Shilka anti-aircraft self-propelled gun caliber. Anti-aircraft self-propelled gun "Shilka"

The Soviet ZSU "Shilka" is the most widespread anti-aircraft self-propelled gun in the world. This legendary fighting machine easily recognized as appearance, and the characteristic sound of shooting.

The Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was created by the combined efforts of several developers. The lead contractor was OKB-40 of the Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant (Chief Designer N.A. Astrov), the Leningrad OKB-357 (Chief Designer V.E. Pikkel) was engaged in the development of the instrumentation complex, the Tobol RPK was developed by the Design Bureau of the Tula Plant No. 668 (Chief Designer Ya. I. Nazarov), 23-mm automatic anti-aircraft gun "Amur" - OKB-575 (chief designer N. E. Chudakov).

"Shilka" was intended to replace the ZSU-57-2 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. It was developed for air defense of motorized rifle regiments in accordance with the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of April 17, 1957. Adopted by the Decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR of September 5, 1962. It was mass-produced at plant No. 535 (artillery unit) and MMZ (chassis and assembly) from 1964 to 1982.

MODIFICATIONS

ZSU-23-4 - a specially designed tracked vehicle GM-575 serves as a base. Department of management - in the bow, combat - in the middle, power - in the stern. The turret is equipped with a 23-mm AZP-23 Amur quadruple gun. Together with the turret, it has the GRAU 2A10 index, and the machine guns - 2A7. The total rate of fire is 3400 rds / min, the initial velocity of the projectile is 950 m / s, the slant range of fire against anti-aircraft targets is 2500 m. Pointing angles: horizontal - 360 °, vertical - 4 ° .. + 85 °. In the aft part of the turret roof, on folding racks, there is a radar antenna of the RPK-2 Tobol radar-instrument complex. The machine has a power supply system, which includes a single-shaft gas turbine engine of the DG4M-1 type, designed to rotate a DC generator, a PAZ system, navigation equipment TNA-2 and PPO. ZSU-23-4V is a modernized version. Improved reliability of various components and assemblies. The casing of the ventilation system is located on the right side of the hull. Introduced command guidance device.

ZSU-23-4V1 - an upgraded version of the ZSU-23-4V. The reliability of various components and assemblies has been increased, primarily the RPK. The casings of the ventilation system are located on the frontal cheekbones of the tower. The resource of the gas turbine unit has been increased.

ZSU-23-4M1 - modernized 2A7M assault rifles and 2A10M gun. Increased barrel survivability from 3000 to 4500 shots. Radar reliability improved and GTA resource increased from 600 to 900 hours.

ZSU-23-4M2 - modernization of the ZSU-23-4M1 for use in the mountainous conditions of Afghanistan. The RPK was excluded from the installation, due to which the ammunition load of shells was increased from 2000 to 3000 pieces, night vision equipment was introduced for firing at night at ground targets.

ZSU-23-4M3 "Biryusa" - ZSU-23-4M1 with the installation of the ground-based radio interrogator "Luk" of the radar identification system for air targets on the basis of "friend or foe".

ZSU-23-4M4 "Shilka-M4" - modernization with the installation of a radar control system and the possibility of installing an air defense system "Sagittarius". The introduction of the “Assembly M1” mobile reconnaissance and control center (PRRU) into the battery as a command post and the introduction of a telecode communication channel for the exchange of information between the ZSU and the command post in the ZSU. Replacing an analog computing device with a modern TsVS. A digital tracking system is being installed. Modernization of the caterpillar chassis, aimed at improving the controllability and maneuverability of the self-propelled vehicle and reducing the complexity of its maintenance and operation. An active night vision device, new means of communication, air conditioning, an automated control system for the performance of radio-electronic equipment.

ZSU-23-4M5 "Shilka-M5" - modernization of the ZSU-23-4M4 with the installation of a radar and optoelectronic control system.

OPERATION AND COMBAT APPLICATION

The ZSU-23-4 began to enter the troops in 1965, and by the beginning of the 1970s, the ZSU-57-2 was completely ousted from the air defense units. Initially, according to the state, the tank regiment relied on the Shilok division, which consisted of two batteries of four vehicles each. In the late 1960s, often one battery in a division was armed with Shilki, and the other with ZSU-57-2. Later, motorized rifle and tank regiments received a typical anti-aircraft battery, which included two platoons. One platoon had four Shilka ZSUs, and the other four Strela-1 self-propelled air defense systems (then Strela-10 air defense systems).

