What pistols do Russian special forces use? Weapons for the elite: what the FSB special forces and the Belarusian Alpha choose. Armament and equipment
I wish you pleasant studying.
Best regards, Ermak
Weapons used by the TsSN FSB of the Russian Federation
The main feature of the weapons of the Anti-Terrorism and Intelligence Centers of the FSB is the supply of military personnel with some foreign copies.
Previously, many said that the FSB TsSN was arming itself with captured items. Today, this news can be refuted. Now the ministry has a number of sponsors, which supply foreign weapons.
But to say that the FSB is really armed mainly with NATO models is stupid, because They are armed with only a small number of foreign sniper rifles, shotguns and a few types of pistols.
According to some reports, since 2010, the FSB has refused to use foreign submachine guns and terminated a contract with a well-known European military corporation to supply Sig Sauer brand pistols to Russia, considering them not so effective. In addition, the famous “Rooks” (Yarygin Pistols) rushed en masse to replace them.
Below are the weapons of the TsSN FSB of the Russian Federation. (I’ll add shotguns later!)
(!) I didn't add underwater weapons. I think that it is not needed for modeling, and you won’t find such airsoft samples unless you order them.
MACHINES:
1) Automatic 9A-91
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1506-9a-91
2) Automatic AEK-971
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1526-aek-971
3) Kalashnikov assault rifles (Modernizations and modifications):
AK-47
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1717-ak
AKM
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1532-akm
AK-74
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1527-ak-74
AK-74M
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1528-ak-74m
AKS-74U
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1533-aks-74u
AK 107 and AK 108
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1531-ak-107
AK-101, AK-103
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1529-ak-101
AK-102, AK-104, AK-105
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1530-ak-102
4) Nikonov AN-94 assault rifle
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1534-an-94
5) Automatic AS Val
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1536-as
6) SR-3 “Whirlwind” assault rifle
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1540-vihr
-OTs - 11 "Tiss"
https://gunsite.narod.ru/tiss.htm
7) Silent rifle-grenade launcher complex “Canary”
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1537-kanareyka
8) Small-sized assault rifle A-91
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1525-a91
9) Sniper assault rifle OTs-03AS (Not to be confused with an IED!)
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1538-oc-03as
10) Rifle-grenade launcher complex “Silence”
https://oruzie.su/automatic/2153-tishina
11) Rifle-grenade launcher complex OTs-14 “Groza”
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1539-groza
12) TKB-0239 rifle-grenade launcher complex
https://oruzie.su/automatic/1541-tkb-0239
RIFLES:
13) AW-50 rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1557-aw-50
14) Large-caliber rifle Falcon OP 96
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1561-op-96
15) Special sniper rifle VSS "Vintorez"
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1569-vss
16) Barrett M82A1 sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1559-barrett
-large-caliber sniper rifle Stoner SR-50
https://eragun.org/usa/magvint/vinma_12.html
-large-caliber sniper rifle Barrett M90
https://eragun.org/usa/magvint/vinma_12_03.html
-large-caliber sniper rifle Barrett XM 500
https://eragun.org/usa/magvint/vinma_12_10.html
-large-caliber sniper rifle Barrett M99
https://eragun.org/usa/magvint/vinma_12_17.html
17) Covert sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/2184-covert
18) DSR-1 sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1560-dsr-1
19) Erma SR100 sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/2071-sr100
20) Super Magnum sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/2182-super-magnum
21) ASVK sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1558-asvk
22) Sniper rifle VSK-94
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1568-vsk-94
23) KSVK sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1570-ksvk
Large-caliber sniper rifle V-94
https://eragun.org/ross/mahvin/vintma_21.html
24) Sniper rifle OSV-96
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1572-osv-96
25) Sniper rifle OTs-44
https://oruzie.su/rifles/2112-oc44
Large-caliber sniper rifle VSSK Exhaust
https://eragun.org/ross/mahvin/vintma_20.html
26) Sniper rifle SV-98
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1574-sv-98
27) SVD sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1576-svd
SVDS sniper rifle
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1577-svds
Sniper rifle SVU AS
https://oruzie.su/rifles/1579-svu-as
PISTOLS:
28) Automatic pistol OTs-23 “Dart”
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1694-oc-23
29) Automatic pistol OTs-33 “Pernach”
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1696-oc-33
30) Yarygin’s pistol “Rook”
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1705-grach
31) Pistol 6P35
https://oruzie.su/pistols/2103-6p35
32) Five-seveN pistol
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1677-five-seven
33) Glock 17 pistol
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1678-glock-17
34) Pistol MP 444 “Bagheera”
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1683-mp-444
Pistol MP 445 "Varyag"
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1700-mp-445
Pistol MP 446 "Viking"
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1684-mp-446
Pistol MP 448 "Skif"
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1692-mp-446
35) Silent pistol PB
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1699-pb
36) Pistol OTs-27 “Berdysh”
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1695-oc-27
37) Pistol P-96S
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1698-p-96c
38) Pistol SR-1 “Gyurza”
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1709-gurza
39) APS pistol
