Atomic bomb natasha. Tactical bomb Natasha and howitzer Dana: the most "feminine" weapon in the army. Pride of Nikita Sergeevich

On anti-war posters, atomic bombs were depicted as similar to conventional aircraft, but black and with the letter A on the side. What they actually looked like, only the designers and a narrow circle of people who were privy to this state secret knew.

THEY WAS THE FIRST

The reference book "Soviet nuclear weapons", published in the USA in 1989 (the Russian translation under the title "Nuclear weapons of the USSR" was published in 1992), reported only that "the number of nuclear bombs that can be delivered by aircraft is estimated at 5200 Although very little is known about nuclear arsenals, the 2,000-pound, 350 kt nuclear bomb appears to be the standard weapon. ".

Now it is already known for certain that the first Soviet atomic bomb ("product 501") was released at the very beginning of the 1950s in a small series - only five pieces. This then exhausted the nuclear potential of the Soviet Union, and the "products" were not delivered to the combat units of the Air Force, remaining in a special storage facility - where they were assembled - in Arzamas-16 (Sarov). The power of the nuclear charge (RDS-1), which was tested in 1949, was 20 kt. By design, "product 501" largely repeated the American "Fat Man" - Soviet intelligence knew its job.

But the Soviet Air Force already had at that time carriers of nuclear weapons - Tu-4 piston heavy bombers, copied on Stalin's orders from the American B-29 Superfortress (it was the B-29s that dropped the atomic bombs "Kid" and "Fat Man" on Hiroshima and Nagasaki). The "atomic" modification of the Tu-4 was the Tu-4A, for which a team led by Alexander Nadashkevich developed a special bomber weapon system.

In 1951, the next Soviet atomic bomb was tested - the 30-kiloton "Maria" (RDS-3 charge). She was delivered to the Semipalatinsk training ground Tu-4A. However, it was experimental, the first really combat serial atomic bomb was the 30-kiloton Tatyana (product 244N), launched in 1953, with an RDS-4T charge. "Tatiana" turned out to be very compact - its weight (1200 kg) and dimensions turned out to be four times less than that of the "501 product", which made it possible to adopt a new bomb into service not only for long-range aviation (Tu-4 bombers, Tu-95 turboprops, jet Tu-16, M-4, 3M and supersonic Tu-22), but also front-line (jet bombers Il-28 and piston Tu-2, supersonic Yak-26, Yak-28, as well as MiG-19, MiG- 21 and others). Theoretically, he could take on board the Tatyana and the Tu-14T naval torpedo bomber.

In 1954, "Tatiana" was dropped on the "stronghold of the infantry battalion of the US Army" during the famous Totsk exercises, when troops were driven through the center of a nuclear explosion, solving the training task "Breakthrough by a rifle corps of the enemy's prepared tactical defense using atomic weapons." The bomb was used on a conditional target by a Tu-4A bomber.

Already in 1952, the US Air Force Headquarters declared that "the Soviet Union has at its disposal a sufficient number of aircraft, trained pilots and bases to make it possible to attempt to deliver the entire stock of nuclear bombs to the United States." According to American intelligence, in the first half of the 1950s, the USSR had nine regiments of Tu-4A heavy bombers "with standard armament of 28 nuclear weapons, but the actual armament averaged 67 percent of the standard one." True, the ability of the Tu-4 to reach US territory, even with in-flight refueling (the Soviet specialists managed to create such a refueling system), was extremely doubtful. But in the European theater of operations and in Asia, they really could arrange a nuclear apocalypse.

Following Tatyana, Soviet scientists and designers created the 8U49 Natasha tactical atomic bomb (its carrier, in particular, was the small-scale Yak-26 front-line bomber).

THE PRIDE OF NIKITA SERGEEVICH

After tests in 1953-1955 of thermonuclear charges RDS-6S and RDS-37 (with a capacity of 400 kt and 1.6 Mt, respectively), Soviet strategic aviation received hydrogen bombs (for example, 37D). Alas, the success of those tests had to be paid with the lives and injuries of several people, including a three-year-old girl (who died due to the collapse of the ceiling in her house) - the reason for this was the bungling of some local administrators who did not bother to take proper security measures in areas adjacent to Semipalatinsk test site (although whether all the civilian commanders there were warned is another question). Dozens of settlements in one way or another suffered from the impact of the shock wave in these areas.

