meters, caliber 5.56.

The fighting qualities of the rifle were highly appreciated american soldiers during Operation Desert Storm in Iraq. However, the war also exposed a number of its shortcomings. Among them - the unreliability of the return spring, sensitivity to contamination.


In the USSR, comparative tests of the M16 A2 and AK-74 were carried out. It was noted that american rifle better than the Soviet counterpart in single shooting, and the latter is superior to the American in burst shooting. The recoil of the M16 A2 is a third stronger than that of the Russian machine gun. Besides, soviet weapons far surpasses the American in terms of readiness for immediate use in a variety of conditions.

But the Yankees continue to improve their favorite weapons. The rifle is still in service with the armies of the United States and many other countries of the world.

American automatic rifle FN SCAR

The American FN SCAR is one of the best modern automatic rifles. This is the most versatile system that easily converts into a light machine gun, a semi-automatic sniper or an assault carbine. It is suitable both for long distances and for point-blank shooting when storming buildings.

Powerful modern rifle FN SCAR

An underbarrel grenade launcher is installed on the FN SCAR rifle, which can also be detached and used separately. All modern high-tech sights (optical, laser, thermal imaging, night vision, collimator, etc.) are mounted on it.

AT this moment The FN SCAR is in service with the American Rangers, is used in Afghanistan and Iraq and has proven its convenience and effectiveness. It is assumed that its light and heavy versions in the near future will replace not only the M16 rifle in special forces units, but also the more powerful M14, the Mk.25 sniper rifle and the Colt M4 carbine.

Powerful german rifles

Automatic rifle NK G36

Automatic rifle G-36 of the German company Heckler and Koch. gas outlet type. From the barrel bore, gases from the barrel are discharged through the side opening.

Top 10 slot machines

The rifle can be equipped with a collimator and optical sights, a bayonet knife, an underbarrel grenade launcher. According to Russian experts, the quality of single firing from it is higher than from the AK-74.

Automatic rifles NK 41 and NK 416

German automatic rifles NK 41 and NK 416 are made on the basis of a merger in one product best qualities rifles G36 and M16. Considering their merits, we can confidently talk about the notorious German quality. They have high lethal characteristics, are easy to maintain, resistant to moisture and dust. However, more specific conclusions can be drawn when these weapons massively show themselves in real hostilities.

FROM modern views weapons, everything seems to be clear, but how was it during the wars, in particular the Great Patriotic War. What rifles and pistols were in service with our army at that time?

Submachine gun Degtyarev

The Degtyarev submachine gun was created in the USSR in the thirties. It was used in Finnish war and at the initial stage of the Great Patriotic War. The model of the machine gun of the 1940 model of the year, more than 80 thousand copies of the new weapon were produced in the same year.

Shpagin submachine gun (PPSh)

By the end of 1941, the Degtyarev submachine gun was replaced by a much more reliable and advanced Shpagin submachine gun. The production of PPSh turned out to be also possible to master at almost any enterprise that has press equipment.


At the front, PPSh showed high fighting qualities, especially its modification with a carob magazine, which at the end of the war replaced the originally used drum magazine. However, its shortcomings were also revealed in the battles.

PPSh-41 was quite heavy, bulky and inconvenient. When the shutter was contaminated with dust or soot, it malfunctioned in firing. When driving on dusty roads, it had to be hidden under a raincoat.

The shortcomings of the PPSh forced the leadership of the Red Army to announce a competition for the creation of a new mass machine gun. And it was created in 1942 in besieged Leningrad. Sudayev's new submachine gun was put into service under the name PPS-42.


Initially, PPS-42 was produced only for the needs of the Leningrad Front. Then they began to take him along with the refugees along the Road of Life for the needs of other fronts.

A PPS bullet has lethal force at a distance of 800 meters. It is most effective when firing in short bursts.

The production technology of PPS was simple and cost-effective. Its parts were made by stamping, fastened with rivets and welding. The consumption of materials for its production compared to PPSh-41 has decreased three times. During the Second World War, about half a million pieces of teaching staff were produced.

Automatic "Schmeiser"

The weapon of the fascist punishers known from many films was actually not called the Schmeiser, but the MP 40. Contrary to scenes from popular films, shoot from the hip while standing in full height, the Nazis would be very uncomfortable.

The machine was released for the command staff german army, as well as paratroopers and tankers. mass weapons he was never an infantry.


Experts note among the advantages of this machine its compactness and ease of use, high lethality at distances of one hundred to two hundred meters. However, even a small amount of pollution put it out of action.

The most powerful assault rifle - the Kalashnikov assault rifle

Most popular machine in the world was invented by Sergeant Mikhail Kalashnikov, when in 1942 he was in the hospital after being wounded at the front. However, the AK was adopted after the war, in 1949. In 1959, its modernized version, AKM, went into production.

The most powerful Kalashnikov assault rifle against the M-16

The Kalashnikov assault rifle received its baptism of fire in Hungary in 1956. In the future, his various modifications were massively supplied to the allies of the USSR, national liberation and revolutionary movements. Its production was also established in many countries under licenses. According to some estimates, total of these machines in the world reaches 90 million pieces.

Its undoubted advantages are the highest reliability, unpretentiousness, insensitivity to moisture, dirt and dust, ease of use, assembly and disassembly. The downside for a long time was the low accuracy of fire. As a single shooting, he was also inferior to foreign counterparts.


Currently adopted by the Russian army latest version the legendary machine gun - AK-12. Experts express the hope that this model, after the final revision, will surpass all previous ones in its qualities.
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