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1690-aps
40) SPS pistol
https://oruzie.su/pistols/1708-sps
SUBMACHINE GUNS:
41) Submachine gun OTs-22
https://oruzie.su/pp/1657-oc-22
42) Submachine gun "Bison-2"
https://oruzie.su/pp/1652-bizon
43) Submachine gun "Vityaz"
https://oruzie.su/pp/2134-vityaz
Vityaz-SN submachine gun
https://gunsite.narod.ru/vitaz_sn.htm
44) Submachine gun "Kedr-B"
https://oruzie.su/pp/1654-kedr
45) Special submachine gun "Cypress"
https://oruzie.su/pp/1655-kiparis
46) AEK 918 submachine gun
https://oruzie.su/pp/1651-aek-918
47) AEK 919 “Chestnut” submachine gun
https://oruzie.su/pp/1653-aek-919
48) Submachine gun OTs-39
https://oruzie.su/pp/1658-oc-39
49) Submachine gun OTs-39P
https://oruzie.su/pp/1659-oc-39p
50) PP 2000 submachine gun
https://oruzie.su/pp/2142-pp-2000
51) Submachine gun PP 9 “Wedge”
https://oruzie.su/pp/1656-klin
52) PP-90M1 submachine gun
https://oruzie.su/pp/1661-pp-90m1
53) Submachine gun SR-2 “Veresk”
https://oruzie.su/pp/1665-sr-2
MACHINE GUNS:
54) Single machine gun AEK 999 “Badger”
https://oruzie.su/machine-gun/1623-aek-999
55) Upgraded Kalashnikov PKM machine gun
https://oruzie.su/machine-gun/1631-pkm
Upgraded Kalashnikov PKM machine gun Easel
https://oruzie.su/machine-gun/1633-pkms
56) Machine gun "Pecheneg"
https://oruzie.su/machine-gun/1630-pecheneg
57) Kalashnikov light machine gun modernized RPK-74M
https://oruzie.su/machine-gun/1638-rpk-74m
Kalashnikov RPK light machine gun
https://oruzie.su/machine-gun/1636-rpk
Kalashnikov RPK-74 light machine gun
https://oruzie.su/machine-gun/1637-rpk-74
GRENADE LAUNCHERS:
58) Automatic mounted grenade launcher AGS 30
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1592-ags-30
59) GM 94 repeating grenade launcher
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1593-gm-94
60) Grenade launcher complex “Showcase”
https://oruzie.su/grenade/2152-vitrina
61) Revolving grenade launcher 6G30
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1581-6g30
62) Hand grenade launcher “Knucklebones”
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1589-kastet
63) RGS 50M hand grenade launcher
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1594-rgs-50m
64) RPG-18 “Mukha” hand grenade launcher
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1597-rpg-18
65) RPG-22 “Netto” hand grenade launcher
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1598-rpg-22
66) RPG-26 “Aglen” hand grenade launcher
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1599-rpg-26
67) RPG-27 “Tavolga” hand grenade launcher
https://oruzie.su/grenade/1600-rpg-27
68) Hand grenade launcher system DP-64 “Nepryadva”
https://oruzie.su/grenade/2045-dp64
69) Under-barrel grenade launchers GP-25 and GP-30
https://gunsite.narod.ru/gp25_30.htm
EQUIPMENT USED BY TsSN FSB RF
""TsSN FSB RF"""
It is worth starting a discussion of the topic in 2004, from the moment of the tragedy in Beslan.
Since then, a large amount of video and photographic material has appeared on the Internet, indicating the tactics, dexterity, equipment and weapons of the TsSN FSB of the Russian Federation.
There is enough material about this department to do modeling. More information can only be found in the archives of the department itself.
Let's highlight only the brightest moments
As you know, the FSB includes three departments. A, B and C (read as “ES”, not “C”).
The departments of Alpha and Vympel specifically took part in the release of the hostages.
Let's look at control equipment "A":
Uniform: KLMV "Partizan" (Frog) in the "SS-Summer" coloring, uniform in the Woodland coloring.
Shoes - Crispy.
Armor protection:
Helmets - "Altyn", "Lynx" and TIG.
Body armor from "FORT Technologies", models "OK DEFENDER", "Redut M" and "Redut T5".
Unloading: RPS "Smersh".
Armament - AK74S, AKMS, VALs, VSSs, SR-3 "Whirlwind", "Aglen", "Shmel".
Lobaev's sniper rifles, OVL and SVL, which had just entered service, were used for the first time.
Let's consider control "B".
Form: KLMV "Partizan" (Frog) in the colors "Dusk" and "Mabuta" Glass.
Shoes - Crispy.
Armor protection: Helmets - Lynx, TIG and Altyn.
Body armor - FORT models "OK DEFENDER".
Unloading: Alloy breastplates not considered by us and several fighters wearing SSO "Jagers" with brakes.
Armament - AK74S, AKMS, "Aglen", "Shmel".
Since Directorate “A” has sponsorship, but Directorate “B” does not, the equipment of Directorate “B” has survived to this day practically unchanged.
Therefore, further we will consider only the equipment of Directorate “A”, as being of the greatest interest to us.
2005 - 2007.
The form changes constantly:
Black, Gorki-R, KLMK "Beryozka" (.....) KLMV "Partizan" in the color "SS-Summer", KLMV "Partizan" in the color "Dusk", Woodland, "Vertical", Multicam.
Perhaps 2008 can be called a turning point in the supply of Directorate “A”.
Sponsors have finally arrived!
This explains to us the appearance of outlandish equipment that is not typical for domestic special forces. The AK series has undergone modernization and began to be massively “hung” with RIS forends and receiver linings. MAGPUL CTR stocks with SWAT ARMS adapters and the like, holographic sights EoTech 551 and 552 TDI tactical grips appeared.
By the way, the name “Pokemon” came from the pennant.
Let's remember the shooting competition among special forces officers, dedicated to the tenth anniversary of the TsSN FSB of Russia. September 2008
Clothing - Assault overalls from SRVV.
Shoes- Crispy, BatesAndAltama.
Body armor - FORT's "OK DEFENDER" and "Redoubt" (since special orders with individual fit were sent, it is not possible to distinguish "Redoubt T5" from "Redoubt M").
Unloading: Molle platforms from CAMELBAK, BlackHawk and SRVV. The KZ mall platforms we use with Default are an exact copy (not a replica, but a copy) of the BlackHawk platforms, with the only difference being that there are no BlackHawk checks and the cost is almost 4 times less.
Armament (not specifically at competitions, but from the 2008 period) - AK74S, VALs, VSSs, Vikhri, PYA, SVL/OVL.
2009 - 20010.
Shoes- Crispy, BatesAndAltama.
Helmets - Altyn, LShZ-2DT, LShZ-2DT M, Mask-4.
Unloading: Mall platforms from BlackHawk, SRVV and SSO.
Armament - AK74S, VALs, VSSs, Vikhri, PYA, SVL/OVL.
The AK103 and AK104 were also put into service.
Let's sum it up.
