Post by unknowntales on Oct 29, 2006 23:30:26 GMT -5
Vulture Rocket Assualt Pack and Wings
RS-82A Short Range Rocket
Manufacturer: Gas Dynamics Laboratory,
Development: After several years of rocket research funded by varios small groups, Nikolai Tikhomirov established a research laboratory in 1925 outside Leningrad, with partial backing from Revvoensovet, the Military Scientific and Research Committee of Revolutionary Military Council. Moderate progress encouraged the Revvoensovet authorize full funding and in 1928 Tikhomirov's lab was re-named Gas-Dynamics Laboratory or GDL.
By 1942, GDL had a full range of weapons projects underway, supplying the Motherland with one of its most famous weapons, the Katyusha. GDL’s progress excited Joseph Stalin enough that he soon required a weekly report be forwarded to his desk. In 1931, the operational and logistical decisions were transferred to the Directorate of Military Inventions (UVI), a branch within the Technical headquarters of the Chief of Armaments of the Red Army.
A side project, the delivery of a Red Army soldier by rocket was proposed by Stalin during a monthly briefing. GDL began preliminary research with aerodynamically-efficient RO-82 rail launchers that carried the weight of a heavily equiped soldier. Initial tests were sucessful and Stalin ordered the project accelerated. He wanted to create a division of obedient shock troops that could be delivered instantly by rocket to attack an objective.
The propellant for delivery method chosen was smokeless powder. GDL had a long-standing relationship with the Leningrad-based Institute of Applied Chemistry. IAL developed compressed packs of smokeless powder. In 1934, GDL’s main core of personnel was transferred to the Jet Propulsion Research Institute (RNII) located in Moscow to develop the liquid-propellant engines, but on orders from Stalin, a small and secret department remained at the Petropavlovskaya Fortress on an island in the Neva River.
The Great Purge of 1937 took many victims of the scientific community, but the scientists at Tikhomirov’s secret lab in Petropavlovskaya Fortress were spared. The tests continued with the rockets but the necessity of short duration glider wings were needed to assist the soldier when landing as a parachute would dilute the effect of surprise. The wing adaptations went through a dozen versions which took three years to perfect. The modifications were attached and 24 rocket assault packs and were mandated to be produced and readied for an initial test scheduled for May 19, 1242.
Stalin arrived at the testing grounds and watched from his vehicle. The test was centered around a village on the opposite side of a river. Thirty German prisoners were placed in the small abandon village and given wooden gun replicas. Engineers ignited the shock troops, shooting into the air and arching towards the bewildered defenders. Five soldiers crashed in mid-air and were killed either upon impact with the other rocket troopers or when the hit the ground. Seven more hard landed, breaking bones and were subsequently erased from the exercise. The remaining rocket troops landed, assaulted the soldiers, killing three fourths within seconds. Stalin was ecstatic with the results and claimed the project an overwhelming success. The German defenders were lined up and immediately shot to maintain the secrecy of the project. The rocket troopers were taken to an offsite facility, debriefed for information about the equipment’s handling, and executed as well. Stalin transferred the project to a department of the NKVD; all of the materials and its scientists were moved that afternoon to Moscow.
The project was renamed Stalin’s Red Vultures because he was so enamored with the precise angle the assault troops attacked a single point objective, it reminded him of a flock of predatory birds swarming on a kill and devouring its meat.
The tactical value of the rocket troopers to assault pinpoint objectives such as bridgeheads or well defended areas was quickly realized. The rocket pack, while initially designed for single use after one assault, were collected by officers and crew, and shipped to Moscow for refilling for future use.
Stalin was satisfied by the rocket assault troopers and their phenomenal success rate. Although the causality rate is extremely high, led by numerous crashes and erratic flight control, the short flight duration of three to four seconds can drop two dozen men in a small, confined area and overwhelm its defenders. Pilots have a second to decide and adjust the flight control stick, which when incorrectly adjusted, can prove fatal for its operator. Currently, scientists under the control of NKVD are testing new flight control measures and liquid fuel alternatives.