The designations of the Soviet strategic nuclear bombs RN-30 and RN-32 were mentioned in the open press.

"Miniaturization" of nuclear charges made it possible to create a tactical low-yield atomic bomb (5 kt) 8U69, which was intended for the first Soviet supersonic Su-7B fighter-bombers, launched in a series in 1960. Presumably, the MiG-21S fighter in a special version of the "E-7N" could also be its carrier.

On the eve of the Caribbean crisis (autumn 1962), in addition to ballistic and front-line cruise missiles, Il-28A light bombers with the appropriate tactical atomic bomb ammunition were transported to Cuba. They were quite capable of inflicting a nuclear strike on US territory. And a year before that, on October 30, 1961, a specially trained Tu-95 intercontinental heavy bomber (in a unique Tu-95V modification, the development of which was headed by Alexander Nadashkevich) dropped a hydrogen bomb "product 602" (it same AN602 or "Ivan", weight 26.5 tons). The power of the explosion was 50 Mt, which, however, was only half of the calculated one - they did not dare to test the full force of Ivan. All the same, these were the most grandiose weapons tests in the history of mankind.

At the suggestion of Khrushchev, "Ivan" was also nicknamed "Kuzka's mother", but this bomb, which did not fit in the bomb bay of the carrier ("Kuz'ka's mother" hung under the fuselage of the Tu-95V), was not accepted for service - it was intended solely for psychological pressure on the Americans. Since it was guaranteed to wipe Washington off the face of the earth with the help of R-7 intercontinental ballistic missiles, which by that time were on alert.

In 1961, 23 nuclear bombs were detonated at the Novaya Zemlya test site, and 22 at the Semipalatinsk test site. At the same time, Tu-16, Tu-95 bombers and Su-7B fighter-bombers were used. And the exercises of bomber aviation (Tu-16 aircraft) successfully conducted in 1962 on Novaya Zemlya with the actual use of hydrogen bombs, by the way, even today prove the possibility of limited use of nuclear weapons in a critical situation for the country.

SOVIET HERITAGE

The standard nuclear bomb of Soviet front-line aviation at the time of the collapse of the USSR was the 30-kiloton RN-40. Its carriers are MiG-23 and MiG-29 fighters, as well as, apparently, Su-17 and MiG-27 fighter-bombers. In addition, the RN-28 nuclear bomb was created, which could be delivered to the target by Yak-38 vertical take-off and landing attack aircraft based on Kyiv-class heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers. The stock of such bombs on Soviet ships of this type was 18 pieces - quite enough to destroy a small country.

For the use of tactical nuclear bombs at high supersonic speeds, MiG-25RB reconnaissance bombers (maximum speed 3000 km / h) were intended. Pilots of fighter-bomber aviation "worked out to automatism the most important combat mission - a single drop of nuclear bombs from a dive at an angle of 45 degrees immediately after performing a combat turn in afterburner. Unlike the Americans, who intended to shoot almost every Soviet tank individually with guided missiles, we looked at such things more broadly: two "special bombs" - and the tank regiment was gone.

At present, the Tu-160, Tu-95 and Tu-22M bombers (the latter are also available in the aviation of the Navy) are carriers of thermonuclear bombs in long-range aviation in Russia. Judging by the information published in some foreign sources, the power of domestic strategic hydrogen bombs reaches 5 and even 20 Mt. The Su-24 supersonic tactical bomber, capable of carrying TN-1000 and TN-1200 nuclear bombs, remains the main strike complex of front-line aviation (these designations are given in his reference book "Modern Military Aviation and Air Forces of the World" by English expert David Donald).

