reconstruction system “Shield-1” / P-23m
In the past, the development of the space industry was directly linked to military projects. Considering the threats of the future, superpower seriously prepared to keep fighting in orbit and even created a special weapon for this. In the mid '70s the Soviet Union orbited space station military "Almaz", carrying the gun mount, "Shield-1" - the first and only of its kind.
secret project
The known data, arms for the space station developed in the early seventies and experienced in 1974-75 gg. However, for a long time after that projects "Diamond" and "Shield-1 'remain secret. Later, in the 90's some information began to appear, but they are only allowed to make a very general picture of.
To date, new information. Furthermore, It was shown even a prototype (or layout) artillery system. However, available data still are sketchy, and sometimes contradict each other. Nevertheless, open data already allow us to represent the target, the progress and results of the project.
known, that the development of the product "Shield-1" was conducted at OKB-16 (now KB Tochmash) under the direction of AE. Nudelmana. The aim of the project was to create a special gun mount, suitable for use on spacecraft.
At that time, it created new military spacecraft, and the customer seriously feared opposition from the potential enemy. Using their spacecraft, the enemy could disable or damage the Soviet satellites or space stations. To protect against such threats was proposed to use certain weapons. The first worked through the idea of installing an automatic small-caliber gun. Then proposed the creation of a missile defense system.
lack of information
For a long time it was known only the fact of the creation of the cannon to SC. It was also known, This system had the caliber 23 mm, and it is based on one of the existing instruments. It means, that in the "Shield-1" can be used the product HP-23 or P-23 development OKB-16.
In October 2015 g. TV channel "Star" made a great gift to all fans of space technology and artillery. In the latest edition of "Military Acceptance" for the first time demonstrated an experienced (or breadboard) sample artillery systems KA Series "Diamond". Besides, in the transmission disclosed some details of the design.
Space gun from the store KB Tochmash
However, surprise from the "Military Acceptance" was ambiguous. Program to answer some questions, but left the new. Catechumens that the name, ammunition, designs etc.. We did not meet the existing data on the national armaments. In the same time, the amount of available information about the topic seriously replenished.
Riddles of the "Stars"
The television program space gun designated as R-23M "Buckshot". However, in the literature available under this name appears modification aircraft cannon F-23 under special shot with ready submunitions - canister. However, in the case of a television program by the name of the product, looks like, It was received directly from the enterprise developer.
Curious claims related to space system. In the TV program said, that she had the caliber 14,5 mm and showed a rate of 5000 rds. / min. All this is a far cry from the characteristics of the P-23, if it was not about a deep modernization.
At the installation shown cannon ammunition belt. It has been argued, that in order to create a unitary space gun telescopic chuck with fully recessed shell, by product type 23h260 mm cannon F-23. However, as shown the cartridges were markedly less 23-mm rounds. In this case, they are clearly intended for the demonstrated guns, as evidenced by the size of the cartridge box and the feed path.
Cannon on the frame, cartouche filmed
Product description in the television show raises questions, but a demonstration of the actual product is worthy of praise and gratitude. To "Military Acceptance" the exact shape of space weapons remained unknown.
The product from the screen
Consider shown "Star" install, in general, and its individual components. Fortunately, the expected product is "Shield-1" shown in a fully assembled and partially disassembled, that allows a better understanding of its.
Artillery unit consists of several main components. This is actually an automatic gun, frame for its assembly and the tools for working with ammunition. Interesting setting arrangement. Frame with an instrument placed at the bottom, and on top of their box set of complex shape, accommodating the cartridge tape. From the side of the box moves sleeve, feed belt into a weapon.
On the left side of the gun provides a rigid semi-circular guide tape. Right - outlet for ejecting forward sleeves.
Belt with ammunition for guns
Recall, P-base 23 is a turret type automatic gun with three movable chamber. The rotating chamber unit located in the rear of the receiver, and the tape was placed over the receiver breech. The automation of the system used three gas engines, operating in series.
Special ammunition telescopic fed into the chamber shifted back; sleeve spew forth. Inflammation was carried out using the electric trigger. The particular scheme has reduced dimensions and weight of the gun in the preparation of high performance combat.
Apparently, museum space gun did have the caliber 14,5 mm. In this case, at its core it was a heavy machine gun, formed on the basis of gun F-23. It had retained the basic design decisions, but the product scaled to fit the size 14,5 mm - and at the same time created a telescopic cartridge of the type existing 23h260 mm. This design could really show the rate at 5 thousand. rds. / min.
The known data, the gun set to "Shield-1" was rigidly mounted on the spacecraft carrier. Guided weapons carried by the maneuvering and turning the whole ship. Recoil offered to compensate thrusters. Is controlled by a separate control on the center post of the ship carrier.
Rifle orbit
The product "Shield 1" destined for the station "Diamond". The only prototype of such a system was being installed at the station "Almaz-2", also known as "Salute-3 '. Running the station held 26 June 1974 g. A few days later, "Almaz-2" went "Soyuz" spacecraft with a crew of P.R. Popovic and YU.P. Artyukhina.
Ammunition specially designed, dulcitol visible inside the sleeves with bullets
For several reasons, setting the gun were not tested at the carriage. Shooting only spent 25 January 1975 g. - directly in front of the arch "Salyut-3" from orbit. After retroburns installation for ground command fired several. During the next few minutes prototype burned in the dense atmospheric layers together with a carrier.
unarmed space
The first and last test setup "Shield-1" held in 1975 g. Further development of this development has not received. By this time the project is "Shield-2" was launched, the purpose of which was to create a self-defense system based on the guided missile "space-to-space". As far as, This complex is not brought to a real test.
Over time the military to review their plans for the use of outer space and, among other things,, abandoned spacecraft weapons. Further work on the guns or missiles, satellites and stations canceled. Thereby, installation "Shield-1" / P-23m / "Buckshot" was the only one of its kind. To date, any weapons in orbit there is no. Even the guns removed from the NAZ astronauts.
On the first and last test space gun has been almost 45 years. Until now complete and accurate history of the "Shield-1" is not in the public domain, which is why it is necessary to collect the crumbs, assessing various data and filtering out some of them. It is hoped, that in the future Russian rocket and space industry and the artillery still talk about one of the most remarkable projects and answer the remaining questions. "Shield-1" project and other bold design is too interesting and important for the history, to remain in oblivion.
/Kirill Ryabov, topwar.ru/
