Names of Russian weapons and interesting facts

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:42

The tradition of naming Russian weapons by association with certain objects, sensations or objects is far from new. This practice took place as early as the 16th century. At that time, grenades appeared in the French army, which were so named after a popular fruit. Indeed, the ammunition resembled it in shape, and the fragments looked like flying seeds. By a similar principle, the “lemon” received its nickname. The famous bazooka (a popular World War II grenade launcher) was named after a musical instrument. Most often, the nicknames of equipment and different types of weapons were given on the principle of persuading the enemy in aggressiveness and lethality. Everyone knows the German tanks "Tiger" and "Panther".

Features of the names of Russian weapons

In Russia, the principle of intimidation is somewhat veiled and not always used. Many domestic engineers have gone the other way. They relied on wit, flirtatiousness and originality. Sometimes the opinion arises that the nicknames of self-propelled guns, mortars, MANPADS and even aircraft are some kind of mockery oflikely enemy. It is unlikely that anyone would be surprised if suddenly developers and designers at one time took an active part in KVN.

For comparison: the Germans have the Leopard tank, France has the Leclerc, the Israeli army has the Merkava chariot, the Americans have the Abrams. As you can see, the names refer to animals or famous generals. In our army, the model of the T-72B2 tank is referred to only as the "Slingshot". Another example is in the field of artillery. In the US, a self-propelled gun mount is called "Paladin", among the British - "Archer". Quite understandable and logical nicknames. If you pay attention to domestic counterparts, there is very often a flower bed: "Peonies", "Acacias", "Tulips", "Carnations", "Hyacinths". It is unlikely that at least one potential adversary will like such a bouquet.

More about "flowers"

In the cool names of Russian weapons, gardening and berries are one of the leading places. Regarding missiles: in the American army, anti-tank units are called "Cudgel", "Dragon", as if everything is clear. Russian approach: "Malyutka" - 9M-14M missile, "Chrysanthemum" - 9M123. ATGM "Metis" is equipped with a no less original (by name) night vision sight "Mulat". Some of the "garden" representatives of the Russian army are shown below:

• "Hyacinth" - a self-propelled gun with a caliber of 152 mm, the second nickname, more reflective of the essence - "Genocide".
• SAU "Peony" - equipped with a 203 mm cannon.
• "Gvozdika" - self-propelled guns 2С1.
• "Tulip" - self-propelled mortar caliber 240 mm.
• "Acacia" - self-propelled guns of type 2С3.
• "Bouquet" - handcuffs used by escorts to accompany five people at the same time.

The above list of names of Russian weapons is constantly updated, which cannot but rejoice compatriots and make enemies shudder once again.

On sentimentality

Many other types of domestic military equipment are no less original and sometimes cause a smile until you find out the characteristics and capabilities of the product. Sentimentality is also not alien to our military engineers.

Below is a list of romantic and slightly funny names of Russian weapons and military equipment:

• "Smile" - radio direction finding meteorological complex.
• "Weasel" - a rocket with a chemical warhead caliber 240 mm.
• "Decoration" - 122-mm cluster rocket projectile type 9M-22K.
• The Excitement is a thermobaric warhead.
• "Naughty" - UAZ-3150 military vehicle.
• "Visit" - body armor.
• "Hello" - 23 mm rubber ammunition.
• Pozitiv is a shipborne radar station.
• Multiple Ecstasy Stun Grenade.
• "Tenderness" - handcuffs.
• Variant infantry shovel-grenade launcher.

Animal world

This topic is also relevant in the names of Russian weapons. Tigers, cheetahs and other representatives of predatory fauna do not play a leading role here. Although the Russian army could not do without them, moreinterest is caused by completely different nicknames, more honest. Next on the list:

1. Since there are a lot of squirrels in the domestic open spaces, the developers could not forget this beast. A complex is named after him, which includes a 140 mm M-14S rocket projectile, a 4TUD military radio station, and an RM-207A target ammunition.
2. "Raccoon" - a torpedo with a homing system caliber 533 mm (SET-65).
3. "Canary" is a 6S-1 automatic grenade-launcher system with the possibility of silent firing.
4. "Boar" - multifunctional missile system 96M-6M.
5. "Grasshopper" - robotic mobile station MRK-2.
6. "Kozlik" - an experienced TKB automatic grenade launcher.
7. "Woodpecker" - grenade-pistol.
8. "White Swan" - Tu-160 bomber.

In addition, among the names of Russian weapons associated with animals, there are "Shrimp" (ground specialized radio receiver R-880M) and "Hummingbird" (aircraft anti-submarine torpedo with a caliber of 432 mm). Among the representatives of foreign fauna there is also a "Panda" (aiming radar system for Su-27 fighters). Among the most famous insects is the “Fly”, an anti-tank 64mm ammunition for RPG-18 grenade launchers, the photo of which is presented below. It is logical that such a gathering of animals crowns the Zoo artillery reconnaissance and control complex (1L-219).

He alth

Animals and flowers in the names of Russian weapons are far from the only topics. militaryengineers beat the age-old he alth problems. So, in this direction, the following types of weapons and equipment are presented:

• "Tonus" - software and hardware station type 65S941.
• "Diagnosis" - heavy transport complex R-410M.
• "Travmatizm" - a special medical vehicle for the Airborne Forces (BMM-1D).
• "Violent" - 80A configuration armored personnel carrier.
• "Fool" - Soviet atomic bomb RDS-7.

