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Artillery - The God of War!
Existence of indigenous Artillery is a distinctive feature of strong, independent, industrially developed states,
and Russia was always among them.
Russian Artillery has rich traditions since many centuries ago.
Talent of home-breed gunsmiths, big scientific and practical experience of scientists and designers
allowed our Artillery to reach leading positions in the World and to gain an immortal fame on battlefield.
This fame was earned thanks to a titanesque work of hundred of thousands of people, who dedicated their lives to Artillery.
We rightfully can be proud for existence of specialized companies in Russia for development and production of Artillery systems and ammunitions.
This film is a story about one of them - the Scientific Research Machine-building Institute - a lead enterprise of Russian Military Industrial Complex.
Dedicated to the Scientific Research Machinery-building Institute (NIMI)
In November of 1932, the Soviet Government took a decision to fund a Scientific Research Shell Institute on the base of Plant N75.
History of existing of the first in the country Institute for development and introduction to mass production of artillery rounds starts from that moment.
The just established company engaged right away to works for modernization of existing ammunition and creation of new types of ammo for artillery weapon systems.
In 1936, the NISI was renamed to the Scientific Research Institute N24.
And later, in 1961, it was renamed again to Scientific Research Machinery-building Institute. (NIMI)
The NII-24 was essentially the only Institute in the country to the end of 30s,
responsible for design of all types of shells and mortar rounds for calibers from 20 to 406mm
and for improvement of technologies of their production at serial production plants.
To the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, 47 new types of rounds for Artillery systems had been introduced to service and mastered in production
and thus the foundation for ammunition development school was created.
In harsh years of the war, specialists of the Institute have designed first shaped-charge rounds, which were penetrating armor twice thick than their caliber.
Together with shaped-charge rounds, another 24 new types of anti-tank armor-piercing rounds were developed in relatively short period of time,
initially those were spool type rounds and then sub-caliber rounds with a separating pot.
In years of the Great Patriotic War, NII 24 performed hundreds of design and technological projects,
thanks to which more than 100 types of rounds had been introduced to the arsenal of the Army and the Navy.
Companies of this industry produced 333 millions of rounds.
Scientific and technological reserve created during war and the first after-war years
allowed to introduce for service an entire row of new ammunition types
for Artillery weapon systems of the Ground Forces and the Navy, in period from 1948 to 1951.
In 1956, the NII 24 was officially assigned for full scale development of ammunition for tanks, field and naval artillery.
The Institute became a leading developer of artillery ammunition.
DEVELOPMENT OF AMMUNITIONS FOR SMOOTHBORE ARTILLERY OF GROUND FORCES
Already since 1952, the Institute launched theoretical and experimental works for development of fin-stabilized sub-caliber rounds
for smoothbore anti-aircraft artillery systems.
Initiated projects haven't received further development for several reasons.
However, they were found useful for development of ammunition for new anti-tank smoothbore 100mm cannon T-12 "Rapira",
which was introduced for service with the Soviet Army in 1960.
And it opened new era in development of anti-tank artillery and tank-based artillery weapon systems.
The set of fixed rounds designed by Institute's specialists for T-12 cannon, including fin-stabilized sub-caliber and HEAT warheads,
provided an abrupt increase of armor penetration and ranges for target's destruction.
Armor-piercing Fin-stabilized sub-caliber round was exceeding rounds for rifled artillery systems by more than 1.5 times in range of direct fire,
and more than twice in armor penetration.
The experience gained during development of T-12 cannon and its ammunition allowed creation of T-62 tank with a 115mm smoothbore gun in 1961.
Ammunition allowance of fixed rounds for T-62 concluded of rounds with AP sub-caliber, HEAT and HE-FRAG warheads.
AP rounds of T-62 had 1.6 longer range of direct fire, and had 30% better armor-penetration compared to the best sub-caliber rounds for rifled guns.
HEAT rounds were exceeding by more than twice armor penetration capability of all HEAT rounds for rifled systems.
Further development of tank armament was directly related with increase of rate of fire.
Ammunition allowance of new 115 rounds with separately loaded propellant charge was developed in short period of time by the Institute,
for a smoothbore gun of new T-64 tank, introduced into service in 1966, and equipped with autoloading mechanism,
which allowed increase of rate of fire from 5 to 10 rounds per minute.
The rounds were comprised of main propellant having a partially combustible casing and projectiles identical to projectiles for T-62's gun.