Since we are not yet modeling a specific time period, the presence of equipment from different years is allowed for now.
In terms of equipment that is suitable in terms of quality and convenience, as well as actually used, we can list:
Clothing - Assault overalls from SRVV and French Nomex black and blue overalls, Multicam from CRYE PRECISION (for the contingent operating in Dagestan), KLMV "Partizan" in the colors "Twilight" and "SS-Summer", Gorka-R, Gorka-D, Good old "Flora" is back.
Shoes- Crispy, BatesAndAltama.
Helmets - Altyn, LSHZ-2 DT, LSHZ-2 DT M (" Volcano"), Mask-4.
Body armor - FORT models "OK DEFENDER" and "Redoubt" (since there were special orders with an individual fit, it is not possible to distinguish "Redoubt T5" from "Redoubt M").
Armored suits - fire-heat-resistant overalls FORT "Pyton", anti-fragmentation overalls "Falcon" and FORT "Reid-L".
Armor shields - VANT LM and VANT LM from FORT Technologies.
Unloading: Mall platforms from CAMELBAK, BlackHawk, SRVV and SSO.
Armament - AK74S, VALs, VSSy, Vikhri, PYA, SVL/OVL, AK103 and AK104.
An example of a load-bearing vest platform: https://granit.0pk.ru/viewtopic.php?id=31
Types of camouflages used by the TsSN FSB of the Russian Federation: https://www.airsoftgunspb.ru/forum/index.php?showtopic=30856
For teams modeling the TsSN of the FSB of the Russian Federation on modern stage:
:: MANDATORY FOREST EQUIPMENT::
Protective glasses
Red bandage
Statutory headdress with camouflage properties.
High Top Boots
Gloves with maximum camouflage properties.
Knee pads
Unloading system (preferably in "Spectrum" color)
First aid kit (iodine, bandage, gauze pads, cotton wool, painkillers and other drugs of the fighter’s choice)
Notepad with pencil or pen
Flashlight with replaceable filters
Water container (hydration system or flask)
Training rubber knife
Navigation system - GPS (at the initial stage compass)
Multitool (or its analogues)
Additional means of camouflage such as scarves, nets, etc., as well as means of camouflaging parts of weapons, especially magazines and pads.
The rest is seats, joint protectors, etc. - optional.
:: MANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR BUILDINGS::
Protective glasses
Uniform in "FPS" or "Spectrum" colors, depending on the department.
Red bandage
Helmet 6b27
Body armor (Defender 2)
High Top Boots
Gloves with maximum finger protection.
Knee pads
The unloading system is preferably in the “Spectrum” color.
Radio station operating in the range 400-470 MHz
Alpha Group or Directorate "A" TsSN FSB- special forces Federal Service Russian security, intended mainly for the release of hostages and anti-terrorist operations.
general information
Formed by order of the Chairman of the KGB Yu.V. Andropov in 1974 as a response to the terrorist attack at the Munich Olympics. Initially, it was a group of 30 people, subordinate first to the 5th and then to the 7th Main Directorate of the KGB. Currently subordinate to the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia; special forces with the same name for a similar purpose are available in Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The exact composition and size of the Alpha group is strictly classified.
Preparation of TsSN FSB "Alpha"
Initially, the Alpha group was staffed exclusively by officers and warrant officers (the latter are about 3% of the number, they occupy mainly auxiliary positions, for example, instructors). The age limit for candidates is 28 years (for those who came from other special forces, there is no this limit). There is also one serious physical limitation for candidates - height must be at least 175 centimeters. This is due to the fact that during operations, employees often use heavy armored shields of impressive dimensions. For short employees, these protective equipment simply drag on the ground.
Requirements for physical training:
- Running 100 meters in 12 seconds;
- 3000 meters in 10.5 minutes;
- Pull-ups on the bar - 25 times;
- Torso bending - 90 times in 2 minutes;
- Push-ups from the floor - 90 times;
- Push-ups on parallel bars - 30 times.
- Complex strength exercise (15 push-ups, 15 flexions and extensions of the torso (testing the abdominals), then 15 times moving from the “crouched” position to the “lying position” and back, then 15 jumps from the “crouched” position up) - 7 once in a row.
Candidates undergo special verification and psychological testing. The consent of the candidate's parents and spouse is mandatory for enrollment in Alpha. Those who successfully pass all these stages of selection are enlisted in the special forces, receiving black berets and Anti-Terror knives, after which they leave for their groups, where they undergo training in their specialty for 3 years.
Combat Operations Alpha
The first of Alpha's most high-profile operations was the storming of the palace of the Afghan dictator Kh. Amin on December 27, 1979. 24 special forces officers were part of the combined assault group together with the Zenit and Cascade groups. "Alpha" operated in Afghanistan throughout the armed conflict, performing tasks of anti-sabotage protection of Kabul and the direct protection of the Soviet embassy.
One of the types of tasks that only Alpha successfully handled in the USSR was the release of planes hijacked by terrorists, which happened very often in the 1980s. This special unit was also involved in the release of hostages when they turned out to be children. The last most high-profile success of “Alpha” was a joint assault with the “Vityaz” group on a pre-trial detention center seized by criminals in Sukhumi on August 11-15, 1990.
After the collapse of the USSR, Alpha came under the jurisdiction of the Special Purpose Center of the FSB of Russia. It was she who was involved in the release of hostages in Budyonnovsk, the theater on Dubrovka and Beslan. Also, Alpha officers serve on a permanent basis in Chechnya, where they are engaged in the capture and destruction of particularly important leaders of the terrorist underground.
Armament and equipment
At the time of the creation of the Alpha group, there were practically no specialized anti-terror weapons in the Soviet Union. The main weapons of the special forces were a Kalashnikov assault rifle with a silencer, Makarov and pistols, a Dragunov sniper rifle and edged weapons. Compact rapid fire weapons, most suitable for combat at a very short distance, simply did not exist. Nevertheless, the unit, even with weapons that were not very suitable for this, successfully freed hostages, including those captured on airplanes.