Professions

The next topic is professions. It is not entirely clear why, but most of the names correspond to journalists. Rate it yourself:

1. Sub title Compatibility Radar (MKZ-10).
2. "Paragraph" - a rocket used by the Uragan MLRS (9m-27D). It is worth noting that the profile of this 220 mm ammunition is a campaign direction.
3. "Newsman-E" - protection for radar systems.
4. Representatives of other professions continue the list. For example, "Ballerina" is a 30 mm aircraft automatic gun.
5. "Stewardess" - a mobile complex of state identification and secondary location (ATC).
6. Mobile ground missile system 15P-159 "Courier", aggregating with small ICBM RSS-40.

Other items

There are several more interesting and funny names of Russian weapons that are difficult to group into a single group. Among them:

• RPO-2 "Priz" manual flamethrower.
• "Semi-final" - proximity fuse (9E-343).
• Originally Russiannickname "Gzhel" - body armor.
• "Bukovitsa" - EW L-183 test equipment.
• "Well done" - ICBM RT-23 UTTH.
• "Solntsepek" - heavy flamethrower system TOS1M.
• "Spark" - a ship's grenade launcher with seven barrels of 55 mm caliber.
• "Baby" - rocket 9K-11.
• "Vampire" - hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher.
• Cactus is a ground-based ballistic missile.
• "Irony" - optoelectronic surveillance system.
• "Pinocchio" - TOS-1.

Logical interpretation of these terms

If we take the names of Russian weapons and military equipment seriously, then all of these names are not without a logical chain. They are given not just from the "ceiling", but in connection with established traditions.

The following trends are visible:

1. According to project letters (S-200A - Angara, 200D - Dubna, 200V - Vega, and so on).
2. Taking into account the displayed abbreviations (new ground artillery weapon - "Nona", Kovrov gunsmiths from Degtyarevtsy - "Kord").
3. In connection with research and development (for example, Judge, Rook).
4. Serial features associated with natural phenomena - varieties of MLRS ("Tornado", "Hail", "Hurricane").
5. The flower line includes representatives of SAU ("Tulip", "Carnation", "Peony").
6. River direction - air defense systems ("Tunguska","Dvina", "Neva", "Shilka").
7. Means of camouflage and radio interference ("Kikimora", "Moshkara", "Goblin").
8. Taking into account the brightly manifested action ("Hoarfrost", "Sunshine").
9. Dynamic type protection ("Contact").
10. Soldier's humor - "Pinocchio" (TOS), "Foundling" (underbarrel grenade launcher), "Excitement" (infantry shovel), "Tenderness" (handcuffs).
11. In honor of designers or manufacturers - "Vladimir" (T-90 tank), "Antey" (SAM).

Name of Russian weapons according to NATO classification

The purpose of a certain object is indicated by the initial letter. For example: F (fighters), S (surface-to-surface missiles), SS (ballistic missiles). It is worth noting that names with two syllables indicate the reactive nature of the action, and with one - piston parameters. If any system is not provided for in the adopted table, they come up with a new turkey or put it in the “M” category (for military aircraft).

In the USSR and Russia, military aviation did not receive official second names. For example, the American F-15 fighter could, according to the documentation, be indicated as "Eagle" (Eagle). The Russian MiG-29 was simultaneously and unofficially called "Grach". Usually, Soviet pilots did not use NATO terms, since they were either unknown, or it was more common to hear the unofficial nickname of the combat vehicle.

Often the names of Russian weapons in Western terminology sounded offensive,especially during the Cold War. For example:

• MiG-15 was called differently - Falcon ("Falcon"), Fagot (bundle of firewood or homosexual).
• MiG-29 - Fulcrum (fulcrum).
• Tu-95 - Bear (bear).
• Tu-22M - Backfire (return or return fire).

Transport aircraft were designated with the letter "C". Accordingly, the nicknames began with her: Careless (careless), Candid (sincere). This feature is due to the fact that the names were given alphabetically.

Other "Western" nicknames

With the domestic "nicknames" of our weapons sorted out. The names that NATO refers to Russian military equipment usually correspond to the initial letter denoting a certain class of ground, surface, underwater or flying equipment. Below are a few Western nicknames.

There are a lot of planes and helicopters among them:

• Flanker (flanking) - from Su-27 to Su-35.
• Fullback (defender in football) – Su-34.
• Foxhound (foxhound) - MiG-31.
• Blinder (blinding) - Tu-22.
• Mitten (mitten) - Yak-130.
• Mainstay (base) – A-50.
• Midas (in honor of King Midas) - IL-78.
• Condor (condor) - An-124.
• Cub (puppy) – An-12.
• Hind (doe) – Mi-24.
• Havoc (Devastator) - Mi-28.
• Hoodlom (hooligan) - Mi-26.

A potential adversary should be given credit: most of the names are chosen quite skillfully and accurately. But many experts puzzle over why multifunctionalAmericans nicknamed the Su-25 armored attack aircraft Frogfoot (frog's foot)?

Result

There is a lot of creative and original approach in the names of weapons, invented by domestic military engineers. Often the nicknames are a bit flirtatious or are directly related to the carrier of the threat. At the same time, some experts believe that such high-profile and unusual names are a kind of marketing ploy.