Popular Mechanics in May

The world’s best-known firearm now has a successor. In an exclusive interview with Popular Mechanics, the chief designer of the Izhmash plant describes the AK-12, the "new Kalashnikov."

Significant coverage is also devoted to energy of the future. Readers will learn how high-temperature superconductors could transform our lives, the meaning of enigmatic terms used in thermonuclear fusion and whether the Sahara Desert will become an El Dorado of energy for Europe. A space-themed article presents the latest scientific views on the age of the universe and information about a flying spaceport project.

Per tradition, the May issue also includes a series of articles on military history: stories on the legendary Katyusha rocket launcher and little-known projects in the Soviet Union and Hitler’s Germany to create rocket-propelled projectiles.

Also in this issue:

Which is worse for your health – sugar or sugar substitutes?
How the Chinese learned to build a skyscraper in 36 hours, and whether such a building will last for long;
An airport instead of the Kremlin: the "aerotropolis" as the city of the future;
Starch, a subwoofer and a lot of fun: playing with non-Newtonian fluids;
The Indy 500 – the cradle of automotive technology.