The situation with weapons began to change by the beginning of the 1980s, when the AS Val and . They were much better suited for anti-terrorist operations in urban environments, since a heavy 9-mm bullet, when hitting a target, transferred all the energy to the tissues of the human body, while piercing almost any body armor.
Alpha officers were also the first to receive the Grach and Gyurza pistols, loaded with reinforced cartridges capable of penetrating body armor. New models of submachine guns were also primarily adopted by this special forces unit.
Due to the need to fight in urban environments, FSB special forces are equipped with heavy body armor and titanium helmets.
SIG SG 550 assault rifle
SIG SG 550 assault rifle.
Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle
Heckler & Koch G36 assault rifle.
Having adopted the G3 into service in 1958, Germany for a long time did not switch to the reduced 5.56 mm ammunition. Reconfiguring the G3 rifle for the new cartridge did not cause any problems. This was done already in 1968, when the NK 33 model appeared, which was an analogue of the G3, converted from a caliber of 7.62 to 5.56 mm.
FAMAS F3 assault rifle
FAMAS F3 assault rifle.
For several post-war decades, the French army was armed with MAS 49/56 self-loading rifles chambered in a unique 7.5 mm caliber cartridge, which was not used in any NATO country, although the French MAT 49 submachine guns had the standard NATO caliber - 9 mm.
Valmet/Sako assault rifle
Valmet/Sako assault rifle.
Hardly survived the Second world war After the end of hostilities, Finland did not dare to join NATO, fearing the reaction of the powerful USSR. Relying solely on their own forces, the military command introduced universal conscription and a reservist system, which allowed short time deploy the peacetime army into thousands of self-defense troops.
FN SCAR assault rifle
FN SCAR assault rifle.
In 1987, the US Armed Forces formed new structure- US SOCOM (US Special Operations Command - “command special operations USA"). It united special units of the army, national guard, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
M4 and Colt Commando assault rifle
M4 and Colt Commando assault rifle.
Colt, a manufacturer of M16 A2 rifles, established in the 1980s. release of a whole family of assault rifles of the 700 series. Most likely, the number 7 in the designation is the number of types of rifles produced in different years Colt company.
M16 assault rifle
M16 assault rifle.
In 1963, a new weapon was adopted into service in the United States to replace the 7.62 mm M14 rifle. This was an epochal event in the history of wars. For the first time, a rifle with a reduced caliber of 5.56 mm was put into service. It had the designation M16 A1.
Beretta AR70 and AR70/90 assault rifles
Beretta AR70 and AR70/90 assault rifles.
The first standard rifle of the army of post-war Italy was the American M1 Garand self-loading rifle. Licensed production This weapon was manufactured by the famous company Pietro Beretta. In 1959, the Italian Army adopted new model Beretta VM 59.
CETME assault rifles
CETME assault rifles.
Immediately after the end of the Second World War, the state-owned enterprise CETME was created in Madrid - Centra de Estudios Tecnicos de Materiales Especiales ("Center for Research on Special Technical Materials"), which was engaged in the production of ammunition, gunpowder and explosives.
TAR 21 assault rifle
TAR 21 assault rifle.
For several decades, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have had a number of assault rifles of various designs and different manufacturers in service. These are the American M16 and M4, produced both in the USA and in Israel under license, american rifles CAR 15 from Armalite, as well as modifications of the Israeli Galil rifle.
Galil assault rifle
Galil assault rifle.
Specialists from the Israeli company IMI (Israel Military Industries) have never denied that the prototype of this weapon was the Soviet Kalashnikov assault rifle. From the beginning of its existence, Israel was surrounded by the armies of the Arab League, which were armed with Soviet AK-47 assault rifles.
L85 assault rifle
L85 assault rifle.
The history of the development of this weapon is perhaps the longest in history. modern practice. Back in the early 1950s. British designer Noel Kent-Lemon presented a completely non-standard EM2 rifle to the British military.
FN F2000 assault rifle
FN F2000 assault rifle.
In the mid-1990s. leading design bureaus of Western countries were developing a new universal type small arms for arming soldiers of the 21st century. The customer was the joint command of NATO countries.
FN FAL and FNC assault rifles
FN FAL and FNC assault rifles.
Europe was just beginning to recover from the wounds inflicted by the Second World War, and work was already in full swing in the design bureau of the famous Belgian arms manufacturer Fabrique Nationale. A group of engineers led by Dieudonne Seve began developing an automatic assault rifle.
Steyr AUG 77 assault rifle
Steyr AUG 77 assault rifle.
After World War II, Austria became one of the founding countries of the NATO bloc. In 1958, the Austrian army adopted the M58 assault rifle, which was a modification of the FN FAL rifle from the Belgian concern Fabrique Nationale.
Russian special forces weapons
Army weapons
Army weapons.
One of the most common types of weapons is military-style weapons. On its basis, hunting versions and self-defense weapons are created, and most often they end up in private hands in their original form.
Army Weapon Review
Review of army weapons.
It is no secret that the basis for such developments was the Czechoslovak Scorpion submachine gun. This sample belongs to the so-called small submachine guns, which are almost no different in size and weight from automatic pistols.
Automatic grenade launcher complex OTs-14 "Groza"
The OTs-14 “Groza” automatic grenade launcher system was developed in the early 1990s. for arming special police units operating in dense urban areas. At the same time, the designers sought to create a weapon that would ensure reliable destruction of openly positioned manpower, including personal armor protection, light armored vehicles and vehicles, and at the same time give a minimum number of ricochets. We also took into account the fact that installing an under-barrel grenade launcher, necessary for solving these problems, on a weapon of a classical layout design significantly worsens the balance of this weapon. In addition, to facilitate the introduction of the new complex into mass production, it was decided to unify it to the maximum extent with the serial 5.45-mm Kalashnikov AKS-74U assault rifle.
Prototype complex was demonstrated in 1994. It included a machine gun, underbarrel grenade launcher VII-25, special SP cartridges. 5 and SP. 6, fragmentation rounds VOG-25 and VOG-25 P.