"Shilki" were widely used by the Soviet army in Afghanistan. Moreover, in the absence of air targets, this ZSU fully realized the ability to fire at ground targets in the mountains. A special “Afghan version” appeared - as unnecessary, the PKK was dismantled on it, due to which it was possible to increase the ammunition load to 4000 rounds. A night sight was also installed. Similarly, "Shilki" were used by the Russian army in Chechnya.

ZSU-23-4s were widely exported to the Warsaw Pact countries, the Middle East and other regions. They took an active part in the Arab-Israeli wars, the Iraqi-Iranian war, as well as in the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991.

DESIGN ZSU-23-4

Anti-aircraft self-propelled gun ZSU-23-4 belongs to the type of closed self-propelled guns with aft MTO.

A rotating tower is installed in the middle part of the hull, in which a quadruple automatic 23-mm anti-aircraft gun AZP-23 "Amur" with guidance drives, a radar-instrument search and guidance system RPK-2 "Tobol", ammunition and three crew members are placed. A rotating turret of increased manufacturing accuracy is mounted on a ball bearing of the T-54 tank turret. The hull and turret are welded from 6- and 8-mm armor plates.

The embrasure of the gun at the maximum elevation angle of the trunks is partially covered by a movable armor plate, the roller of which slides along the guide of the lower cradle. In the fighting compartment to the left of the gun is workplace the commander of the vehicle, on the right - the range operator, and between them - the search operator-gunner. The commander monitors the battlefield through periscope devices located in the rotating commander's cupola.

In a combat situation, the driver uses a BM-190 periscope device or two B-1 glass blocks for observation. Outside the combat situation, the driver-mechanic observes the terrain through his open hatch or through the windshield located in his hatch cover.

GUN AZP-23 "AMUR"

The turret is equipped with a 23-mm AZP-23 Amur quadruple gun. She, along with the tower, was assigned the index 2A10, the automatic guns - 2A7, and the power drives - 2E2. The operation of the automatic gun is based on the removal of powder gases through the side hole in the barrel. The barrel consists of a pipe, casings of the cooling system, a gas chamber and a flame arrester. The gate is wedge, with the lowering of the wedge down. The mass of one machine gun is 85 kg, the mass of the entire artillery unit is 4964 kg.

The supply of cartridges is lateral, the chambering is direct, directly from the link with a skewed cartridge. The right machines have the right feed of the tape, the left ones have the left one. The tape is fed into the receiving windows of the machines from the cartridge box. For this, the energy of powder gases is used, which actuates the feed mechanism through the bolt carrier, and in part - the energy of the recoil of automata. The gun is equipped with two boxes of 1000 rounds (of which 480 are on the upper machine, and 520 on the lower) and a pneumatic reloading system for cocking the moving parts of the machine guns in preparation for firing and reloading in case of misfires. Two automatic machines are mounted on each cradle. Two cradles (upper and lower) are mounted on the bed one above the other at a distance of 320 mm from each other in a horizontal position, the lower one is advanced forward by 320 mm in relation to the upper one.

The parallelism of the trunks is provided by a parallelogram link connecting both cradles. Two toothed sectors are attached to the lower cradle, which engage with the gears of the input shaft of the vertical guidance gearbox. The Amur gun is placed on a base placed on a ball shoulder strap. The base consists of upper and lower boxes. An armored tower is attached to the end of the upper box. Inside the base there are two longitudinal beams that serve as a support for the bed. Both cradles with machine guns attached to them swing on the trunnions in the bed bearings.

SHOOTING FEATURES

The supply of machine guns with shells is continuous. The rate of fire from four machine guns is 3600-4000 rds / min. Fire control - remote, with the help of electric triggers. The descent of the bolt carrier (that is, the opening of fire) is carried out either by the installation commander or the search operator. The number of machine guns assigned for firing, as well as the number of shots in the queue, is determined by the commander of the installation, depending on the nature of the target. The defeat of low-speed targets (aircraft, helicopters, paratroopers, ground targets) is carried out in short bursts of 3-5 or 5-10 shots per barrel. The defeat of high-speed targets (high-speed aircraft, missiles) is carried out in short bursts of 3-5 or 5-10 rounds per barrel, and if necessary - in long bursts of up to 50 rounds per barrel with a break between bursts of 2-3 s.