The arsenal of domestic aviation weapons also includes nuclear depth charges to destroy submarines. The first such bomb - 5F48 "Scalp" - appeared in the early 60s. It was intended for combat seaplanes Be-10 and Be-12. In addition, purely "land" anti-submarine aircraft (shore-based) Il-38 and Tu-142 received nuclear depth charges. The latter, thanks to its huge range, is able to use them in almost any area of ​​the World Ocean.

Depth charges with a nuclear charge can also be carried by carrier-based anti-submarine helicopters - the first of them was the Ka-25PLU, equipped with a "special", as it was customary to say in the environment of "secret carriers", an 8F59 bomb. This helicopter was developed by a decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated May 15, 1965, and, apparently, it is the world's first rotorcraft equipped with nuclear weapons. Subsequently, carrier-based Ka-27 helicopters and Mi-14 amphibious helicopters became carriers of anti-submarine nuclear weapons.

In army terminology, there are not only formidable names, like "Smerch" or "Hurricane". There are also many female names here. By March 8, we made a selection of "female" military equipment.

"Nona"

The airborne self-propelled gun 2S9 "Nona" can swim, can accelerate to 60 km / h and is armed with a 120-mm rifled gun-howitzer-mortar 2A51.

This gun is capable of firing not only high-explosive fragmentation shells, like a howitzer, but also direct-fire HEAT shells, like a cannon, as well as corrected ("Kitolov-2") ammunition.

In addition, the Nona gun can fire all types of mines of a similar caliber for smoothbore and rifled mortars, including lighting, smoke and incendiary ammunition.

The maximum firing range is about 12 km, but when using active-reactive ammunition, for example, the APCM projectile for the French RT-61 rifled mortar, the 2S9 firing range can be increased to 17 km.

"Dana"

Dana is also an iconic name for the military, and not just because of the once-popular Army Store show. After all, "Dana" is a 152-mm self-propelled gun-howitzer vz.77.

The self-propelled gun is built on an 8 × 8 wheeled chassis of a Tatra 815 truck, all tires have automatic inflation, and the suspension itself is independent. The crew of the self-propelled guns - 5 people, who are in three sealed armored cabins, equipped with air conditioning and protected by bulletproof armor.

The maximum range of fire is 20 km, shells can be fired both automatically and manually. It takes about two minutes to transfer an artillery mount from a traveling position to a combat one, and to leave a position after firing - no more than 60 seconds; in its maneuverability, a heavy self-propelled gun is superior to the BTR-70.

The twelve-cylinder V-shaped TATRA turbodiesel accelerates the 29-ton self-propelled gun to 80 km/h, and the cruising range is 600 km.

"Dana" - one of the few types of foreign equipment adopted by the army of the USSR - in 1988, 100 such self-propelled guns were purchased.

"Natasha"

Under this female name is a tactical atomic bomb. 8U49 "Natasha" was adopted by the Soviet long-range aviation in the 50s of the last century. A feature of this bomb was the possibility of its use at supersonic speeds - up to 3000 km / h.

8U49 "Natasha".

450 kg "Natasha" was armed with small-scale supersonic front-line bombers "Yak-26".

Bombing was possible from heights in the range of 0.5-30 km when performing both level flight and complex maneuvering.

"Katyusha"

Without this name, the list would be incomplete. "Katyusha" is one of the types of weapons that brought us victory in the Great Patriotic War.

The appearance of the BM-13 Guards rocket launchers among the Red Army was an unpleasant surprise for the Germans. A volley of one rocket launcher brought down 16,132-mm shells or 32 82-mm shells on the enemy's head.

Due to the fundamental feature of the detonation of Katyusha rockets (counter detonation - explosives are detonated from two sides, and when two detonation waves meet, they create much higher gas pressure values), the fragments had a much higher initial velocity and were very heated.

For this reason, BM-13 rockets had such a high igniting effect - the fragments sometimes reached a temperature of 800 ° C.

"Tatyana"

"Product 244N" or RDS-4, aka "Tatiana" - the first Soviet tactical atomic bomb, mass-produced. The power of the ammunition, which used the principle of implosion (there was a core with plutonium-239 inside the hollow sphere), was about 30 kilotons. Bomb weight - 1200 kg.

