ZSU-23-4

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ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"

ZSU-23-4V at the Technical Museum in Togliatti, Russia
Type Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun
Place of origin Flag of the Soviet Union Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1962 - present
Used by See Operators and former operators
Wars See Combat history
Production history
Designed 1957 - 1962
Manufacturer Mytishchi Engineering Works (MMZ)
Produced 1964 - 1982
Number built ~6,500[1]
Specifications
Weight 19 tonnes[2][3]
Length 6.535 m[3]
Width 3.125 m[3]
Height 2.576 m (3.572 m with elevated radar)[2][4]
Crew 4 (commander, driver, gunner, radar operator)
Armor welded steel, 9.2 mm turret, up to 15 mm hull[5]
Primary
armament		 4 x 23 mm 2A7 autocannons (AZP-23 "Amur" quad automatic anti-aircraft gun), ammunition 2,000 rounds
Engine V-6R, 6-cylinder 4-stroke airless-injection water cooled 19.1 litre diesel
280 hp (209 kW) at 2,000 rpm[6]
Power/weight 14.7 hp/tonne (11.0 kW/tonne)
Suspension individual torsion bar with hydraulic shock absorbers of 1st, 5th left and 6th right road wheels
Ground clearance 400 mm[3]
Fuel capacity 515 l[8]
Operational
range		 450 km (road), 300 km (off-road)[7]
Speed 50 km/h (road), 30 km/h (off-road)[7]

The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a lightly armored, self-propelled, radar guided anti-aircraft weapon system (SPAAG). ZSU stands for Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka, "anti-aircraft self-propelled mount". It is named after the Russian Shilka River.

Contents

[edit] History

The previous Soviet Union self-propelled anti aircraft gun (SPAAG), the ZSU-57-2, was armed with two 57 mm cannons, it was aimed optically using a basic tracking and lead calculating system. The ZSU-57-2 was not particularly successful; it could only carry a small number of rounds, was inaccurate, and had only limited mobility.

The ZPU series of guns were a major step forward, providing 14.5 mm heavy machine guns carried on a towed mount for stationary, point air-defence. The 23 mm version of this weapon system was known as the ZU-23-2, a towed mount carrying two 23 mm cannons.

The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" was brought into service in 1965 and replaced all ZSU-57-2 in air defense units toward the beginning of 1970s. Initially, tank regiment should have the antiaircraft artillery battalion of "Shilka" (consisted of two batteries, four "Shilka" in each). In the end of 1960s one battery was equipped with ZSU-23-4 and another - with ZSU-57-2. Motorized rifle and tank regimets got standard antiaircraft battery consisted of two platoons later (one platoon was equipped with four "Shilka" and another - with four mobile surface-to-air missile systems 9K31 Strela-1 or 9K35 Strela-10). ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" combined a proven radar system, the non-amphibious chassis based on GM-575 tracked vehicle and four 23 mm cannons. This delivered a highly effective combination of mobility with heavy firepower and considerable accuracy. The ZSU-23-4 outclassed all NATO anti-aircraft guns at the time, and it is still regarded as posing a major threat for low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

The system was widely fielded throughout the Warsaw Pact, other pro-Soviet states and Middle East states (~2,500 ZSU-23-4 from ~6,500 produced were exported to 23 countries). The Soviet Union's successor states continue to manufacture and supply variants of the Shilka, notably the Ukrainian 4M4 and the Belorussian 4M5.

Two view ZSU-23-4 graphic
Two view ZSU-23-4 graphic
ZSU-23-4 at Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel
ZSU-23-4 at Yad la-Shiryon Museum, Israel

Shilka units saw active service in the Yom Kippur War (1973) and other Arab-Israeli conflicts, the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988), the First Gulf War (1990), and possibly in the various Indo-Pakistan conflicts. During the 1973 Yom Kippur War, the system was particularly effective against the Israeli Air Force. Israeli pilots attempting to fly low in order to avoid SA-6 missiles were often shot down by the Shilka. During the Soviet-Afghan War "Shilka" units were used widely and to great effect against mujahideen positions in the mountains, the Shilka's guns being able to elevate to a much higher azimuth than the weapons on BMPs, BTRs, or T-55s, and T-62s.[9] They were also used to suppress defensive positions around the presidential palace during the initial coup in Kabul at the start of the Soviet-Afghan war. Russian Army uses "Shilka" for mountain combats in Chechnya also.