Appearance of T-64 caused all future tank and anti-tank projects of Western countries to crash,
and it also determined tendencies of further evolution of World-wide tank building industry for several decades ahead.
The next step was introduction into service of T-72 tank, armed with a powerful smoothbore 125mm gun and set of ammunition for it.
Modernized variants of this gun are installed in all versions of T-80, T-90 tanks,
in a self-propelled anti-tank gun Sprut-SD and its towed version - Sprut-B.
MT-12 and new set of ammunition of increased power came to replace T-12 in 1971.
Rounds with qualitatively new properties were created in 80s for 125mm tank smoothbore gun,
featuring significantly increased effective range of fire and armor penetration.
A totally new design of leading device was implemented in AP sub-caliber rounds, which allowed use of longer body.
Details made of special high-strength metals and heavy alloys were used. Structure of armor penetrator was also altered.
Original design solutions and materials were implemented in HEAT rounds in order to overcome multi-layer armor and Reactive Armor.
DEVELOPMENT OF AMMUNITION FOR FIELD ARTILLERY OF GROUND FORCES
Rapid development of missile technologies and nuclear weapons in the middle of the 20th century
caused cuts in financing for development of new artillery weapon systems.
Despite that the Institute continued modernization of existing rounds and creating of new ammunition for cannons, howitzers and guns,
installed on tanks and self-propelled guns serving with the Soviet Army in after-war period.
The analysis of experience of local wars in South-East Asia and Middle East in 60s-70s
confirmed the importance of conventional weapon systems, necessity of powerful artillery support for Ground Troops,
and presented new requirements for accuracy, range and destructive power of existing artillery systems and regular ammunition.
In early 70s, the Institute's specialists delivered ammunition for arsenal of new long-range 152mm and 203mm caliber artillery systems - "Giatsint" and "Pion".
At the same time, the Institute had developed an entire family of rocket-assisted artillery and mortar rounds with calibers 122, 152, 203 and 240mm,
in order to increase range of fire of artillery systems and mortars.
This way a 240mm rocket-assisted mortar round with a HE-FRAG, cluster and incendiary warheads for a self-propelled mortar "Tulpan",
was providing 20% longer range of fire, while retaining of effectiveness for target destruction.
In the mid-70s, the Institute's specialists delivered rounds with ready killing elements for service;
while in early-80s they delivered cluster rounds for artillery and mortar systems of 152, 203 and 240mm caliber.
One of directions for increase of artillery systems' effectiveness was a development of high-precision munitions.
The specialists of the Institute delivered a 240mm self-correcting mortar round "Smelchak" in 1982,
while in 1985, they delivered a 152mm self-correcting round "Santimetr".
Reliability and high accuracy of these rounds were confirmed during combat operations in Afghanistan.
Creation of rounds for a towed 152mm howitzer "Msta-B" and its self-propelled variant "Msta-S" became a new phase in the Institute's history.
HE-FRAG round of increased range with a bottom gas generator, cluster round with HE-FRAG and HEAT combat elements,
and a jamming round, providing an effective radio jamming within tactical depth of the enemy were developed for the new howitzer.
DEVELOPMENT OF AMMUNITION FOR NAVAL ARTILLERY
There were no automatic cannons with caliber higher than 57mm in service of the Soviet Navy up to early-60s.
New designed ships needed a new powerful multi-role autocannon able to hit naval, coastal and aerial targets.
The development of 76mm twin-barrel automatic artillery system AK-726 was finished in 1964.
The ammunition allowance developed by the Institute's specialists for AK-726
consisted of rounds with HE-FRAG, drill, and later with anti-aircraft round equipped with a radio fuse.
Trials of this artillery system were passing on the first missile cruiser "Grozny" - the pride of the Soviet Navy.
After being accepted for service, the AK-726 became one of the most wide-spread artillery systems of the Soviet ships.
In 1979, a 76mm automatic artillery system AK-176 was accepted for service and it was standardized with AK-726 for use of the same ammunition.
Reduced weight and dimension properties allowed installation of AK-176 both on medium and on small speed boats.
In 1978, an 100mm automatic artillery system AK-100 was accepted for service with Navy ships.
This weapon system was installed on the heavy missile cruiser "Admiral Ushakov",
big anti-submarine ships of Project 1155, and coast guard ships of Projects 1154 and 1135.
Allowance of ammunition of this weapon system was comprised of HE-FRAG rounds, anti-aircraft rounds with remote and radio fuse,
and auxiliary rounds and it was standardized with a new 100mm automatic artillery system A-190,
developed for arming ships of corvette and frigate class of the last generation.