Regardless of the type of queue, after 120-150 shots per barrel, a break was made for 10-15 seconds to cool the barrels. Cooling of the barrels of machine guns during firing is carried out by an open-type liquid system with forced circulation of the liquid. As a coolant in summer time water is used, and in winter - KNIFE 65.

AMMUNITION

The gun ammunition includes 23-mm armor-piercing incendiary tracer (BZT) and high-explosive fragmentation-incendiary tracer (OFZT) projectiles. Armor-piercing projectiles BZT weighing 190 g do not have a fuse and explosive, but contain only an incendiary agent for tracing. OFZT fragmentation shells weighing 188.5 g have a MG-25 head fuse. Cartridge weight 450 g. Steel sleeve, disposable. The ballistic data of both projectiles are the same - muzzle velocity 980 m/s, table ceiling 1500 m, tabular range 2000 m. Every fifth cartridge in the tape is BZT.

RPK-2

The radar instrumentation complex RPK-2 (1A7) is located in the instrument compartment of the tower and consists of the 1RL33 radar station and the instrumental part of the Tobol complex. The radar station allows you to detect and track air targets, as well as accurately measure their current coordinates. The 1RL33 radar station operates in a pulsed mode in the centimeter wave range and is protected from active and passive interference. Detection of air targets by the station is carried out in a circular or sector (30-80 °) search, as well as in manual control mode. The station provides target acquisition for autotracking at ranges of at least 10 km at a flight altitude of 2000 m and at least 6 km at a flight altitude of 50 m. The station is mounted in the instrument compartment of the tower. The station antenna is located on the roof of the tower. In the non-working position, the antenna automatically folds and locks.

You might be interested:

• 
  23-mm anti-aircraft self-propelled artillery mount ZSU-23-4 (2A6) "Shilka"
• 
  
• 
  Self-propelled anti-aircraft gun-missile system 2K22 "Tunguska"

Designed to protect combat formations of troops, columns on the march, stationary objects and railway echelons from air strikes, helicopters, cruise missiles at altitudes up to 1500 m at slant range from 200 to 2500 m and flight speed up to 450 m/s. ZSU can also be used to destroy mobile and stationary ground targets at ranges up to 2000 m.

ZSU "Shilka" includes:

23-mm quad automatic anti-aircraft gun AZP-23-4;

Electro-hydraulic power servo drives;

Radio instrument complex RPK-2M;

Power supply system;

Tracked self-propelled;

Navigation equipment;

Day and night observation devices;

External and internal communication equipment;

Anti-nuclear defense equipment.

The composition of the RPK includes a gun-guided radar, a calculating device and a sighting device.

In any weather and visibility conditions, using the radar in the ZSU, the coordinates of the target are automatically determined, according to which the calculating device generates advance data for aiming the AZP-23-4 gun mount. Automatic aiming of guns is provided with the help of hydraulic power drives. Distinctive features gun machine AZP-23-4 are the presence of an electrical circuit for ensuring firing and forced interlayer cooling of the machine gun barrels.
The A3P - 23 -4 assault rifle provides a rate of fire of about 4000 rounds / min.

The effectiveness of firing at an aircraft located within the firing zone ranges from 0.05 to 0.25.

The ZSU-23-4 has an ammunition load of 2,000 rounds (shells).

The time for transferring the ZSU from the traveling position to the combat position is about 5 minutes, the combat crew is 4 people.

ZSU allows several ways to aim the gun at the target and fire. These methods determine the five modes of combat operation of the ESU. When the ZSU is operating in the first three modes, the gun is guided by the guidance actuators, which are included in the automatic guidance mode, according to the data coming from the PKK.

When working in the fourth and fifth modes, the gun is aimed at the right head (double sight) of the sighting device using the guidance actuators included in the semi-automatic guidance mode or (in the fifth mode) manually using the handwheels. Guidance drives in these modes are controlled by the search operator using the T-55M1 radar handle block. The ZSU has a number of interlocks, the operation of which excludes the possibility of turning on the power drives for guidance and firing. These locks are provided to ensure the safety of the crew and their troops during the combat operation of the ZSU. The interlocks are set so that the inclusion of the guidance actuators is possible only when the turret and the swinging part of the ARZ are locked, the driver's hatch is closed and the link collector hatch cover is closed.

