Power and plasma weapons. Perspective weapons development

If the first counter on the street to ask about what a plasma weapon is, not everyone will answer. Although fans of science fiction films probably know what it is and what it eats. Nevertheless, it can be said that in the near future, mankind will come to the conclusion that such weapons will be used by the regular army, fleet and even aviation, although now it is difficult to imagine for many reasons. Let's talk about the future development of weapons.

General information and concepts

Despite the fact that we are accustomed to hearing about energy and plasma weapons from films, the first prototypes and tests have been conducted for several decades. Another thing is that the authorities are trying to keep such information secret. This, in principle, is not surprising, because the arms race, in fact, continues, and who will succeed, he will have the advantage. In Russia, for example, since 1972 the development of a combat laser has been under way. He was successfully tested. Today it is a cannon that can hit air targets, such as ballistic missiles, airplanes, satellites, etc. In particular, Khimpromavtomatika is engaged in similar developments. It is currently planned to build the world's largest laser, which will be located in the city of Sarov. Its dimensions will be quite impressive, it is about two football fields. At the same time, there are no analogues either in Europe or in Asia. In general, plasma weapons are very promising against the background of firearms. But it will develop and improve over a period of several decades.

Modern weapons and developments

It is much better to consider several specific projects, rather than talking about what else is not there. For example, howitzers remain all as popular as they were 50 years ago. That's why many countries are constantly improving this technique. A vivid example of this is Panzerhaubitze. This artillery installation is perfect. This gun is 8 meters long, ammunition - 52 rounds. This howitzer allows you to destroy a heavily armored target with one volley and immediately leave your position. Surprising and the rate of this fighting machine, which is 1 shot in 3 seconds. However, then the pace is significantly reduced to a shot in 8 seconds due to the heating of the barrel. Today, this is the best howitzer caliber 155 mm, shooting at 30 km or more. Specially for this artillery a projectile with improved damaging abilities was developed. We can safely say that this is a deadly modern weapon, which is designed to destroy the enemy from one volley. Well, now we return to our topic.

Weapons of the future and all about it

Today, almost no one doubts that sooner or later there will be a Third World War. According to many experts, they will be fighting there already with lasers and energy weapons. Most of the developments in such weapons are in the UK and the United States. So, some tests have already passed, and, as practice has shown, energy weapons (many called impulse weapons) are excellent at coping with enemy communications and air defense installations.

Microwave high-energy weapons began to develop in 1990. The impulses sent to the electric object must disable it for a time, and in priority, forever. In fact, such weapons do not harm a person. It is worth noting that impulses are able to hit fortified objects, as well as bunkers located under the ground.

Lasers already working

If energy weapons are easier to find today in any project, then lasers are already installed on some equipment. In particular, the US is interested in such developments. One of the guns was successfully tested and was installed on board the aircraft. From the air managed to hit a car standing on the ground. In this case, the beam guidance system worked without deviations. The company "Boeing", which makes such a dangerous weapon, previously conducted tests of lasers. It was back in 2010, in the laboratory. Even then it became clear that the use of laser guns would save many soldiers.

Well, what about Russia, you ask? Despite the fact that any information about the development of laser and power weapons is practically non-existent, not everything is so bad. We can say that we have a dangerous weapon, and it is really deadly. Let's take at least a tank of a new generation of "Armata", which has no analogues in the whole world. We will soon have electronic pilots, smart missiles, all these are not developments, but reality, as will be discussed below.

Latest weapon development

If now the armament of the Russian army is equipped with weapons of the third and fourth generations, then soon it is planned to install the 5th generation systems. It is for this simple reason that it is too early to speak about the 6th generation. But if you look into the near future, say, in 2016, then Russia has succeeded, and it has something to brag about. First of all, this plane is the 5th generation T-50, which is scheduled to be delivered in 2016. It is made using stealth technology, that is, it will be difficult to determine by radar. There will also be a fundamentally new avionics, integrated with the electronic pilot. Now all this seems unimaginable, but similar systems have already been tested and are working.

