Reduced caliber ammunition of V.G. Fedorov's design from 1944-1945.

The subject of this article is the activities of V.G. Fedorov aimed at the development of a reduced-caliber and power cartridge for firearms. Key events in this process are analyzed, starting from 1943. It is noted that a reduced-power cartridge of smaller caliber (6.5 mm) was previously developed by V.G. Fedorov, and the reasons for the abandonment of this project at the state level are analyzed. The main viewpoints expressed during this period by leading firearms specialists from the Artillery Academy (A.A. Blagonravov, V.A. Malinovsky), the Air Force Academy (P.I. Main), and OKB-44 (N.M. Elizarov) are considered. The difficulties and problems faced by V.G. Fedorov, including subjective factors, and the results of his work are indicated. The correctness of the development path proposed by Fedorov for firearms and the necessity of creating small-caliber weapons is noted—an issue that the USSR was forced to address in 1959 after receiving information about the development in the USA of 5.56 mm low-impulse cartridges with high bullet velocity and the weapons designed for them. The research methods used in the article include the processing of archival data, a comparative-historical method, and a historical-scientific analysis of specialized literature. New data regarding V.G. Fedorov's development of a reduced-power cartridge and a reduced-caliber cartridge are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. A comparison of the ballistic qualities of reduced-power cartridges of various calibers developed in 1945 is performed. Based on newly discovered archival materials and the study of V.G. Fedorov's personal files, conclusions are drawn about the reasons for his contradictions with the Main Artillery Directorate, which have not been previously addressed in domestic historiography. As a result of the conducted research, it is concluded that Fedorov had a correct understanding of the development path of domestic firearms. This is confirmed by the fact that the 5.45 mm automatic cartridge and the Kalashnikov AK74 were subsequently adopted by the Soviet Army in 1974.

weapons design, small arms, assault rifle, cartridge, Fedorov’s cartridge, intermediate cartridge, reduced-power cartridge, Main Artillery Directorate, Bureau of Consultants, V.G. Fedorov