Russia has a dominant position in space thanks to its developments. This refers to the series of Almaz orbital manned stations, one of which received a 23-mm Nudelman-Rikhter cannon (NR-23). This is according to military expert Brandon J. Weichert, writing for The National Interest.
Work on the Almaz program began in the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, when the US and the USSR were trying to expand their capabilities in space. The Soviet leadership viewed space as a new frontier for asserting its dominance and countering perceived threats from the West.
The Almaz project was created as a counterweight to the American MOL (Manned Orbiting Laboratory) station. And for its time, it was an "engineering marvel."
The stations were equipped with sophisticated systems, including high-resolution cameras capable of capturing detailed images of military facilities and troop movements of Western countries. This was an important means of gathering intelligence.
According to Weichert, the Soviet military remotely tested the NR-23 cannon in space. Its placement on an orbital station meant the USSR's readiness for conflicts in space.
The Almaz, Salyut, and Mir station programs secured Russia's status as a dominant power in space both during and after the Cold War.
Read more on the topic:
The National Interest: Russian Loitering Munition "Lancet" Caused More Stir Than "Gepard"
