Cannon Gunnery of Designer I.A. Makhanov: Development, Implementation, Combat Use in the 1930s – 1950s

Abstract

Introduction. The article provides an analysis of the scientific and technical activities of I.A. Makhanov – one of the leading domestic designers, head of the experimental design bureau of the Kirov (former Putilovskiy) plant, who developed several new types of artillery weapons in the 1930s. I.A. Makhanov was repressed in 1939, and therefore his contribution to strengthening the defense of the USSR on the eve and at the beginning of the Great Patriotic War was forgotten. Methods and materials. Unpublished memoirs of I.A. Makhanov written in the 1950s – 1970s, which are currently being prepared for publication, were used as one of the main sources. Analysis. In the course of the study, it was found that under the guidance of I.A. Makhanov, in addition to experimental guns, which due to design flaws were never put into serial production (L-1, L-2), the universal gun L-3, the tank guns L-10 and L-11, and the casemate gun L-17 were developed, which in their characteristics were not inferior to other Soviet and foreign models. The fact that they were not accepted into service (L-3) or were quickly removed from service and replaced with the tools of other design bureaus (L-11 and L-17) can only be explained by the struggle of groups for the influence and power within the Soviet and party nomenclature in the 1930s. Results. Using I.A. Makhanov’s achievements in the development of artillery guns, as well as the continued work of the artillery design bureau of the Kirov plant, would have had a positive effect on the course of the Great Patriotic War and on the development of the Soviet scientific and technical sphere in the war and post-war time.