Russian weapons in space

Here is interesting fact I found. Between 1974 and 1977 the Soviets flew military versions of the Salyut space stations under the names Salyut 3 and 5. These space stations came equiped with 23mm machine guns mounted on the outside of the stations. The Russians claim that they were there for defence from US space-based inspectors/interseptors. When the guns are fired thrusters on the station fire so the station does not lose its orbit. To aim the guns they had to move the whole station. They used a periscope connected to a visor on the main control pannel to draw a bead on the intended target. According to the Russians the guns were actually tested in space but were never used in anger. I found this very interestin. I wonder what would happen if a Russian space station fired on a American space craft. I want to knwo what you guys think on this subject. Please post. Thanks.

[Edited on 26-7-2003 by jetsetter]

Using a machine gun in space ????? Are you talking about the classical Russian 23 mm gun ????

Any link jetsetter ?

seems farfetched to me i mean how would the bullets go through space it would take ages to get from one place to another.

Russian
23 mm/71.7 (0.91") VYa

145.5 lbs. (66 kg)

With a muzzel velocity of
2,985 - 3,020 fps (910 - 920 mps)
thats just over mach 4!

The craft could use the guns AS thrusters!

Russian
23 mm (0.91") AN-23



These guns were gas-operated and belt-fed.
The barrel was monoblock with a blade type breech.
The systems was controlled by Ksenon-125 radar.

So I see no reason why it would require manual aiming.
The only manual operation would be the correction of
alignment from shots, and the stabalizers would be
working overtime just to keep the craft stable.
Another reason I don't see this working.

Picture



The above weapon, is one used on craft.

I didn't see anything like the such mounted
on the orbital craft. If it is armed they hid
that monster of a weapon well.

Link

Salyut 3



11.61 meters long and had a
maximum diameter of 4.15 meters.
Its useful volume totaled 47 cubic meters.

Though some science research was done, the station was
primarily used for military reconnaissance work.
Pavel Popovich, commander of the July 1974 Soyuz 14
flight to Salyut 3, is said to have indicated that the
cannon was installed on Salyut 3 but "fortunately he
was not forced to use it".

Link

Salyut 5
Was structurally similar to Salyut 3 and shared the
same official objectives -- test spacecraft systems,
design and equipment and conduct scientific and technological
research and experiments.
Included two solar panels laterally mounted to its center
and a detachable recovery module for returning data and
materials to the ground. Film could be developed and
analyzed in space and returned in the reentry capsules.

Both of their orbits decayed, and they reentered the atmosphere.


[Edited on 27-7-2003 by ADVISOR]

The article said it got the info from some Russians who flew on the space craft.

they could also launch kamikaze drones into space to take out nato satellites

Here is the link from where I got the info
www.fourmilab.to/documents/spaceguns/

sorry, you have to type in the site.

[Edited on 27-7-2003 by jetsetter]