The machine gun is designed according to the bullpup layout with the automatic mechanisms and magazine placed behind the fire control handle. This made it possible to significantly reduce the length of the weapon, reduce its “bounce” under the influence of recoil force, and, in the presence of an under-barrel grenade launcher, to ensure balance with the location of the weapon’s center of gravity in the area of the fire control handle.
Silent small arms grenade launcher systems "Silence" and "Canary"
In the 1970s, it was adopted by special forces brigades Soviet army and special forces units of the border troops of the KGB of the USSR, the silent rifle-grenade launcher system “Silence”, developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise, began to arrive. The creation of the complex was due to the fact that for solving a number of special tasks (destructing missiles on the march and launch positions, defeating light armored vehicles, helicopters and airplanes on the ground, etc.) the effectiveness of special silent small arms was insufficient.
The “Silence” complex includes: a special silent modification of the 7.62-mm Kalashnikov assault rifle with a folding shoulder rest AKSMB with a silent and flameless firing device PBS-1; 30-mm special silent under-barrel grenade launcher BS-1; a special combat cartridge 7.62 x 39 mm US (reduced velocity) with a subsonic initial velocity of a weighted bullet and a throwing cartridge based on the standard 7.62 x 39 mm cartridge.
A special feature of the complex is that it combines not only two types of projectiles (bullet and grenade), but also two basic principles of reducing the sound level of a shot - expansion of powder gases in a variable-closed volume (gas cut-off) and preliminary expansion and cooling of powder gases before releasing them into the atmosphere.
Sniper rifle SV-99
The SV-99 rifle was developed by designers of the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant. It is intended primarily to arm fighters of special forces assault groups of the police, FSB and internal troops Ministry of Internal Affairs Russian Federation, leading fighting in dense urban areas. It can also be used as an individual weapon of the second number in a large-caliber sniper rifle.
This purpose of the rifle determined the choice of ammunition for it - a 5.6 mm rimfire cartridge (.22LR). Although the effective fire range of this cartridge does not exceed 100 m, and the destructive effect of the bullet is relatively small, the cartridge is excellent for creating both high-precision short-range weapons and silent and flameless shooting weapons. When creating the SV-99, the designers used separate technical solutions, previously implemented in the biathlon rifle BI-7-2 (“Biathlon-7-2”) and the hunting carbine “Sobol” produced by the Izhevsk Machine-Building Plant.
Special sniper rifle VSS “Vintorez”
Special units of the KGB of the USSR and reconnaissance and sabotage units of the Soviet Army in 1987 received a very effective silent sniper complex (VSK), developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise P. I. Serdyukov and V. F. Krasnikov in accordance with the tactical and technical requirements approved GRAU at the end of 1985
The complex includes a sniper rifle special VSS"Vintorez" (GRAU index 6 P29), 9-mm special cartridge SP. 5 (index GRAU 7 N8), optical or night sight and accessories.
The sniper rifle is the main component of the complex. It is designed according to a classic layout scheme and is equipped with automatic reloading mechanisms that operate using the energy of powder gases discharged through a hole in the barrel into a gas chamber located above the barrel in a plastic fore-end. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, which has six lugs.
The striker-type impact mechanism ensures firing in single shots and bursts. The fire mode selector is located inside the trigger guard behind the trigger. When the translator lever is moved to the right, a single fire is fired (there is one white dot on the right side of the receiver behind the trigger box), and when the lever is moved to the left, a continuous fire is fired (there are three white dots on the left side of the receiver).
Rifle sniper complex VSK-94
The VSK-94 silent rifle sniper complex was developed by the Tula enterprise KPB in 1995. It is intended for arming special police forces and internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, as well as reconnaissance groups army special forces. The complex can be used as an individual weapon of the second number in a long-range sniper rifle, while the ability to fire silently in automatic mode significantly increases the capabilities of a sniper pair.
The complex includes the VSK-94 sniper rifle itself and special 9 x 39 mm SP cartridges. 5, SP. 6 or PAB-9, optical sights PSK-07 (day) and PKN-03 M (night), as well as a container case for carrying the complex.
The rifle was developed on the basis of the 9-mm assault rifle 9 A-91. It has the same automatic reloading mechanisms, operating by using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel when fired.
Automatic 9 A-91
For arming police officers special purpose and special forces units of the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the KPB in the early 1990s. developed a small-sized assault rifle 9 A-91. The assault rifle was adopted by the internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation in 1994. The command of the Russian Army also showed a certain interest in the assault rifle, since it can be armed with military personnel who are not directly involved in hostilities: drivers transport vehicles, radio and radar operators, etc.
The machine gun is designed according to a classic layout using automatic reloading mechanisms operating according to a well-developed scheme using the energy of powder gases removed from the barrel bore. Automatic gas engine with long stroke gas piston, to give the rod the required length, the gas chamber is extended forward. The barrel bore is locked by turning the bolt, which is equipped with four lugs.
The reloading handle located on the right side is rigidly connected to the bolt frame.
The hammer-type trigger mechanism allows firing single shots and bursts.
Automatic OTs-11 "Tiss"
Due to the aggravation of the criminal situation in the Russian Federation in the early 1990s. under the auspices of the Main Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, special rapid response departments (detachments) were created in the republics, territories and regions. There was a strengthening of special purpose police units (OMON), created back in Soviet times, as well as special purpose units, operational brigades and divisions of internal troops. The units of these formations were armed with army small arms, which were unsuitable for combat operations in dense urban areas. Bullets from live 5.45- and 7.62-mm cartridges gave a lot of ricochets and created a danger for passers-by who accidentally found themselves in the special operations zone. At the same time, the stopping effect of these bullets was not enough.
A weapon specially created for use in police special operations was the small-sized OTs-11 “Tiss” assault rifle. It was created in the early 1990s, and in 1993 the first batch of assault rifles of this type entered service with the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation.
In order to speed up the development and organization of mass production of new weapons, a standard AKS-74U assault rifle was used as a prototype, which was modified for new ammunition - SP cartridges. 5 and SP. 6.
