Large-caliber anti-aircraft machine guns - specifications and photos

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Anti-aircraft machine guns are weapons that have circular fire, a very high elevation angle, and make it possible to fight enemy aircraft. Modern weapons installations of the Russian Federation are reliable devices, on the basis of which it is possible to conduct active combat for a long time. Consider the most popular models of anti-aircraft machine guns.

DShK easel machine gun

The Degtyarev-Shpagin heavy machine gun (DShK) was widely used back in the war years, when it was necessary 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 against low-flying aircraft. As the designer himself said, this technique was created as an infantry one, but due to the achievement of a high caliber indicator, 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 design principles were retained.

Technical features of DShK

After the release of the DShK, it was constantly improved, first of all, the rate of fire was increased, the cartridge supply system became more perfect. Already in 1939, anti-aircraftThe DShK machine gun was adopted by the Red Army. The main technical characteristics of this type of weapon include:

1. Automatic mechanisms powered by the energy of powder gases.
2. 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.
3. The barrel is air-cooled, and ribs are located along the entire length of the barrel.
4. Thoughtful design allows you to change the heated barrel right on the firing position.
5. The DShK anti-aircraft machine gun has a lockable channel - bolt lugs are used for this.
6. Firing is carried out on the basis of 12.7 mm caliber cartridges, the ammunition also consists of cartridges with armor-piercing bullets capable of penetrating armor 16 mm thick, and cartridges with tracer bullets.
7. Sights include a folding frame sight and a front sight mounted on a high post in the muzzle.

The DShK machine gun is notable for its universal application, since it is mounted on a machine tool designed by Kolesnikov. The high combat qualities of the heavy machine gun made it possible to use it in different branches of the armed forces.

Easy machine gun "Maxim"

The Maxim anti-aircraft machine gun is one of the most popular heavy 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, it performs well with sudden fire at a distance of 600 m. The first machine gun "Maxim"was created by an American engineer in 1883, and Russian craftsmen improved it by making more than 200 changes to the design. This resulted in improved performance.

Maxim large-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun is an automatic weapon system with barrel recoil. That is, after the shot, the barrel is thrown back by powder gases, after which the reloading mechanism is turned on: a 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:

1. High rate of fire - 600 rounds per minute with a rate of fire of 250-300 rounds per minute.
2. The trigger mechanism allows for automatic fire, equipped with a fuse that protects against accidental shots.
3. Sights are a rack and front sight, and a telescopic sight on some models.
4. The machine gun is placed on a wheeled machine designed by Sokolov: it ensures stable shooting at ground targets, and the wheel travel makes it easy to move the machine gun to the firing position manually.

How does the Maxim machine gun work?

Maxim anti-aircraft machine guns are distinguished by stable operation: they were widely used when escorting infantry on any terrain, since the weapon easily suppressed enemy fire and cleared the way for shooters. During offensive operations, the heavy machine gun actively fights enemy infantry, and also conducts an attack on vulnerablesections of the tank - viewing slots or sights. During the offensive, the machine gun moves forward, after which it occupies certain positions. They change depending on the characteristics of the battle.

Vladimirov machine gun (KPV)

Vladimirov's large-caliber anti-aircraft machine gun is designed to destroy tanks. The cartridges used are 14.5 mm caliber, and the weapon is capable of penetrating 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:

1. The shutter is locked by turning the combat larva and a copy-type accelerator.
2. The design of the trigger allows only automatic fire.
3. Firing in long or short bursts.
4. Rate of fire - about 80 rounds per minute. At the same time, after 150 shots during long-term fire, it is necessary to replace the machine gun barrel.
5. The fuse system prevents possible accidental shots.

These machine guns, widely used by rifle units, are mounted on a wheeled machine and are heavy.

M-4 quadruple machine gun mount

The M-4 quadruple 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 special protection is needed.large and important facilities. This machine gun is suitable for shelling ground targets. True, due to the insufficiency of the caliber - it was only 7.62 mm - the installations were withdrawn from service.

The ZPU-4 quad anti-aircraft machine gun mount, on the contrary, has been widely used. And primarily due to the fact that the caliber of the ZPU-4 anti-aircraft machine gun was 12.7-20 mm. Such an installation made it possible to fight enemy aircraft at an altitude of up to 1500 m and at a distance of 2000 m. For its design, Vladimirov machine guns were taken as the basis, which met the tactical and technical requirements. The installation was constantly being improved 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 machine guns KPV 14.5 mm, a machine with aiming mechanisms, a wagon and sights. The machine itself consists of two parts: the upper one rotates and is the basis for the swinging part. The distinctive features of this machine gun include:

1. Roading on automobile-type wheels with tires.
2. The presence of special shock absorbers, the task of which is to facilitate the transition of the installation from traveling to combat.
3. The total rate of fire is 2200 rounds per minute.
4. Combat rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute.
5. Ammunition: 14.5 mm cartridges with different bullets - armor-piercing incendiary, tracer, instant incendiary, incendiary sighting.
6. Speedbullet flight - 300 m/s.