But this is not all the possibilities of the T-50. He can develop supersonic speed without afterburner, and also is equipped with a complex of electronic warfare called "Himalayas". Today, only the US Air Force has in service fighter aircraft of the 5th generation, but developments are being conducted in China and Russia. Such units are very expensive, but at the same time the capabilities of such aircraft are very large.

Unmanned Future Vehicles

Today, more and more often think about how to make a full-fledged aircraft, but without a crew. Until now, UAV is not such, however modern developments indicate that this is a serious and effective technique. The main tasks facing the designers are to install powerful weapons and to make it possible to save the wounded or hostages. U.S. is actively developing drones. Similar drones will still be auxiliary on the battlefield, but, despite this, extremely useful. They will be engaged in transporting goods, transporting the wounded, conducting reconnaissance and destroying non-armored targets. The Americans plan to create drones, which will be able to help in any situation, regardless of weather conditions and conditions. In addition, it is important to conduct electronic warfare. Therefore, it is entirely possible that such a new secret weapon will be equipped with impulse guns.

Armata combat platform

As noted above, we are not all that bad. Russia leads the manufacture of military platforms "Armata", which belong to the 5th generation. Until recently, it was a mystery that a tank would appear on the parade on the Victory Day. Now we know that this is a tank of "Armata", which has no analogues in the whole world. Americans after what they saw immediately thought about upgrading their technology, which, in fact, is not surprising. The crew of the tank is located in an isolated capsule, which protects people from fire and debris. Nevertheless, armor "Armata" is able to withstand the direct hit of any existing or prospective weapons. The tank itself is armed with a 125-mm cannon that shoots armor-piercing and sub-caliber projectiles. The control of the machine is digital, and the instrument is remote. It is very convenient, safe and effective.

Formidable "Prometheus" C-500

The fifth-generation anti-aircraft missile systems are already in place in Russia. These are the S-500 "Prometheus" complexes. This is an impressive weapon, which is also multifunctional. The S-500 is capable of striking inter-ballistic missiles in space. Prometheus, without a doubt, is a very promising weapon. Ground-to-air missiles can hit a target at an altitude of 3.5 thousand kilometers, flying at a speed of 5 kilometers per minute. Another feature of Prometheus that surprises about 10 supersonic missiles at a distance of 600 kilometers is also surprising. Despite the fact that the S-500 is already in the Russian Federation, they are not in service. It is planned to put their army in 2016. In the opinion of many experts, the C-500 alone is not capable of changing the course of the battle, but in combination with other defensive weapons, Prometheus will become a reliable barrier protecting the air borders of our country.

Hypersonic is a reality

In fact, it's difficult to say something about what the modern weapons of the United States have. Obviously, the most interesting remains a secret. Nevertheless, more recently it became known that the Americans are developing and testing the X-51A Waverider. These are hypersonic missiles that are able to develop a speed of about 6.5-7.5 thousand km / h. The first tests did not bring any results. But in 2013 the missile flew about 500 km in 6 minutes. In the end, it was possible to develop a speed of about 5 thousand km / h. Russia, too, conducts similar work, but we have an earlier stage. Well, now let's go further.

Precision weapons and robotics

Of course, prospective weapons development is conducted daily. But special attention should be paid to robotics, as more is being said about this. How convenient it is to replace a soldier with a robot, who would make a decision more quickly, was not mistaken and fired more accurately. But it's still on the brink of fantasy. Nevertheless, the Russian SAR-400 will soon be indispensable on the battlefield. He can neutralize bombs, perform the functions of a repairman and scout. There are no analogues in the world to him.

Conclusion

Here we are with you and talked about weapons of the near future and modernity. Of course, plasma weapons are unlikely to be used, however, its development is under way. In particular, there are many limitations related to the properties of plasma, which is not as durable as we would like. Yet plasma weapons will appear, but it is unknown when. The same applies to energy weapons. But all this in the near future will not be able to replace the powerful guns of tanks and howitzers that shoot shells. The same applies to combat aircraft, bombers and other military equipment. Of course, it is difficult to say what will happen tomorrow, that there is a discussion about the appearance of plasma torches. In addition, it is now difficult to imagine how exactly and under what conditions the plasma for ammunition will be produced. The same applies to the cost of the substance.