Small, medium and large arrays for the study of cosmic rays of ultra-high energies existing are aimed at obtaining information about our Galaxy and metagalactic space. Concretely search and study of astronomical objects, that forms flux of relativistic particles that fill outer space. The drift and interaction of such particles with magnetic field and shock waves taking place in interstellar space causes the same interest. The shape of the energy spectrum of cosmic rays in the energy range 10 15 −10 18 eV, where "knee" and "second knee" is observed, can be formed as a superposition of the partial spectra of various chemical elements. Verification of galactic models, using recent experimental spectral data, makes it possible to study the nature of the galactic and metagalactic components of cosmic rays. The paper presents the result of the energy spectrum of cosmic rays in the range 10 16 − 10 18 eV measurements obtained at the Small Cherenkov array -a part of the Yakutsk array.