[edit] Capabilities

Side view at Camp Pendleton.
Side view at Camp Pendleton.

Based on the chassis of the GM-575 track vehicle which used components from PT-76 light amphibious tank, the ZSU-23-4 mounts an armoured turret holding four liquid-cooled 23 mm autocannon 2A7 linked to an RPK-2 "Tobol" Radar (nicknamed "Gun Dish"). The vehicle weighs 19 tonnes, has a range of 450 km and a top speed of 50 km/h. Additional firepower can be supplied by a roof-mounted pod of six short-range SA-18 SAMs, or side mounted SA-16s.

The driver's compartment locates in the nose part of the vehicle, fighting compartment - in the middle and engine compartment locates in the rear part of the vehicle. The transmission consists of a multiplate main clutch of metallic contact, manual gearbox with five forward gears, two planetary two-step steering gears with locking frictions and two final drive groups. The vehicle chassis has six single rubber tired roadwheels, rear drive sprocket with detachable sprocket rings (lantern-wheel gear) and idler wheel per side. The first, fifth left and sixth right roadwheels have hydraulic shock absorbers. The track is 382 mm wide and has 93 links.

Each water-cooled 23 mm autocannon 2A7 has a cyclic rate of 850-1,000 rounds per minute for a combined rate of fire of 3,400-4,000 rounds per minute. Ammunition is 2000 rounds stowed aboard (480 rounds per each upper autocannon and 520 rounds per each lower autocannon) in belts for 50 rounds. Welded turret has a race ring from T-54 medium tank with a diameter 1,840 mm. The 360° rotatory turret is fully stabilised and capable of firing on the move. Quad automatic anti-aircraft gun AZP-23 "Amur" has a range of elevation from -4° to +85°. GRAU designation for ZSU-23-4 turret with 23 mm AZP-23 "Amur" quad automatic gun is 2A10.

HEI-T (High Explosive Incendiary-Tracer), and API-T (Armour-Piercing Incendiary-Tracer) rounds are fired at muzzle velocity 980 m/s. They can be fired to a maximum horizontal range of 7 km (4.3 mi), and a vertical range of 5.1 km (3.2 mi). The effective anti-aircraft direct range is around 2.5 km (1.6 mi). In attacking targets on the ground, its effective range is 2 km (1.3 mi).

The RPK-2 "Tobol" radar operates in the J band and can detect aircraft 12-20 km away. It has excellent target tracking capability and is relatively hard to detect. Under 60 m (200 ft) of altitude however, the radar picks up many false returns (ground clutter). The antenna of radar is mounted on collapsible supports in the rear part of turret top. There is optical alignment sight also. Regardless, pilots consider the Shilka to be an extremely dangerous weapons system. It is either avoided completely or engaged first.

ZSU-23-4 is equipped with NBC system, fire-fighting equipment, TNA-2 navigational system, R-123 radio set, R-124 intercom and electrical power supply system consisting of DG4M-1 single-shaft gas turbine engine (70 hp at 6,000 rpm) and direct-current generator.

ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" can cross 0.7 m high vertical obstacles, 2.5 m wide trenches, 1.0 m fording depth and climb 30° gradients[3]

[edit] Problems

The Shilka has a few significant problems, most notable being that the Shilka is not heavily armored, and is thus vulnerable to anti-tank rockets, cannon, and even machine-gun rounds. The relatively short range of its guns also means it is less able to engage modern threats. For that reason modern systems like the 9K22 Tunguska also have integrated missile armament.

[edit] Deployment

ZSU-23-4 photo by GulfLINK.
ZSU-23-4 photo by GulfLINK.
ZSU-23-4 at the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Kiev.
ZSU-23-4 at the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Kiev.

Soviet doctrine supplied the vehicle in a platoon of four to support Motor Rifle or armor regiments in conjunction with medium-range SA-6 and short-range SA-9 teams. The system is very vulnerable to enemy fire; the armour is thin (maximum of 10 mm) and the exposed suspension, wheels, track, radar, and gun barrels can easily be damaged. Shilka units are typically placed near the forward-edge of battle-area (FEBA) but behind the main force.