Depending on the operating modes, the opening of fire is carried out either by the commander from the fire handle, or the search operator from the handle of the T-55M1 block, or using the trigger pedal.
After the ZSU-23-4 was adopted in 1962, it went through several upgrades.

The first modernization took place during 1968-1969, as a result of which the reliability of the operation of the installation increased, the living conditions for calculation improved, the resource of the gas turbine unit (GTA) was increased from 300 to 450 hours. commander's guidance device (CPN). The upgraded installation was named ZSU-23-4V.

In 1970-1971. the computing instrument was upgraded. This made it possible to increase the accuracy and efficiency of shooting, the reliability of auto-tracking of the target with an increase in the speed of the installation from 20 to 40 km / h, to increase the resource of the GTA from 450 to 600 hours. The installation was named ZSU-23-4V1. In 1971 - 1972 as a result of the development work, the survivability of the barrels was increased from 3000 to 4500 rounds, the reliability of the radar was improved, and the resource of the GTA was again increased from 600 to 900 hours. The installation became known as the ZSU-23-4M1.

During 1977 - 1978, a radio interrogator of the "friend or foe" aircraft identification system was installed in the installation. After that, ZSU "Shilka" was named ZSU-23-4MZ.

In 1978 - 1979, the following modernization of the Shilka ZSU was carried out in order to better use it in mountainous conditions, in particular, in combat formations in Afghanistan. night vision equipment for firing at night at ground targets. The upgraded installation called ZSU-23-4M2 proved to be effective in combat operations in the mountainous conditions of Afghanistan.

In the course of further modernization, radar and optical-location fire control systems, telecode equipment for exchanging information with the command post are being introduced into the installation. The radar and the main equipment of the installation have been transferred to a modern element base and digital signal processing, the units and mechanisms of the basic self-propelled gun have been improved.

ZSU turns into an anti-aircraft missile and gun system.

The probability of hitting a ZSU target increases (from 1 0.12 to 0.55 - 0.6), and each installation got the opportunity to receive target designation via a telecode communication channel from the command post.

Main characteristics:

We are smoothly moving from the ZSU-57-2 to the great (and I’m not at all afraid of this word) successor. "Shaitan-arbe" - "Shilke".

You can talk about this complex endlessly, but one short phrase is enough: "In service since 1965." And enough, by and large.

... The history of creation was replicated in such a way that it was unrealistic to add something new or piquant, but speaking of the Shilka, one cannot fail to note a few facts that simply enter the Shilka into our military history.

So, the 60s of the last century. Jet planes have already ceased to be a miracle, representing a very serious strike force. With completely different speeds and maneuverability. Helicopters also stood on the screw and were considered not only as a vehicle, but also as quite a decent weapon platform.

And most importantly, helicopters began to try to catch up with the planes of the Second World War, and the planes completely overtook their predecessors.

And something had to be done about all this. Especially at the army level, "in the fields."

Yes, anti-aircraft missile systems appeared. Still stationary. A promising thing, but in the future. But the main load was still carried by anti-aircraft guns of all sizes and calibers.

We have already talked about the ZSU-57-2 and the difficulties encountered by the calculations of installations when working on low-flying fast targets. Anti-aircraft systems ZU-23, ZP-37, ZSU-57 could hit high-speed targets by accident. Projectiles of installations, percussion, without a fuse, for a guaranteed defeat, had to hit the target itself. How high was the probability of a direct hit, I can not judge.

Things were somewhat better with batteries of S-60 anti-aircraft guns, which could be guided automatically according to the data of the RPK-1 radio instrument complex.

But in general, there was no longer any talk of any accurate anti-aircraft fire. Anti-aircraft guns could put a barrier in front of the aircraft, force the pilot to drop bombs or launch missiles with less accuracy.

"Shilka" was a breakthrough in the field of hitting flying targets at low altitudes. Plus mobility, which has already been evaluated by the ZSU-57-2. But the main thing is accuracy.

General Designer Nikolai Alexandrovich Astrov managed to create an incomparable machine that proved to be excellent in combat conditions. And more than once.

