The names of Russian weapons and interesting facts

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, pomegranates appeared in the French army, which were named after the popular fruit. Indeed, the ammunition resembled it in shape, and the fragments looked like flying seeds. By a similar principle, the nickname got its nickname. The famous bazooka (a popular rocket launcher from the Second World War) was named after a musical instrument. Most often, the nicknames of technology and various types of weapons were given on the principle of convincing the enemy of aggressiveness and lethality. Everyone knows the German tanks "Tiger" and "Panther".

Features of the names of Russian weapons

In Russia, the principle of bullying is somewhat veiled and not always used. Many domestic engineers went the other way. They relied on wit, flirty and originality. Sometimes there is an opinion that the nicknames of self-propelled guns, mortars, MANPADS and even aircraft - this is some kind of mockery of a potential 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, the Leclerc in France, the Merkava war chariot in the Israeli army, and the Abrams for the Americans. As you can see, the names relate to animals or famous generals. In our army, the model of the T-72B2 tank is referred to only as the “Slingshot”. Another example in the field of artillery. In the United States, a self-propelled gun mount is called "Paladin", the British - "Archer". Quite understandable and logical nicknames. If you pay attention to domestic counterparts, here is a flower bed: “Peonies”, “Acacia”, “Tulips”, “Carnations”, “Hyacinths”. It is unlikely that at least one potential adversary will like such a bouquet.

Read more about the "colors"

In the cool names of Russian weapons, the garden-berry theme occupies one of the leading places. Regarding missiles: in the American army anti-tank units are called "Club", "Dragon", as if everything is clear. Russian approach: “Baby” - 9M-14M rocket, “Chrysanthemum” - 9M123. ATGM “Metis” is equipped with no less original (by name) night vision sight “Mulat”. Part of the "garden" representatives of the Russian army are given below:

• "Hyacinth" - a self-propelled gun with a caliber of 152 mm, the second nickname, more reflecting the essence - "Genocide".
• Self-propelled guns "Peony" - equipped with a 203-mm gun.
• “Carnation" - self-propelled guns 2S1.
• "Tulip" is a self-propelled mortar with a caliber of 240 mm.
• "Acacia" - self-propelled guns type 2S3.
• “Bouquet” - handcuffs used by escorts for the simultaneous escort of five people.

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

About sentimentality

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

The following is a list of romantic and slightly funny names for Russian weapons and military equipment:

• "Smile" is a radio direction finding meteorological complex.
• "Weasel" - a missile with a chemical warhead caliber 240 mm.
• “Ornamentation” is a 122-mm cartridge cluster projectile type 9M-22K.
• "Excitement" is a thermobaric warhead.
• "Naughty" - a military vehicle UAZ-3150.
• "Visit" - body armor.
• "Hello" - rubber ammunition caliber 23 mm.
• “Positive” is a ship radar station.
• Multiple Ecstasy stun grenade.
• "Tenderness" - handcuffs.
• 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 they could not have done without them in the Russian army, completely different nicknames, more honest, are of great interest. Further down the list:

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

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

Health

Animals and flowers in the names of Russian weapons are far from the only topics. Military engineers defeated eternal health problems. So, in this direction the following types of weapons and equipment are presented:

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

Professions

The next topic is professions. It is not entirely clear why, but most of the items are related to journalists. Evaluate for yourself:

1. Radar station with ensuring compatibility "Subheading" (MKZ-10).
2. “Paragraph” - a missile used by the Uragan MLRS (9m-27D). It is worth noting that the profile of this 220 mm munition is an agitation direction.
3. "Gazetchik-E" - protection for radar systems.
4. Representatives of other professions continue the list. For example, "Ballerina" is an aviation automatic gun with a caliber of 30 mm.
5. "Stewardess" - a mobile complex of state recognition and secondary location (ATC).
6. Mobile soil missile system 15P-159 “Courier”, aggregating with a small-sized ICBM RCC-40.

Other names

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

• Hand-held flamethrower RPO-2 "Prize".
• "Semifinal" - non-contact type fuse (9E-343).
• The original Russian nickname "Gzhel" is body armor.
• "Bukovitsa" - control and calibration equipment of electronic warfare L-183.
• "Well done" - ICBM RT-23 UTTH.
• “Solntsepek” is a heavy TOS1M flamethrower system.
• “Spark” - a ship’s grenade launcher with seven barrels of 55 mm caliber.
• "Baby" - 9K-11 missile.
• "Vampire" - a manual anti-tank grenade launcher.
• Cactus is a ground-based ballistic missile.
• “Irony” is an optical-electronic surveillance system.
• "Pinocchio" - TOS-1.

Logical decoding 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 the project letters (S-200A - "Angara", 200D - "Dubna", 200V - "Vega" and so on).
2. Taking into account the abbreviations displayed (the new weapon of ground artillery is Nona, the Kovrov gunsmiths of the Degtyarevs are called Kord).
3. In connection with research and development (for example, “Judge”, “Rook”).
4. Serial features associated with natural disasters - varieties of MLRS ("Tornado", "City", "Hurricane").
5. Representatives of self-propelled guns belong to the flower line ("Tulip", "Carnation", "Peony").
6. River direction - air defense systems ("Tunguska", "Dvina", "Neva", "Shilka").
7. Means of camouflage and jamming ("Kikimora", "Moshkara", "Goblin").
8. Given the clearly manifested action ("Hoarfrost", "Sun").
9. Dynamic type protection (“Contact”).
10. Soldier humor - “Pinocchio” (TOS), “Foundling” (grenade launcher), “Excitement” (infantry shoulder blade), “Tenderness” (handcuffs).
11. In honor of the designers or manufacturers - “Vladimir” (T-90 tank), “Antei” (SAM).

The name of Russian weapons according to NATO classification

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

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

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

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

Transport aircraft were designated with the letter “C”. Accordingly, nicknames began on her: Careless (nonchalant), Candid (sincere). This feature is due to the fact that the names were given in alphabetical order.

Other "Western" nicknames

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

Among them are many planes and helicopters:

• Flanker (flanking) - from Su-27 to Su-35.
• Fullback (quarterback 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 (Ravager) - Mi-28.
• Hoodlom (bully) - Mi-26.

A potential adversary should be given credit: most of the items are selected quite skillfully and accurately. But many experts are puzzling why the Americans called the multifunctional armored attack aircraft Su-25 Frogfoot (frog foot)?