"Tatiana" ("product 244N")

The first bomb tests took place at the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site on August 23, 1953. Product 244 was dropped from an Il-28 aircraft at an altitude of 11 km, the explosion occurred at an altitude of 600 m, and a power of 28 kt was reached.

The Tatyana was in service for only two years - from 1954 to 1956.

Developed by NII-1011 (Snezhinsk), adopted by front-line and long-range aviation of the USSR Air Force in the 1960s and intended for bombing at supersonic flight speeds of a carrier aircraft (up to 3000 km / h). Initially, the carrier of 8U49 was a small-scale supersonic front-line bomber Yak-26, but subsequently the list of carriers was significantly expanded.

The design of the bomb body is made according to the tailless aerodynamic configuration, with an X-shaped plumage of the "free feather" type. The charge power was 40 kt, and the mass was 450 kg. Bomb length 3365 mm, maximum diameter 580 mm. Bombing is possible from heights in the range of 0.5-30 km when performing both horizontal flight and complex maneuvering.

Where to see

The body of the 8U49 atomic bomb is on display at the RFNC-VNIITF museum in Snezhinsk.

see also

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Notes

Links

• (Russian). Of. RFNC-VNIITF website. Retrieved December 13, 2011. .

An excerpt characterizing Natasha (atomic bomb)

Fleeing from Moscow, the people of this army took with them everything that had been looted. Napoleon also took with him his own tresor [treasure]. Seeing the convoy, cluttering up the army. Napoleon was horrified (as Thiers says). But he, with his experience of war, did not order to burn all the superfluous carts, as he did with the marshal's carts, approaching Moscow, but he looked at these carriages and carriages in which the soldiers rode, and said that it was very good, that these carriages will be used for provisions, the sick and the wounded.
The situation of the whole army was like that of a wounded animal, feeling its death and not knowing what it was doing. Studying the skillful maneuvers of Napoleon and his troops and his goals from the time they entered Moscow to the destruction of this army is like studying the significance of the death jumps and convulsions of a mortally wounded animal. Very often, a wounded animal, hearing a rustle, rushes to shoot at the hunter, runs forward, backward and accelerates its own end. Napoleon did the same under the pressure of his entire army. The rustle of the Tarutino battle frightened the beast, and he rushed forward to the shot, ran to the hunter, went back, forward again, back again and, finally, like any animal, ran back, along the most disadvantageous, dangerous path, but along the familiar, old track.
Napoleon, who appears to us as the leader of this whole movement (how wild the figure carved on the prow of the ship seemed to be the force that guides the ship), Napoleon during all this time of his activity was like a child who, holding on to the ribbons tied inside the carriage, imagines that he governs.

On October 6, early in the morning, Pierre left the booth and, returning back, stopped at the door, playing with a long, short, crooked-legged, lilac dog, which was spinning around him. This dog lived with them in a booth, spending the night with Karataev, but sometimes she went somewhere to the city and returned again. She probably never belonged to anyone, and now she was a draw and had no name. The French called her Azor, the soldier storyteller called her Femgalka, Karataev and others called her Gray, sometimes Hanging. Her non-belonging to anyone and the absence of a name and even a breed, even a certain color, did not seem to bother the lilac little dog in the least. The fluffy tail stood firm and round with a panache, the crooked legs served her so well that often she, as if neglecting the use of all four legs, gracefully lifted one back and very dexterously and soon ran on three paws. Everything was a pleasure for her. Then, squealing with joy, she lay on her back, then she basked in the sun with a thoughtful and significant look, then she frolicked, playing with a piece of wood or a straw.

In mid-August, Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces of Russia Viktor Bondarev revealed the main "aircraft" intrigue of recent years - the name of the first Russian fifth-generation fighter. He said that the promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA) would go into mass production as the Su-57. The aircraft has not yet managed to earn an unofficial nickname, in contrast to its “ideological” predecessor, the Su-47 prototype, which the creators dubbed “Berkut” at the design stage. NATO is also puzzling over the “nickname” for the new stealth fighter: since the beginning of the Cold War, Soviet aircraft in the West have always been assigned special designations, the so-called NATO reporting names. What names do Russian gunsmiths give to their equipment and how does our probable enemy “name” it?