The guns are useful against low-flying aircraft and lightly protected ground targets. Due to its effectiveness against ground targets, the ZSU units have been effectively used in urban environments (e.g., Chechnya, Lebanon). This is primarily because of the high rate of fire of their cannons. While a main battle tank can inflict substantially more damage per round, the anti-aircraft guns can fire at a comparatively much higher rate. [10]

With its high rate of accurate fire, the Shilka can even neutralize tanks by destroying their gun sights, radio antennas, etc. The crew numbers four: driver, commander, gunner and radar operator.

[edit] Variants

  • ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" (1964): pre-production and then initial production models.
    • ZSU-23-4V "Shilka" (1968): modernized variant with enhanced reliability of some details, ventilation system case located on the right side of the hull. Commander vision device was added.
      • ZSU-23-4V1 "Shilka" (1970): modernized variant with enhanced reliability of radar system and other details, ventilation system cases located on front bilges of the turret. Guidance-system computer was improved (as well as accuracy and efficiency of anti-aircraft fire on the move at 40 km/h). Fitted with a slightly improved diesel engine V-6R-1.
        • ZSU-23-4M "Biryusa" (1973): armed with modernized autocannons 2A7M - pneumatic loading was replaced with pyrotechnic loading (unreliable compressor was removed), welded tubes of coolant outlet were replaced with flexible pipes which increased autocannon barrel life from 3500 rounds to 4500 rounds.
          • ZSU-23-4MZ "Biryusa" (Z stands for "zaproschik" - interrogator) (1977): equipped with identification friend-or-foe system "Luk". All ZSU-23-4M were upgraded to ZSU-23-4MZ level during scheduled repairs. It should be noted that army unofficially continued to use the name "Shilka" for all variants of ZSU-23-4.
  • ZSU-23-4M2 (1978): so called "Afghan" variant. Reequipment performed during the Soviet War in Afghanistan for mountain combats. Radar system was removed and night-sight was added. Ammunition increased from 2,000 rounds to 4,000 rounds.
  • ZSU-23-4M4 (1999): modernized variant armed with two additional paired man-portable air-defense systems "Igla" (on each side of the turret) and equipped with laser emission sensors, electron-optical vision devices (including television system for driver). Mechanical transmission was replaced on hydrostatic transmission, hydraulic boosters were installed. Mobility increased to the level of main battle tanks. First shown on public during exhibition MAKS-99 in Zhukovsky (city).
  • Donets (1999): Ukrainian modernization developed by Malyshev Tank Factory in Kharkiv . Improved turret from ZSU-23-4 armed with two additional paired man-portable air-defense systems "Strela-10" was installed on chassis from T-80UD main battle tank. Ammunition for 23 mm autocannons increased two times.
  • ZSU-23-4MP "Biała" (2000): Polish upgrade, Grom anti-aircraft missiles, fully digital passive aiming devices instead of radar.

[edit] Combat history

[edit] Operators and former operators

[edit] References

  • Zaloga S. ZSU-23-4 Shilka & Soviet Air Defense Gun Vehicles, Concord 1039, ISBN 962-361-039-4
  • Shirokorad A. "Shilka" i drugie otechestvennye ZSU ("Shilka" and Other Native SPAAGs), Bronekollektsiya, 1998, No. 2.
  1. ^ Самоходная артиллерия - Военный паритет: мобильная МБР Тополь, основной боевой танк Т-90, истребитель МиГ-29, ракета Булава, ракеты средней дальности
  2. ^ a b ЗСУ-23-4 "Шилка" - Army.lv
  3. ^ a b c d e В Боях На «Шилке»
  4. ^ СВЗРИУ
  5. ^ ЗСУ-23-4 Шилка
  6. ^ Зенитная Самоходная Установка ЗСУ-23-4 "Шилка"
  7. ^ a b ZSU-23-4 'Shilka'
  8. ^ ПВЗРККУ: ЗСУ-23-4 "Шилка"
  9. ^ Russian General Staff(translated and edited by Lester Grau and Michael Gress)(2002); The Soviet-Afghan war: how a superpower fought and lost; University Press of Kansas; ISBN 0-7006-1185-1 , p. 38
  10. ^ Brecher, Gary, "War Nerd: Lynch Mobs and Apaches", the eXile #164, April 17, 2003.
  11. ^ Former Czechoslovak and Soviet state factories ZSU-23-4 Quad 23 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (Russian Federation) - Jane's Electro-Optic Systems
  12. ^ MILITARIUM - Wojsko Polskie - Uzbrojenie

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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