Small amphibious tanks T-38 and T-40, tracked armored tractor T-20 "Komsomolets", light tanks T-30, T-60, T-70, self-propelled gun SU-76M. And other, less known or not included in the series models.

What is the ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"?

Perhaps we should start with purpose.

"Shilka" is designed to protect the combat formations of troops, columns on the march, stationary objects and railway echelons from attack by an air enemy at altitudes from 100 to 1500 meters, at ranges from 200 to 2500 meters at a target speed of up to 450 m / s. "Shilka" can fire from a place and on the move, equipped with equipment that provides an autonomous circular and sector search for targets, their tracking, and the development of gun pointing angles.

The armament of the complex consists of a 23-mm quad automatic anti-aircraft gun AZP-23 "Amur" and a system of power drives designed for guidance.

The second component of the complex is the RPK-2M radar-instrument complex. Its purpose is also clear. Guidance and fire control.

This particular machine was modernized in the late 80s, judging by the commander's triplex and night sight.

An important aspect: "Shilka" can work with both radar and conventional sighting optical aiming device.

The locator provides search, detection, automatic tracking of the target, determines its coordinates. But in the mid-1970s, the Americans invented and began arming aircraft with missiles that could find a locator using a radar beam and hit it. This is where simplicity comes in handy.

Third component. Chassis GM-575, on which everything, in fact, is mounted.

The Shilka crew consists of four people: a ZSU commander, a search-gunner operator, a range operator and a driver.

The driver is the most thieves member of the crew. It is in simply stunning luxury, compared to others.

The rest are in the tower, where not only is it cramped and, like in a normal tank, there is something to put your head on, it can also (it seemed to us) to apply a current easily and naturally. Very closely.

Places for range operator and gunner-operator. Top view in a hung condition.

Locator Screen

Analog electronics... You look with awe. From the round screen of the oscilloscope, apparently, the operator determined the range ... Wow ...

Shilka received its baptism of fire during the so-called "War of Attrition" of 1967-70 between Israel and Egypt as part of the Egyptian air defense. And after that, the complex accounted for two dozen more local wars and conflicts. Mainly in the Middle East.

But Shilka received special recognition in Afghanistan. And the honorary nickname "Shaitan-arba" among the Mujahideen. The best way to calm an ambush organized in the mountains is to use the Shilka. A long burst of four barrels and the subsequent shower of high-explosive shells at the intended positions is the best means that saved more than one hundred lives of our soldiers.

By the way, the fuse worked quite normally when it hit an adobe wall. And the attempt to hide behind the duvals of the villages usually did not lead to anything good for the dushmans ...

Considering that the Afghan partisans did not have aviation, Shilka fully realized its potential for firing at ground targets in the mountains.

Moreover, a special "Afghan version" was created: a radio instrumentation complex was withdrawn, which was completely unnecessary in those conditions. Due to him, the ammunition load was increased from 2000 to 4000 rounds and a night sight was installed.

By the end of our troops' stay in the DRA, the columns escorted by the Shilka were rarely attacked. This is also a confession.

It can also be considered recognition that the Shilka is still in service in our army. Over 30 years. Yes, this is far from the same car that started its career in Egypt. "Shilka" underwent (successfully) more than one deep modernization, and one of these modernizations even received a proper name, ZSU-23-4M "Biryusa".

39 countries, and not only our "true friends", have acquired from Soviet Union these machines.

And today in service Russian army"Shilki" are also listed. But these are completely different machines, which are worth a separate story.

In September 1962, by order of the Minister of Defense of the USSR, the air defense ground forces was adopted all-weather self-propelled 23-mm artillery anti-aircraft complex(self-propelled anti-aircraft installation ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" (complex 2A6). ZSU "Shilka" was intended to provide air defense units of motorized rifle (tank) regiments in various conditions combat situation, including on the march, at different times of the year and day, in any weather. The main characteristics of "Shilka" and its foreign counterpart are given in the table. The head developer of the installation was the design bureau of the Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant (chief designer N.A. Astrov).

It is interesting to note that at the final stage of the development of the Shilka ZSU, clouds hung over its fate. This is how the Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper of September 12, 1992 describes it in the article “The proud secret of Almaz (telling for the first time)”. The fact is that in March 1961, state tests of the S-125 Neva anti-aircraft missile system developed by Design Bureau No. 1 (now the Almaz Research and Production Association) were successfully completed. The S-125 air defense system being developed was intended to combat low-flying air targets flying at altitudes of 200 meters and above at a distance of up to 10 km.