"Traumatism" is coming to you

Traditionally, any weapon in Russia, be it a tank, a pistol, or an aircraft, is assigned an official letter or alphanumeric designation. It can "encrypt" the type of weapons, the name of the design bureau or the name of the general designer, the year of creation, the project number, and much more. In addition, most types of rifles and military equipment are assigned complex indices from the ordering departments of the Ministry of Defense. But in everyday life, official and unofficial "nicknames" are most often used, which are given to weapons either by the creators or the military.

In a number of directions, a system can be traced in such designations. The most striking example is the "flower" series of Soviet and Russian self-propelled guns, howitzers and mortars: "Cornflower", "Carnation", "Acacia", "Peony", "Tulip". Rocket artillery is traditionally named after destructive natural phenomena: "Hail", "Hurricane", "Smerch", "Tornado". Powerful multiple launch rocket systems capable of destroying an entire settlement in minutes, such names, you see, are very suitable.

The names of rivers are extremely popular with gunsmiths - they were especially often called air defense systems: the Shilka and Tunguska complexes, the Dvina, Neva, Pechora and Angara air defense systems. However, there are many exceptions to this rule - self-propelled and towed artillery installations "Msta", "Khosta", MLRS "Kama" (modification "Smerch") and others.

Many types of weapons, equipment and equipment are named in one way or another related to their "individual features". The heaviest Russian intercontinental ballistic missile R-36M2 deservedly bears the proud name of Voevoda. This “general of all ICBMs” is capable of throwing as many as ten warheads with a capacity of up to a megaton each into enemy territory. Attack helicopter Mi-28 "Night hunter", as you might guess, "sharpened" for combat work in the dark. The Shkval high-speed torpedo rocket is the absolute record holder in its class in terms of speed. Tank dynamic protection "Contact" is triggered upon contact with enemy ammunition. The winter camouflage coat was nicknamed “Blot” for its characteristic coloring, and the sniper camouflage suits popular in special forces were called “Leshim” and “Kikimora”. Indeed, a fighter in such an outfit looks like anyone, but not a person.

However, the overwhelming majority of Soviet and Russian types of weapons were named by their creators without any logic, being guided, rather, by the principle of the heroes of the film “Operation Y” - “so that no one guesses”. For reasons of secrecy, humor or just randomly. How else to explain the fact that the experienced automatic grenade launcher TKB-0134 was nicknamed "Kozlik"? Or heavy flamethrower system TOS-1 - "Pinocchio"? What guided the people who called the patrol ship "Cheetah", and the experimental floating car UAZ-3907 "Jaguar"? Felines are not known to be the biggest lovers of water. Armored medical vehicles for the Airborne Forces were completely “baptized” by a big fan of black humor. Wounded comrade, "Aibolit" is coming to you. Or be patient, fighter, "Injury" is already close.

Special mention deserves the names of various ammunition, which were clearly invented by very poetic people. Thermobaric warhead "Excitement" for MLRS "Smerch", 122-mm rocket projectile 9M22K "Decoration" for "Grad", 240-mm rocket MS-24 with a chemical warhead "Laska" and 220-mm propaganda projectile "Paragraph ". Apparently complete. Against this background, the Phantasmagoria target designation station, the Ballerinka 30-mm aircraft gun, the Aistenok portable artillery reconnaissance radar and the Natasha Soviet tactical atomic bomb are somehow lost.

"Hooligan" and "Mitten"

Naturally, any Western military will go crazy if he tries to understand all the intricacies of our weapon-linguistic diversity. However, it is not easy for a Russian to understand why, for example, the Tu-160 (White Swan) strategic missile carrier is called “Blackjack” in the American press, the MiG-29 light fighter is called the “Fulcrum” (Fulcrum), and the Ka-25 anti-submarine helicopter - Hormone. It would seem that in the West things with fantasy are even more abrupt than in our country. However, the NATO code classification for Soviet and Russian aircraft is based on a very simple system.