Specifications (RS-82A)
• Body diameter: 82 mm
• Wingspan: 200 mm
• Length: 600 mm
• Weight: 6.8 kg
• Duration: 3-4 seconds
• Maximum speed: 340 m/s (1,115 ft/s)
• Range: 1300 m
RS-82A Short Range Rocket
Manufacturer: Gas Dynamics Laboratory,
Development: After several years of rocket research funded by varios small groups, Nikolai Tikhomirov established a research laboratory in 1925 outside Leningrad, with partial backing from Revvoensovet, the Military Scientific and Research Committee of Revolutionary Military Council. Moderate progress encouraged the Revvoensovet authorize full funding and in 1928 Tikhomirov's lab was re-named Gas-Dynamics Laboratory or GDL.
By 1942, GDL had a full range of weapons projects underway, supplying the Motherland with one of its most famous weapons, the Katyusha. GDL’s progress excited Joseph Stalin enough that he soon required a weekly report be forwarded to his desk. In 1931, the operational and logistical decisions were transferred to the Directorate of Military Inventions (UVI), a branch within the Technical headquarters of the Chief of Armaments of the Red Army.
A side project, the delivery of a Red Army soldier by rocket was proposed by Stalin during a monthly briefing. GDL began preliminary research with aerodynamically-efficient RO-82 rail launchers that carried the weight of a heavily equiped soldier. Initial tests were sucessful and Stalin ordered the project accelerated. He wanted to create a division of obedient shock troops that could be delivered instantly by rocket to attack an objective.
The propellant for delivery method chosen was smokeless powder. GDL had a long-standing relationship with the Leningrad-based Institute of Applied Chemistry. IAL developed compressed packs of smokeless powder. In 1934, GDL’s main core of personnel was transferred to the Jet Propulsion Research Institute (RNII) located in Moscow to develop the liquid-propellant engines, but on orders from Stalin, a small and secret department remained at the Petropavlovskaya Fortress on an island in the Neva River.
The Great Purge of 1937 took many victims of the scientific community, but the scientists at Tikhomirov’s secret lab in Petropavlovskaya Fortress were spared. The tests continued with the rockets but the necessity of short duration glider wings were needed to assist the soldier when landing as a parachute would dilute the effect of surprise. The wing adaptations went through a dozen versions which took three years to perfect. The modifications were attached and 24 rocket assault packs and were mandated to be produced and readied for an initial test scheduled for May 19, 1242.
Stalin arrived at the testing grounds and watched from his vehicle. The test was centered around a village on the opposite side of a river. Thirty German prisoners were placed in the small abandon village and given wooden gun replicas. Engineers ignited the shock troops, shooting into the air and arching towards the bewildered defenders. Five soldiers crashed in mid-air and were killed either upon impact with the other rocket troopers or when the hit the ground. Seven more hard landed, breaking bones and were subsequently erased from the exercise. The remaining rocket troops landed, assaulted the soldiers, killing three fourths within seconds. Stalin was ecstatic with the results and claimed the project an overwhelming success. The German defenders were lined up and immediately shot to maintain the secrecy of the project. The rocket troopers were taken to an offsite facility, debriefed for information about the equipment’s handling, and executed as well. Stalin transferred the project to a department of the NKVD; all of the materials and its scientists were moved that afternoon to Moscow.
The project was renamed Stalin’s Red Vultures because he was so enamored with the precise angle the assault troops attacked a single point objective, it reminded him of a flock of predatory birds swarming on a kill and devouring its meat.
The tactical value of the rocket troopers to assault pinpoint objectives such as bridgeheads or well defended areas was quickly realized. The rocket pack, while initially designed for single use after one assault, were collected by officers and crew, and shipped to Moscow for refilling for future use.
Stalin was satisfied by the rocket assault troopers and their phenomenal success rate. Although the causality rate is extremely high, led by numerous crashes and erratic flight control, the short flight duration of three to four seconds can drop two dozen men in a small, confined area and overwhelm its defenders. Pilots have a second to decide and adjust the flight control stick, which when incorrectly adjusted, can prove fatal for its operator. Currently, scientists under the control of NKVD are testing new flight control measures and liquid fuel alternatives.
Specifications (RS-82A)
• Body diameter: 82 mm
• Wingspan: 200 mm
• Length: 600 mm
• Weight: 6.8 kg
• Duration: 3-4 seconds
• Maximum speed: 340 m/s (1,115 ft/s)
• Range: 1300 m