Special automatic machine AS "Val"
Since the late 1980s. The AS “Val” special assault rifle (GRAU index 6P30) also entered service with special forces units of the KGB and the Soviet Army.
Currently, the AS "Val" is part of the armament of special forces units of many law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. The machine was developed by a group of designers from the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise headed by P. I. Serdyukov. It is part of a silent machine gun complex, which also includes a special machine gun cartridge SP. 6 and affiliation. The complex is designed to defeat the enemy during special operations in conditions requiring silent and flameless shooting.
When developing the AS “Val”, the VSS “Vintorez” rifle was used as a base; more than 70% of the parts and assemblies of these weapons were unified. Like a rifle, the machine gun has automatic reloading mechanisms that operate by using the energy of powder gases discharged through a side hole in the barrel. The barrel bore is locked using a rotating bolt, which has 6 lugs, for the cutouts in receiver. The rate of fire is 800 - 900 rounds/min, combat rate of fire is 40 - 60 rounds/min.
Underwater special assault rifle APS
Like the SPP-1 special underwater pistol, the APS special underwater assault rifle is designed to arm scuba divers of the naval special forces of the Navy. Research aimed at creating underwater small arms has been carried out in the USSR since the late 1950s.
In the 1960s they were activated, as underwater saboteur units were created in the fleets of a number of NATO countries.
The result of many years of research and development work was a unique, still unparalleled in the world, APS automatic machine (“underwater special automatic machine”), developed by the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise. Its first versions were designed by P. A. Tkanev, an employee of this enterprise; subsequently, V. V. Simonov was the leading designer. The assault rifle was adopted by the naval special forces of the USSR Navy in 1975. Its production was organized at the Tula Arms Plant.
Although the APS assault rifle is designed for firing underwater, its design, in principle, differs little from conventional land-based models of automatic small arms. It has automatic reloading mechanisms, the operation of which is based on the use of the energy of powder gases removed from the bore of a smooth barrel when fired.
Automatic SR3 "Whirlwind"
Currently, the 9-mm small-sized SR assault rifle is currently being mass-produced and entering service with special forces units of various law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation. Z. The machine was developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise A.D. Borisov and V.N. Levchenko. At the development stage, it was designated MA - a small-sized assault rifle; it was adopted into service in 1996 under the designation SR. Z (SR - special development).
Relatively small size and weight of the SR. These make it one of the most compact and convenient small arms for special operations, ensuring the destruction of protected targets at a range of up to 200 m. SR. The Z is designed on the basis of the 9-mm AS Val silent assault rifle, which, in turn, is a variant of the VSS Vintorez sniper rifle.
The main difference between SR. The main benefit of the prototype is the absence of a shot silencer, which made it possible to design the weapon as compact and suitable for concealed carry.
Submachine gun PP-93
Disadvantages of the PP-90 that reduce the effectiveness of its use by special forces units. These shortcomings include, first of all, the relatively long time it takes to bring the PP-90 into combat position, as a result of which special forces soldiers did not always have time to respond in time with fire to a sudden enemy attack.
The insufficient length of the stock and unsatisfactory ergonomics also cause criticism.
Due to the fact that many of the disadvantages of the PP-90 were due to the need to ensure its folding when transferred to the stowed position, it was decided to develop on the basis of the PP-90 new submachine gun, whose compactness is stowed position is provided by a metal butt of sufficiently long length that folds forward and upward.
The Tula enterprise KBP presented a prototype of a new submachine gun under the designation PP-93 for testing in 1993. It is intended for arming special police units and internal troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. The PP-93 can be used by crews of armored vehicles and helicopters; due to its compactness, the submachine gun is used for concealed carry by law enforcement officers.
PP-90 submachine gun
After what happened in the West in the late 1970s. kidnappings and murders of famous politicians and businessmen, the American Eugene Stoner (E. Stoner) developed a folding submachine gun FMG (Folding Submachine gun) for the security services, produced by Ares in a small series. In the stowed position, it looked like an inconspicuous metal box the size of a portable radio, which within a few seconds turned into a formidable weapon capable of repelling an attack by armed terrorists.
The USSR became interested in a folding submachine gun. At the end of the 1980s. The Tula enterprise KBP was tasked with developing a similar weapon. A prototype of the Soviet folding submachine gun PP-90 was ready in 1991. After short tests, it was adopted by army and police special forces, and it also entered the units of the Main Directorate of Security and the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation. The PP-90 is close in design to the IMS submachine gun.
Shooting knife OTs-54 “Kit”
Very effective example The personal weapon of fighters in special forces units is the OTs-54 “Komplekt” system.
The system includes a shooting knife, a saw with large teeth, an ax, as well as a carrying bag with compartments for an awl and other accessories necessary for long-term operations behind enemy lines.
The shooting knife is the main element of the OTs-54 system. It consists of a handle and a blade. The trigger mechanism of the firing device is mounted in the handle, made of electrically insulating material, and a blade is attached, approximately equal in length to the bayonet-knife of an AKM assault rifle. The firing device is designed in such a way that its 9-mm barrel chambered for the PM cartridge can be replaced with a barrel chambered for a different caliber. Options for a shooting knife chambered for 7.62 x 42 mm SP cartridges have been developed. 2 or SP. 3,5,45 x 18 mm MCP and 9 x 18 mm PM.
Scout shooting knife NRS/NRS-2
Shooting knives were personal weapons of attack and defense of special military personnel intelligence units Soviet army and KGB of the USSR. They are also used by Russian special forces units. Knives are designed to defeat an enemy in close combat with a blade, when striking or throwing, as well as with a shot without noise and flame at a distance of up to 25 m.
The first example of a shooting knife was the NRS (scout shooting knife), developed in the 1970s. under the leadership of R. D. Khlynin. The knife was assigned the index GRAU 6 P25.
The NRS was created on the basis of a conventional HP reconnaissance knife chambered for a 7.62 mm special SP cartridge. 3, ensuring silent and flameless firing. It differs from the basic sample in that a disposable firing device is mounted in the back of the handle, consisting of a detachable barrel with a locking device and two locking protrusions made on the barrel, firing mechanism, cocking lever, safety lever and release lever.
