ZSU-23-4 Shilka 23mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system data

: 25 November 2022

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ZSU-23-4 armoured vehicle self-propelled anti-aicraft gun

Description

Technical Data

Specifications

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Description

The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a Russian lightly armored, self-propelled, radar-guided anti-aircraft weapon system (SPAAG). The ZSU-23-4 Shilka was developed in the early 1960s and was first seen in public during a parade in Moscow in November 1965. The ZSU-23-4 proved highly effective during the 1973 Middle East war and accounted for a large number of Israeli aircraft losses. The ZSU-23-4 was also used in both North and South Vietnam and in the Arabian Gulf war by the Iranian and the Iraqis.

Russian Variants :
- 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). It is 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" - inquirer) (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 developed by Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant. The vehicle 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) and improved weapon radar system. 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.

Technical Data

Armament

The main armament is composed of four AZP-23 23 mm canons with an elevation of +85° to - 4°, and 360° turret traverse. The 23 mm canon is gas operated with a vertically moving breech-block locking system that drops to unlock and has a cyclic rate of fire of 800 to 1000 rounds per minute per barrel. The ZSU-23-4 Shilka can engage targets using only one or two of the four canons. It has the capability to both acquire and track low-flying aircraft targets, with an effective AA (Anti-Aircraft) range of 2,500 m.

Design and protection

A large turret is mounted to the center of the chassis. The commander, gunner and range operator are seated in the large square turret. The guns and ammunition are in the forward part of the turret and separated from the crew by a gas-tight and armored bullhead. Access to the guns and ammunition is by two large hatches, one on either side of the turret roof, which is hinged in the center and open vertically. The all-welded hull of the ZSU-23-4 is divided in three compartments, the driver at the front, combat at the center and the engine at the rear. The armor protection is 15 mm at 55° for the glacis plate, and hull sides and 10 mm for the hull rear and the turret sides.

Propulsion

The ZSU-23-4 Shilka is based on the GM-575 tracked vehicle chassis, which used components from the PT-76 light amphibious tank. The engine and the transmission are at the rear of the hull as is the DG4M-1 gas turbine coupled to a manual gearbox with 5 forwards and 1 reverse gears. The torsion bar suspension system consists of six single rubber-tired road wheels with the idler at the front and the drive sprocket at the rear. There are no track return rollers.

Accessories

The ZSU-23-4 Shilka is equipped with an NBC system with an air filtration unit, fire-fighting equipment, TNA-2 navigational system, infrared vision device, R-123 radio set, R-124 intercom and electric power supply system consisting of a DG4M-1 single-shaft gas turbine engine and a direct-current generator.

Specifications

Armament

Four 23 mm canons

Country users

Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Belarus, Bulgaria, Congo, Cuba, Egypt, Russia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Laos, Libya, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, North Korea, Peru, Poland, Somalia, Syria, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.

Designer Company

Russian state arsenals.

Accessories

NBC protection,fire-fighting equipment, infrared night vision, electric power supply, firing control system and radar.

Crew

4 soldiers

Armor

Maximum 15 mm

Weight

19,000 kg
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Speed

44 km/h on road