French rocket artillery in the Crimean War of 1853-1856

This article is devoted to the analysis of the production and application of French rocket artillery in the Crimean War of 1853-1856. The paper examines the technical characteristics, tactics of use, and the impact of rocket weaponry on the course of military operations. The aim of the research is to study the design features of French combat rockets of the mid-19th century and their role in the Crimean War. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that an analysis of French rocket artillery in the context of military technologies of the mid-19th century was conducted for the first time, its tactical and technical characteristics are described, and a comparison is also made with similar systems of allies and opponents. The work uses little-studied archival materials, which makes it possible to rethink the effectiveness of rocket weaponry. The results of the study show that the French rockets of the 1849 system had improved stabilizers, which increased the flight range. They played a significant role in the siege of Sevastopol and the attack on Malakhov Kurgan. An analysis of historiography was carried out and it was revealed that the Crimean War became an important stage in the development of rocket technologies, which influenced the further improvement of artillery systems in France.