This served as the basis for ambiguous assessments of the need to complete the development of an anti-aircraft artillery system (ZSU "Shilka"), also designed to combat low-flying targets. In particular, in the governing bodies of the country, which at that time determined the development prospects domestic weapons, a draft decision was prepared to stop the development of the Shilka ZSU. When this decision was shown to the general designer of the S-125 air defense system, Academician A.A. Raspletin, he wrote on this document: “... Strongly against. ZSU can perform tasks in parallel with the S-125 air defense system. Work on the creation of the Shilka ZSU continued, and in 1962 it was put into service.

Since then, for many years, the S-125 air defense system and the Shilka ZSU took part in real hostilities on different continents, were operated by the troops, are still in service with the armies of many countries of the world, and have been repeatedly modernized. And almost forty years later, their last (in terms of time) modifications met at the international aerospace shows MAKS-99 and MAKS-2001, which were held in the city of Zhukovsky near Moscow. Words by Academician A.A. The scatter turned out to be prophetic: the S-125 air defense system, the Shilka ZSU and their modifications have been regularly serving in the military for almost half a century.

"Shilka" was the first self-propelled gun in the history of the development of domestic anti-aircraft weapons, which could effectively fire at air targets on the move. This quality was ensured by the presence of gyro stabilization along the line of sight and shot. The installation could also fire at ground targets, including lightly armored ones. ZSU-23-4 replaced the towed small-caliber anti-aircraft guns and anti-aircraft guns used in motorized rifle and tank regiments.

The following organizations participated in the development of the main elements and components of the ZSU-23-4:

• OKB-40 of the Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant of the Ministry of Transport Engineering of the USSR - the lead developer of the ZSU as a whole and the developer of the tracked chassis (the chief designer of the installation as a whole is N.A. Astrov);
• Leningrad Optical and Mechanical Association - developer of a radio instrument complex (RPK-2 "Tobol"), consisting of a tracking radar, a calculating device and optical means (the chief designer of the RPK is V.E. Pikkel);
• the design bureau of the Tula plant of radioelements (later the Research Institute "Strela" of the Ministry of Radio Industry of the USSR) - the developer of the tracking radar (chief designer of the radar - Ya.I. Nazarov);
• Central Design Research Bureau of Sports small arms(Tula) - developer of a quadruple 23-mm automatic anti-aircraft gun;
• All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Electromechanical Instruments of the USSR Ministry of Electrical Industry - developer of electrical equipment for the power supply system of ZSU and electric motors for drives;
• the Automotive Research Institute and the Kaluga Experimental Motor Plant of the USSR Ministry of the Automotive Industry are the developers of a gas turbine engine for the power supply system.

The composition of the ZSU "Shilka" includes the following elements:

• 23-mm quadruple automatic anti-aircraft gun (AZP-23-4) with ammunition;
• radio instrument complex (RPK);
• electrohydraulic power servo drives;
• day and night observation devices;
• means of communication.

All of the above ZSU equipment was placed on a tracked chassis with high cross-country ability. The combat operation of the anti-aircraft installation under all weather conditions was provided by a radio instrument complex, consisting of: a gun-guided radar, a calculating device and a sighting device. The radar made it possible to detect an air target in a circular or sector (within 30–80 degrees) search in azimuth and simultaneous search in elevation (within 30 degrees). Target capture was possible at ranges of at least 10 km at a flight altitude of 2000 m and at least 6 km at a flight altitude of 50 m. advance data for aiming guns at a predetermined point using hydraulic power drives.

ZSU-23-4 ensured the defeat of air targets flying at speeds up to 450 m / s, in a circular firing zone in range - up to 2500 m, in height - up to 2000 m. The AZP-23-4 anti-aircraft gun had a rate of fire of up to 4000 rounds per minute, ammunition installation - 2000 rounds. ZSU-23-4 was in service with motorized rifle (tank) regiments. It was part of an anti-aircraft missile and artillery battery, which consisted of two platoons: a platoon of the Strela-1 air defense system and a platoon of the Shilka ZSU, and later - a part of an anti-aircraft battery (six ZSU) of an anti-aircraft battalion of a motorized rifle (tank) regiment. The battery was controlled by the air defense chief of the regiment through the automated control post PU-12 (PU-12M). Commands, orders and target designation data were received by the ZSU using radio stations installed at the command post and combat vehicles. "Shilka" could be used not only to cover the units of the regiment from attacks by an air enemy operating at low and extremely low altitudes, but also to fight a ground enemy, including lightly armored targets.

