In the 30s of the last century, against the backdrop of a rapidly changing situation in the world, the USSR had an urgent need to create modern military forces. The technology of the USSR lagged far behind the countries of Europe, and the country's security had to be maintained. Soon Russian designers and military engineers got down to business.
Goals and objectives
The government has set several tasks for the designers:
- Improving the existing weapons and equipment of the USSR.
- Creation in the next two years of the most modern, efficient and powerful models of aircraft, tanks, artillery installations.
- The introduction of these samples into the Russian army as soon as possible.
- Creation of new small arms, machine guns, mortars.
In pursuit of the perfect weapon
The goals and objectives set by the government had to be fulfilled. The military production of the country began to spin with rapid force. The plan was carried out successfully. In just two or three years it wasdesigned and produced more than 350,000 units of various military equipment.
In the pursuit of perfect weapons, the government did not spare its people at all. Military equipment of the USSR was really expensive. Gold, silver, platinum and diamonds were sold abroad in huge quantities. Large stocks of timber, oil, nickel, manganese and cotton were exported.
Sold the property of churches and museums, libraries and art galleries. Bread was exported in tons abroad. The standard of living of the population was rapidly falling, people were starving.
Wartime
At the cost of the he alth and lives of millions of Russian people, the country's combat power grew even in difficult war years. The development of technology in the USSR continued. In wartime, by the titanic labor of the people, the pace of production rapidly increased.
More than 136,000 aircraft, more than 100,000 tanks, about half a million small arms were produced.
Let's take a quick look at what the USSR's safety equipment was like.
Armored and mechanized troops
- The most popular at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War was a high-speed tank - BT. He developed a speed of up to 70 km / h, had a power reserve of 700 km, and could travel on water. He was very agile and agile. On a bad and broken road, he moved on caterpillars, but on a good and even road he could drive like a car - the caterpillars were discarded.
- Heavy tank KV. It surpassed any German tank in its characteristics and power. He had strong armor, good maneuverability and handling. In the battle near Moscow, the KV distinguished himself noticeably: it destroyed a large number of Nazi special equipment, soldiers, officers and caused indignation and amazement among the enemy. For all the time while he was shooting at German fortifications and destroying the Nazis, no one could knock him out and set fire to him.
- T-34 is a medium tank that was released in 1940. Initially, he did not meet all the requirements and showed himself rather weakly. But in the course of modernization, its characteristics were improved. The "new" version of the T-34 was reliable, well controlled, and reached speeds of up to 55 km/h. It had a relatively small weight for a tank. It was equipped with a powerful cannon that could easily penetrate any German tank of 1941-1943.
Artillery equipment of the USSR
- A-19 - such guns were made back in the 30s. They were created for counter-battery combat. With the help of such deadly weapons, enemy rear lines were suppressed, all routes for the supply of food and ammunition were cut off. The A-19 was superior in its characteristics to all foreign artillery pieces of this type. She was very efficient and accurate. The big disadvantage of this gun was its weight. She was heavy.
- 57-mm anti-tank gun - this was first assembled back in 1940, but due to the large mass, it was decided to remake its design. As a result, in 1941, a new 57-mm gun was released. It surpassed its English counterpart in terms of capabilities and characteristics. Could penetrate 90 mm tank armor. Created to suppress infantry fire weapons, tanks, armored vehicles and manpower.
Soviet aviation
- Pe-2 is a bomber that appeared back in 1940. It was equipped with modern for its time electrical engineering and specialized equipment. In particular, it had a pressurized cabin and a remote control. Used for bombing attacks from level flight.
- IL-2 - combat aircraft. Provided significant air support to the Soviet ground forces. Initially created single. But since the losses among the IL-2 aircraft were large, the design was modernized. A second seat has been added for the gunner.
- YAK-3 - was a development of the Yak-1M combat aircraft. It reached speeds up to 650 km / h, was very maneuverable and light.
- LA-7 - wooden fighter. It was adopted towards the end of the war. The design was equipped with powerful weapons. Reduced weight. Improved aerodynamics.
Some aviation equipment of the USSR was made of wood because metal became scarce during the war years. The production of tanks, shells, and artillery mounts consumed large stocks of metal. Therefore, in the construction of many fighters and combat aircraft, birch, delta wood and plywood were used.
These aircraft were coated with resin glue and carefully polished upon completion. In the language of pilots, they were called "pianos".
That's how it was - the weapon of Victory.
Equipment in the post-war period
After the end of the war, the USSR continued to develop its technical and military potential. It was at this time that such types of automatic and artillery weapons were designed as a Kalashnikov assault rifle, a self-propelled gun battery, a Simonov carbine, an updated Goryunov machine gun, a Degtyarev light machine gun, and various mounted anti-tank grenade launchers.
New types of efficient and powerful armored vehicles have appeared: the amphibious tank PT-76, medium tank T-54, heavy tank IS-4, T-10.
In the field of aviation, the Yak-25 fighter-interceptor, SU-17, SU-7b bombers, as well as AN-8, AN-12, AN-22 military transport aircraft were produced.
Ground forces received such missile systems as Osa, Kub, Krug, Strela-2, Strela-3.
The USSR rapidly developed its combat potential, and the military power of our country was no longer inferior to European countries, China and the USA.