Features of operation

ZPU-4 anti-aircraft machine guns have been undergoing various tests for a long time. The main problem of their work was the non-simultaneous movement of the recoiling barrels of machine guns, as well as sometimes downed aiming. It was also noted that the weapon of the installation - we are talking 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 Utes

The large-caliber machine gun with the code designation "Cliff" was developed by a whole group of designers. Moreover, during the development, the main goal was to create a universal weapon that could be used as support for infantry, as weapons for armored vehicles and small ships, and as an anti-aircraft machine gun on special installations. As a result, the model was constantly being refined, and only in 1972 was it put into service. Anti-aircraft machine gun "Cliff" has the following features:

1. Works on the basis of gas automatics, and the gas piston itself is located under the barrel.
2. The barrel is air-cooled.
3. Shooting can only be done from an open shutter.
4. The machine gun works on the basis of the trigger lever and manual safety, which are located either on the machine or on the installation itself.
5. Infantry machine additionally has a folding stock, which has a built-in spring recoil buffer.
6. The caliber of cartridges used by this weapon is 12.7 mm.

These machine-gun installations have been tested for a long time, which confirmed that the weapon has high combat and operational characteristics. And even if they were not taken into service soon, but thanks to these devices, combat became more effective.

Twin anti-aircraft machine gun ZU-2

The ZU-2 twin anti-aircraft machine guns are installations that made it possible to significantly strengthen the air defense of various regiments, primarily tank and anti-rifle regiments. The design of the ZU-2 was developed on the basis of the features of the ZU-1, which was significantly improved:

1. The cradle of the upper machine was adapted for mounting two machine guns KPV 14, 5 mm.
2. The model began to be supplemented with a seat for the gunner who served the sight.
3. An additional right frame was mounted, into which the second cartridge box is mounted.
4. The wheel carriage of the carriage 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.
5. 14.5 mm cartridges are used for shooting.

The thoughtful design of the anti-aircraft gun carriage made it possible to provide circular fire, and the weapon could be aimed in a vertical plane in a wide range of angles. Thanks to the installation of an anti-aircraft sight, the combat effectiveness of the ZU-2 has become much higher. Similar designs made it possible to fight in different conditions - both in the fight against air aircraftdevices, and to destroy ground targets.

To a large extent, the increase in the combat effectiveness of the ZU-2 was facilitated by the installation of the ZAPP-2 anti-aircraft sight on it, developed by the designers of the Progress plant. This sight is a fairly complex mechanical calculating device of a high accuracy class and provides the ability to conduct effective fire. In addition, the designers paid attention to the thoughtful operation of this weapon.

ZGU-1

Russian anti-aircraft machine guns are a wide range of powerful weapons, which in many ways have made it possible to achieve good results in battles. ZGU-1 is a mountain anti-aircraft machine gun installation, on the basis of which it was possible to conduct combat operations in mountainous and rugged terrain. This weapon was equipped with mountain guns and regimental mortars. When designing this type of installation, the designers paid attention to ensuring that transportation was possible not only in horse, but also in human packs.

The light anti-aircraft gun was designed in such a way that it could effectively counter aircraft in difficult combat conditions. ZGU-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 ZGU-1 include:

1. Light weight - in combat position, this installation has a weight of 220 kg, featuring easy disassembly. To move the machine gun from place to place, the efforts of 5 people are enough.
2. A modifiedmachine gun KPVT 14, 5 mm.
3. The rotary mechanism has two horizontal aiming speeds, which makes it possible to easily and accurately aim the weapon at an air target.
4. The wheel drive makes it easy to transport the unit even on terrain with difficult terrain conditions.
5. Aerial targets are engaged at a distance of 2000 m and at a height of up to 1500 m.

Machine guns of Russia and the world: modern realities

One of the powerful weapons of our time is an anti-aircraft machine gun. A photo of many models shows that this technique is distinguished by reliability and safety of operation, 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 sufficient armor thickness 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 combat vehicles to armored personnel carriers, and also reinforce the infantry. In addition, this small arms allows you to hit both air and ground targets, even moving ones. Interest in anti-aircraft machine guns is primarily due to the firing range, which makes it possible to deal with serious targets.

At the moment, two machine guns are considered the most common in the world - 12.7 mm DShKM Soviet and American-made Browning. They are distinguished by mobility, despite their considerable weight and size. In addition, all models are divided into universal or special. Field machines averageweigh from 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.