Underwater pistol SPP-1
Work on the creation of an underwater pistol for arming scuba divers of the naval special forces of the Navy began in the USSR in 1966. They ended in 1970 with the adoption by the Navy of an original pistol complex developed by the designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise O. P. Kravchenko and P. F. Sazonov . The complex consists of a 4.5 mm special underwater pistol (SPP-1) and an underwater pistol cartridge 4.5 x 39Ya SPS (with a steel bullet). The complex also includes ten cartridge clips, a holster made of artificial leather, a device for loading clips, a waist belt for carrying and three metal cases for loaded clips. Production of the complex was established at the Tula Arms Plant.
The “highlight” of the complex is the SPS underwater cartridge with a needle-shaped bullet of high elongation inserted into a special sleeve with a blunt head. The action of the cartridge is based on the use of a physical phenomenon - cavitation (from the Latin savitas - “cavity”, “emptiness”).
PSS "Vul" pistol
In 1983, a unique pistol complex, intended for use as a personal weapon for covert attack and defense, entered service with special forces units of law enforcement ministries and departments of the USSR. Silent shooting and no flash when fired make this complex an almost ideal weapon for special operations. The complex was designed in the early 1980s. designers of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise Yu. M. Krylov and V. N. Levchenko. It includes a “7.62-mm self-loading special pistol PSS” (GRAU b P24 index), a special pistol cartridge SP. 4 and a holster.
The most interesting element of the complex, providing silent and flameless shooting from a pistol, is a special SP cartridge. 4, which uses a very effective scheme for reducing the sound level of a shot - “cutting off” the powder gases.
Pistol SME "Groza"
In the 1960-1970s. In the USSR, various types of silent small arms were developed for the so-called cartridge with cut-off of powder gases. This weapon belongs to systems with the expansion of powder gases in a variable-closed volume and is intended to hit targets in special operations that require silent and flameless shooting.
One of the first types of weapons chambered for a cartridge with a cut-off of powder gases was created by the designers of the Tula Arms Plant in the late 1960s. It was a pistol with the factory designation T03-37 M. It was adopted into service by the Soviet Army and the KGB of the USSR in 1972 under the designation “7.62 mm small-sized special pistol (SME).” It was also given the name "Thunderstorm".
Pistol PB
The PB pistol (“silent pistol”, index GRAU 6 P9) was developed by the designer of the TsNIITOCHMASH enterprise A. A. Deryagin. It was adopted by the Soviet Army in 1967. The main purpose of the pistol is to silently defeat the enemy at short distances.
The PB was developed on the basis of the Makarovn PM pistol and is distinguished, first of all, by a modified design of the barrel and bolt, integrated with a silencer. The muffler consists of a casing with an expansion chamber placed on the barrel and a nozzle with a separator screwed to the front of the casing. When fired, the powder gases following the bullet enter the expansion chamber, where they lose energy and speed. For the same purpose, a nozzle with a separator is used, in which powder gases swirl in counter-flows. As a result, powder gases flow out of the hole in the front of the muffler at subsonic speed, without producing the sound of a shot. At the same time, complete muffling of all sound sources is not ensured; the sound is sharp
At all times, it was believed that special forces units have the best weapons. The secret services of the Russian Federation and former USSR. Which of the unusual domestic developments are used by the FSB and GRU - later in the review.
VSS "Vintorez"
In the 1970s, the USSR raised the question of the need to arm snipers with silent weapons. It was not possible to simply “screw” a silencer onto a rifle; it was necessary to develop a fundamentally new design. In 1981, the 6P29 sniper rifle was introduced, the capabilities of which amazed specialists. The weapon weighed only 2.2 kilograms and at a distance of 400 meters easily pierced a metal helmet and a 25-mm pine board. Even at the design bureau, the weapon was given the name “Vintorez”, which then stuck.
State Security Committee (KGB) of the USSR and Main intelligence agency The USSR General Staff (GRU GSh) were the main customers for such weapons. A new 9mm cartridge was developed to meet their requirements. The combination of the design of the rifle and the cartridge gave silent and flameless shooting in both single and burst modes. Only in complete silence could one hear the whistle of a bullet and the knock of metal parts of the trigger mechanism.
After the emergence of VSS in Russian army, Kalashnikov assault rifles with silencers began to be sent to warehouses as outdated. "Vintorez" was used by special forces in the First and Second Chechen war, Georgian-Ossetian conflict, in anti-terrorist operations. The Alpha and Vympel snipers highly appreciated the capabilities of covert shooting. The rifle is also used to protect top officials of the state. When disassembled, the BCC fits into an inconspicuous suitcase-diplomat.
A special silent automatic machine “Val” was developed on the basis of Vintorez. The differences are small: a 20-round magazine and a folding stock.
TKB-506
In the early 1950s, the famous gunsmith designer Igor Stechkin received an unusual order. For the KGB of the USSR he designed a compact silent weapon. The TKB-506 three-shot pistol had a body simulating a cigarette case. The device fired special cartridges of increased power. Thanks to this, from a distance of 5 meters, a bullet pierced 3 pine boards. Unfortunately, due to the specifics of its use, the details of the use of TKB-506 are not known.
PP-90
In the early 1990s, by order of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Tula KBP developed the PP-90 submachine gun. This is a compact melee weapon designed for concealed carry. When folded, the PP-90 is a small pencil case 28 centimeters long.
The PP90 and PP-93 submachine guns are used by soldiers of SOBR, OMON, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and cash-in-transit units. The PP can be additionally equipped with a laser target designator and a silencer.
APS
The Underwater Special Automatic (APS) became the world's first automatic weapon that can be fired underwater. It was developed to arm saboteur divers. The development of Soviet engineers was adopted by the troops in 1975 and is still in use today. The main highlight of the weapon is the 12-centimeter 5.66 mm bullets, which experience reduced resistance when moving in water. Sighting range under water is 30 meters, and in the air - 100 meters. For comparison, bullets fired from conventional weapons fly no more than a meter under water.