Till 1987, the Institute specialists have developed ammunition allowance for self-propelled gun A-222 "Bereg" (a coast)
and for 130mm twin-gun automatic artillery system AK-130, which were arming the nuclear missile cruiser "Pyotr Velikiy" (Peter the Great),
missile cruisers of Project 1164,
destroyers of Project 956,
the big anti-submarine ship "Admiral Chabanenko".
Ammunition allowance for this gun includes a HEAT round, an anti-aircraft round with a remote radio-fuse and auxiliary rounds.
High reliability of 130mm rounds combined with increased speed on quite complex feeding tracks of automatic loading
was achieved thanks to throughout design of all of its elements and thanks to technology of packing in cases.
DEVELOPMENT OF WARHEADS FOR SAMs, ATGMs AND TBMs
HE-FRAG combat elements were developed in 60s-70s for Surface-to-Air Missile systems KUB (a cube),
OSA and also an entire specter of warheads for missiles of short range systems Strela (an arrow), Strela-2 and Strela-3.
In 1959, an active work was deployed in the Institute for creation of shaped charge warhead for anti-tank guided missile of IT-1 "Drakon" system (a dragon).
In following years, shaped charge warheads for anti-tank systems "***" (a bassoon), "Konkurs" (a competition),
"Shturm-S" and "Shturm-V" were designed in the Institute.
Gained experience allowed the Institute's specialists to create shaped charge warheads for the first in the World system of guided weapons "Bastion" for T-55 tank,
"Sheksna" for T-62 tank, "Reflex" for T-80 and T-90 tanks, "Svir" for T-72 tank and anti-tank guns Sprut-SD and Sprut-B,
"Kastet" for an anti-tank gun MT-12.
In the second half of 80s, works have started in the Institute for design of tandem shaped charges of the 4th generation
for tank equipped and anti-tank guided missiles "Invar", "Kan",
combat warheads for missiles of anti-tank systems "Metis-M", "Konkurs-M", "Vikhr" and "Vikhr-M".
New task was assigned to the Institute in 1961; development of warheads for Tactical and Operational-Tactical Missiles (TBM).
Fundamentally new ammunition designs, which hadn't nothing like it both in domestic and foreign arsenals,
were created during development of HE and cluster fragmentation warhead for Tactical Ballistic Missile Luna-M.
Later these solutions were used for development of HE and cluster warheads for Tactical Ballistic Missiles of next generation "Tochka" and "Tochka-U"
and they determined the NIMI as lead developer of this type of weapon systems.
For the first time a missile system was designed for accomplishment of combat tasks thanks to optimization of its warheads' properties.
Development of warheads for highly-precise Tactical Ballistic Missile system "OKA" became a continuation of those works.
That TBM was far ahead of its time and there was nothing like it around the World.
DEVELOPMENT OF UNDERWATER MISSILE "SHKVAL"
In 1960, the specialists of the Institute started working on another one fundamentally new missile area.
Development of fast-moving underwater missile "Shkval".
One of the most difficult theoretical and applied tasks had been solved during development of the missile,
like ensuring of super-speed movement of the missile in water element, thanks to use of underwater ramjet working on solid, hydro-reactive fuel
and creation of conditions of missile's movement inside a gas cavern.
New departments were established and two test facilities on Issyk Kul and Ladoga lakes were equipped for accomplishment of this job.
In 1969, after successful results achieved in multiple full-scale model naval trials,
all works on "Shkval" project were passed to a specially founded Scientific Research Institute of Applied Hydro-Mechanics, known today as NPO "Region".
Anti-submarine system "Shkval" with an underwater fast-moving missile,
having an unsurpassed cruising speed of 100m/s, was introduced into arsenal of the Navy in 1977.
EVOLUTION OF RESEARCH, LABORATORY-TESTING, TECHNOLOGICAL AND PRODUCTION BASE
Active development of new technological areas and foundation of unique laboratory-stand base started in the Institute,
since projects for development of ammunition for smoothbore artillery, for providing scientific, researching and testing procedures.
Three explosion stands were built for testing of ammunitions with explosive warheads and for researches of explosions' physics.
Unique recording equipment allows visualization of fast passing procedures of shaped charge explosion,
dispersion of fragmentation cases of rounds and the process of detonation of explosive materials.
Powder powered launching devices have been included in the set of ballistic stands.