Aircraft and helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the West are assigned names, the first letters of which correspond to their type. For example, fighters (fighter) are given “nicknames” with the letter F. The Su-27 and all its “descendants” up to the Su-35 received the “nickname” Flanker - “Flanker”, the MiG-31 high-speed interceptors - Foxhound (“Fox hound"), and Su-34 fighter-bombers became "Football defenders" (Fullback). Exactly on the same principle, the Americans give names to our bombers (bomber): Tu-95 and its modifications - Bear ("Bear"), Tu-22M Backfire ("Hitting in the rear"), Tu-22 early versions - Blinder ("Blinding ") etc.

The letter M (miscellaneous - different) in the NATO classification refers to all other types of aircraft: reconnaissance, combat training, early warning and others. These include the “simulator” fighter Yak-130 Mitten (“Mitten”), the AWACS aircraft A-50 Mainstay (“Osnova”), the tanker Il-78 Midas (“Tsar Midas”). Designations of transport workers begin with C (cargo - cargo): Il-76 Candid ("Sincere"), An-124 Condor ("Condor"), An-12 Cub ("Puppy"). The names of helicopters, as you might guess, begin with H (helicopter): Mi-24 Hind ("Doe"), Mi-28 Havoc ("Ravager"), Mi-26 Hoodlom ("Hooligan").

It is worth paying tribute to the potential enemy: many nicknames are chosen quite aptly. But for the life of me, it is not clear why our Su-25 attack fighter, armored like a tank and armed to the teeth, was nicknamed “Frogfoot” by NATO?

Or what "nicknames" in the Russian Federation and NATO are given to our weapons

Commander-in-Chief of the Aerospace Forces of Russia Viktor Bondarev in mid-August revealed the main "aircraft" intrigue of recent years - the name of the first Russian fifth-generation fighter. He said that the promising front-line aviation complex (PAK FA) would go into mass production as the Su-57. The aircraft has not yet managed to earn an unofficial nickname, in contrast to its "ideological" predecessor - the Su-47 prototype, which the creators dubbed "Berkut" at the design stage.

NATO is also puzzling over the "nickname" for the new stealth fighter: since the beginning of the Cold War, Soviet aircraft in the West have always been assigned special designations, the so-called NATO reporting names. What names do Russian gunsmiths give to their equipment and how our probable enemy "names" it - in the material of RIA Novosti.

The military destroyed the "enemy", for the first time using "Pinocchio" during the battle
Traditionally, any weapon in Russia, be it a tank, a pistol, or an aircraft, is assigned an official letter or alphanumeric designation. It can "encrypt" the type of weapons, the name of the design bureau or the name of the general designer, the year of creation, the project number, and much more. In addition, most types of "shooters" and military equipment are assigned complex indices from the ordering departments of the Ministry of Defense. But in everyday life, official and unofficial "nicknames" are most often used, which are given to weapons either by the creators or the military.
In a number of directions, a system can be traced in such designations. The most striking example is the "flower" series of Soviet and Russian self-propelled guns, howitzers and mortars: "Vasilek", "Carnation", "Acacia", "Peony", "Tulip". Rocket artillery is traditionally named after destructive natural phenomena: "Hail", "Hurricane", "Smerch", "Tornado". Powerful multiple launch rocket systems capable of destroying an entire settlement in minutes, such names, you see, are very suitable.

Volley from TOS 1A "Pinocchio"

The names of rivers are extremely popular with gunsmiths - they were especially often called air defense systems: the Shilka and Tunguska complexes, the Dvina, Neva, Pechora and Angara air defense systems. However, there are many exceptions to this rule - self-propelled and towed artillery mounts "Msta", "Khosta", MLRS "Kama" (modification "Smerch") and others.