Despite excellent underwater results, APS is not very suitable for use on shore. Therefore, Tula gunsmiths modernized the design, creating a new Automatic Double Medium Special (ADS).
TP-82 SONAZ
In 1965, Soviet cosmonauts Leonov and Belyaev landed in the taiga, where they had to survive among wild animals for two days. The weapon they had was a Makarov pistol, the capabilities of which are very limited. While visiting Tula gunsmiths, Leonov proposed creating a special weapon for Soviet cosmonauts.
TP-82 SONAZ (Small Weapon Carryable Emergency Reserve) is called the “cosmonaut pistol”, since it was officially included in the list of items that fly into space and back. TP-82 is three-barreled, chambered for 12.5 mm and 5.45 mm caliber cartridges. It is easy to make a carbine out of a pistol by attaching a machete stock. Using it, you can make a path, chop branches, dig a hole.
In total, from 30 to 100 TP-82 pistols were produced, which all Soviet and Russian cosmonauts were taught to use.
Laser pistol
Another weapon developed for astronauts is radically different from anything created before. In 1984, employees of the Strategic Missile Forces Military Academy presented their development. The laser gun uses disposable flash bulbs that produce bright light and temperature. In the direction of action of the laser gun, human eyes and optical instruments may be damaged. Moreover, the casing spaceship and the suit remains intact.
The thermal and light effects of a laser pistol are achieved at a distance of up to 20 meters. The compact weapon with an 8-round magazine can even fire semi-automatically.
Good day, airsoft players, militarists and all concerned. Today we are starting a series of articles about various law enforcement agencies. We will talk about Russian special units, and about the special forces of the rest of the civilized world. We will touch on the interesting features of a particular unit, learn about training regimes, standards and similar things that may be of interest to both airsoft players and people simply not indifferent to military topics. We decided to start with the guys who serve in the special forces of the Federal Security Service, that is, the FSB.
Naturally, there is no complete information about the training of FSB special forces soldiers and there will not be in open access, which in principle is logical. However, a certain amount of knowledge has nevertheless become public knowledge and thanks to it we can at least somewhat imagine the scope of tasks and how difficult the goals are facing those who serve in the FSB special forces detachment.
The FSB special forces are not at all a single consolidated detachment. The special forces of the FSB of Russia include quite a few a large number of divisions. In fact, the FSB special forces includes many Regional Special Purpose Departments, and has representative offices in cities such as Khabarovsk, Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Nizhny-Novgorod (the second department in Sarov), Yekaterinburg "Malachite", Novosibirsk and many others.
Of course, the most recognizable and famous are the special forces units Directorate “A” (Alpha), Directorate “B” (Vympel). The fame must be said to be well deserved - a clear confirmation of this can be considered the performance of ALPHA fighters at the international competition Super SWAT International Round-Up 2011, where the guys took two first places at once, and the title of the best international team.
In general, initially Group Alpha consisted of only 13 people, and their main task was to protect the diplomatic missions of the Seventh Directorate of the KGB of the USSR. By the time of collapse Soviet Union The number of Group A, taking into account regional divisions, was already about 500 people.
“Alpha” acquired celebrity and wide publicity, and even the name itself, in 1991 - by the way, the name came from an easy suggestion from journalists, and eventually stuck.
The special forces officers of Directorate “A” are tasked with a very wide range of tasks. Just look at the incomplete list of countries where the guys had to perform combat missions. In addition to Russia, Alpha fighters managed to visit such countries as Cuba, Jordan, Afghanistan, Switzerland, USA, Israel, England, France, Canada...
FSB special forces training, as a rule, is carried out in non-standard conditions in order to prepare fighters for an adequate response, regardless of the prevailing circumstances - this includes not only various variations of kill-house and a standard set of exercises aimed at improving skills in using small arms, but also joint training with other units, and not only from Russia. Naturally, the FSB special forces also have their own developments in terms of training and tactics - the most effective things are state secrets and are not subject to disclosure.
Since the 70s, almost all the most modern models of special small arms have passed through the hands of Alpha. Pistols, rifles, machine guns - this whole wide range of weapons goes to the guys from Alpha, and the best samples remain there permanently. The group's employees use the most technologically advanced and advanced body armor and other protective equipment with maximum level protection. The soldiers are trained to use not only the most modern domestic machine guns, machine guns and sniper rifles, but also samples of foreign weapons. In special cases, Alpha does not even disdain crossbows and other exotic weapons and equipment.
Despite all the secrecy in terms of training and training of special forces, some information is still available to ordinary citizens. For example, on the Internet you can stumble upon staffing standards FSB special forces.
Standards and requirements for combat and physical training for FSB special forces officers
- Running 100 m. (Shuttle run 10 to 10) - 12.7 s (25 sec)
- Cross 3000 m - 11.00 min
- Push-ups - 90
- Pull-up - 25
- Press (lying on your back, flexion-extension of the torso) - 100
- Bench press (your own weight, but not more than 100 kg) - 10 times
A brief summary of standards for hand-to-hand combat for FSB special forces operatives
- Demonstration of punching and kicking techniques - 2 min. On a punching bag
- Sparring according to free rules with throws and painful techniques- 3 battles of 3 minutes each.
- Jumping up with changing legs - 90
Other standards for special forces soldiers of the FSB of Russia
Complex strength exercise (performed sequentially 8 times: - 10 push-ups, 10 presses, 10 times squatting, 10 jumping ups). 8 reps (no pause)
It should be noted that All exercises are performed one at a time without rest breaks!
A significant part of the Alpha group operatives know how to drive all types of cars, are familiar with operating a huge number of types of armored vehicles, and have special mountaineering and diving training. Separate category Alpha special forces employees have serious flight training skills. All this is designed to solve the most important and important task - to neutralize and eliminate the terrorist threat and at the same time preserve the lives of people who find themselves hostages in the hands of terrorists.
Finally, I would like to say a note to the reenactors - if you are going to get used to the image of Alpha, then try to pay serious attention to physical training. Alpha is, first of all, skills and endurance, and only then equipment and weapons.