They provide ability to research of ballistic and penetrating properties,
in conditions of their interaction with elements of Explosive Reactive Armor and composite obstacles, while firing scaled model rounds.
High pressure impulse device provided simulation of collision and thermal forces of propellant's burning materials on different rounds' elements.
Impulse wind tunnel with a chemical heating of the air allowed simulation of effect of high-property supersonic air flow running on a round in flight.
Research of effect of angular momentum on durability and operability of tested products and their elements was conducted on high-speed rotation stand.
Stands of dynamic simulation were allowing to evaluate an operability and durability of round's elements during powder throwing.
Semirealistic simulation of guidance systems of self-correcting rounds
and dynamic properties of impulse correction engines were conducted on a specially designed stand.
Durability tests were passing both, on a standard equipment and on several original stands of their own design.
Base for field trials was constantly modernizing.
Unique rail stand with an accelerating device was built with a purpose to research overloads effects on a round.
A lot of work was carried out by technologists of the Institute.
Unique technology was developed for manufacturing of armor-piercing penetrators including pressing of powder mixture of hard alloys,
sintering of performs in high-temperature ovens, followed by a fluid extrusion.
Laser technologies found their application for manufacturing of rounds' bodies with predetermined properties of shattering to fragments.
Materials research department was engaged to creation of high-strength steels, light and hard alloys, various plastics,
ceramic and composite materials, development of unique coatings and enamels.
Experimental production facilities of the Institute provided full technological cycle of production of samples,
experimental, test and low production rate batches of rounds with calibers up to 203mm.
The Scientific Research Machinery-building Institute is a leading scientific-production center today,
for development and introduction into production of artillery rounds for tanks, field artillery and Navy artillery.
A lot of work gets carried out in the Institute within frames of execution of State's Defense Orders,
for modernization of rounds for existing regular artillery systems
and for creation of fundamentally new rounds, including the latest achievements of science.
There is a constant research for new solutions and approaches.
Modern systems for automatic designing and mathematic simulations are widely used in development process.
Testing of new technological solutions gets carried out on lab-stand equipment.
Research is going on for new promising materials and new technological procedures.
Qualification of the personnel is constantly rising.
Experience and knowledge of veterans and instructors of the company pass to young specialists.
Scientific base gets developed. The quality control systems and production facilities of the enterprise get modernized.
Special attention is paid to the youth. Council of young specialists was founded and it works successfully.
Profile and Staff Departments of the Institute work actively with graduates of leading universities of the country.
Social and cultural works also get performed.
The Institute's personnel participates in conferences, seminar and they represent the Institute with a honor during sport festivals.
The Institute actively participates at International arms exhibitions as a part of advertising-exhibition activities.
Serial models of rounds, which were developed by the Institute, have a demand on Arms Market.
Veterans of the company continue their active work in the Institute -
academicians and associate members of Russian Academy of Missile and Artillery Sciences, Doctors and Ph.D.,
Respected Inventors of Russia, Respected Personalities of Sciences and Technologies.
Rich traditions, powerful scientific-technological potential and decades of practical experience
will allow to the personnel of the enterprise to continue solving tasks for development of modern ammunitions
for artillery systems of the Ground Forces and the Russian Navy, in the future.
March of Artillerymen Lyrics by V. M. Gusev, Music by T. N. Khrennikov (1943 original lyrics)
In our hearts, love for our homeland keeps burning, We are going to deadly battle for the honor of beloved country.
Covered by smoke, cities are burning, The austere God of War thunders in age-old woods.
Gunners, Stalin gave the order! Gunners, Fatherland is calling us!
From hundreds of thousands of Batteries, For our mothers' tears, For our Motherland - Fire! Fire!
My dear mother, and you, my wife-my best friend, you have to know, And you, my distant home, and the entire family, you have to know,
That our steel blizzard beats and burns the foe, That we bring freedom to our homelands.
Gunners, Stalin gave the order! Gunners, Fatherland is calling us!
From hundreds of thousands of Batteries, For our mothers' tears, For our Motherland - Fire! Fire!
Our winning hour will strike and it will end our campaign, But before we go back to our homesteads,
In honor of our Leader, in honor of our Nation, Cheerful salute, in our winning hour, we shall give!
Gunners, Stalin gave the order! Gunners, Fatherland is calling us!
From hundreds of thousands of Batteries, For our mothers' tears, For our Motherland - Fire! Fire!
From hundreds of thousands of Batteries, For our mothers' tears, For our Motherland - Fire! Fire!