Long-range multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) "Smerch" during the assault on the positions of IS militants in Palmyra. Syria, 02. 2016

Many types of weapons, equipment and equipment are named in one way or another related to their "individual features". The heaviest Russian intercontinental ballistic missile R-36M2 deservedly bears the proud name of Voevoda. This "general of all ICBMs" is capable of throwing as many as ten warheads with a capacity of up to a megaton each into enemy territory. The attack helicopter Mi-28 "Night Hunter", as you might guess, is "imprisoned" for combat work in the dark. The Shkval high-speed torpedo rocket is the absolute record holder in its class in terms of speed. Tank dynamic protection "Contact" is triggered upon contact with enemy ammunition. The winter camouflage coat was nicknamed “Blot” for its characteristic coloring, and the sniper camouflage suits popular in special forces were called “Leshim” and “Kikimora”. Indeed, a fighter in such an outfit looks like anyone, but not a person.

However, the vast majority of Soviet and Russian types of weapons were named by their creators without any logic, guided rather by the principle of the heroes of the film "Operation Y" - "so that no one would guess." For reasons of secrecy, humor, or just at random. explain the fact that the experienced automatic grenade launcher TKB-0134 was nicknamed "Kozlik"? Or the heavy flamethrower system TOS-1 - "Pinocchio"? "Cats, as you know, are not the biggest lovers of water. Armored medical vehicles for the Airborne Forces were completely "baptized" by a great lover of black humor. Wounded comrade, "Aibolit" is coming to you. Or be patient, fighter, "Injury" is already close .

Special mention deserves the names of various ammunition, which were clearly invented by very poetic people. Thermobaric warhead "Excitement" for MLRS "Smerch", 122-mm rocket projectile 9M22K "Ukralene" for "Grad", 240-mm rocket MS-24 with a chemical warhead "Laska" and 220-mm propaganda projectile "Paragraph" ". Apparently complete. Against this background, the Phantasmagoria airborne target designation station, the Ballerinka 30-mm air gun, the Aistenok portable artillery reconnaissance radar, and the Natasha Soviet tactical atomic bomb are somehow lost.

"Hooligan" and "Mitten"

Naturally, any Western military will go crazy if he tries to understand all the intricacies of our weapon-linguistic diversity. However, it is not easy for a Russian to understand why, for example, the Tu-160 (White Swan) strategic missile carrier is called "Blackjack" in the American press, the MiG-29 light fighter is called the "Fulcrum" (Fulcrum), and the Ka-25 anti-submarine helicopter - Hormone. It would seem that in the West things with fantasy are even more abrupt than in our country. However, the NATO code classification for Soviet and Russian aircraft is based on a very simple system.

Aircraft and helicopters of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the West are assigned names, the first letters of which correspond to their type. For example, fighters (fighter) are given "nicknames" with the letter F. Su-27 and all its "descendants" up to the Su-35 received the "nickname" Flanker - "Flanking", MiG-31 high-speed interceptors - Foxhound ("Fox hound"), and Su-34 fighter-bombers became "Football defenders" (Fullback). Exactly on the same principle, the Americans give names to our bombers (bomber): Tu-95 and its modifications - Bear ("Bear"), Tu-22M Backfire ("Hitting in the rear"), Tu-22 early versions - Blinder ("Blinding ") etc.

The letter M (miscellaneous - different) in the NATO classification refers to all other types of aircraft: reconnaissance, combat training, early warning and others. These include the Yak-130 Mitten ("Mitten") "simulator" fighter, the A-50 Mainstay ("Osnova") AWACS aircraft, and the Il-78 Midas ("Tsar Midas") tanker. Designations of transport workers begin with C (cargo - cargo): Il-76 Candid ("Sincere"), An-124 Condor ("Condor"), An-12 Cub ("Puppy"). The names of helicopters, as you might guess, begin with H (helicopter): Mi-24 Hind ("Doe"), Mi-28 Havoc ("Ravager"), Mi-26 Hoodlom ("Hooligan").
It is worth paying tribute to the potential enemy: many nicknames are chosen quite aptly. But for the life of me, it is not clear why our Su-25 attack fighter, armored like a tank and armed to the teeth, was nicknamed "Frogfoot" by NATO?