It should be noted that simultaneously with the development of the ZSU-23-4, the design of an installation equipped with a twin 37-mm gun (ZSU-37-2 "Yenisei") was going on. The creation of this sample was entrusted to NII-20 of the USSR State Committee for Radio Electronics. For fire control, the Baikal radio-instrument complex was developed. Tests of prototypes of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns ZSU-23-4 and ZSU-37-2 were carried out at the Donguz test site in 1961. As a result of the tests, the ZSU-37-2 was not recommended for adoption due to the low survivability of guns and the lack of reliability of guns in general. It was also planned to install a 37-mm Shkval quad assault rifle on the Yenisei, which was not put into service due to low reliability.

The closest foreign analogue of the ZSU-23-4 in the 1960s was the American 20-mm six-barreled installation M163 ("Volcano"). It consisted of a 20-mm Vulkan six-barrel gun and fire control equipment, located on the basis of the M113A1 tracked armored personnel carrier. The fire control system included: a gyro-stabilized sight with a calculating device, a radar rangefinder and sighting devices. "Shilka" was in service with the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries, as well as many states of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. In combat conditions, it was used in the Arab-Israeli wars in the 1960s and 1970s.

In the Syrian army, batteries armed with ZSU "Shilka" were part of the anti-aircraft divisions tank divisions and individual tank brigades, and were also used to cover the batteries of the Kub (Square) air defense system. During the fighting, when repelling Israeli air raids, the Shilki operated autonomously. Fire on aircraft was opened from a range of 1500-2000 meters, as a rule, upon visual detection of an air target. However, it should be noted that radars were practically not used in combat conditions for a number of reasons. Firstly, fighting were carried out mainly on rough terrain, including mountainous, where the terrain did not allow to fully realize the capabilities of the radar to detect air targets (the line-of-sight range was short). Secondly, the Syrian combat crews were not sufficiently prepared to work on complex equipment and the use of radars preferred visual detection of air targets. Thirdly, radar installations have limited search capabilities without preliminary target designation, which was absent in those conditions. Nevertheless, as the experience of hostilities showed, the Shilka ZSU turned out to be enough effective tool, especially to deal with suddenly appearing low-flying air targets. The combat effectiveness of the ZSU-23-4 in these military conflicts was 0.15–0.18 per installation. At the same time, from 3300 to 5700 shells were taken for each downed air target. During October 1973, out of 98 aircraft shot down by Syrian air defense systems (ZRK Kvadrat, MANPADS Strela-2M, ZSU Shilka), ZSU accounted for 11. In April-May 1974, out of 19 shot down, the share of Shilok ” amounted to 5 aircraft. In addition, the ZSU-23-4 proved to be a highly maneuverable vehicle with good maneuverability in desert and mountainous terrain.

"Shilka" was widely used in combat operations in Afghanistan. However, here it was used not as an anti-aircraft weapon, but as a highly effective weapon to destroy ground targets. In this regard, it should be noted that the ZSU fire, in addition to the actual combat effect (fire destruction of objects, including lightly armored ones), also had a strong psychological impact on the enemy. A sea of ​​fire and a flurry of fragments created by the firing of a rapid-fire anti-aircraft gun often caused panic in the enemy and led to a temporary loss of combat capability.

After the ZSU-23-4 was adopted by the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (in 1962), this complex went through several upgrades. The first was carried out in 1968-1969, as a result of which the operational and ergonomic characteristics of the installation were improved, the living conditions for the calculation were improved, and the resource of the gas turbine unit was increased (from 300 to 450 hours). To guide the tracking radar to a visually detected air target, a commander's guidance device was introduced. The upgraded installation was named ZSU-23-4V.

Further modernization of the ZSU was carried out in the direction of improving the calculating device and increasing the reliability of the electronic equipment. The resource of the gas turbine unit was also increased from 450 to 600 hours. ZSU with these improvements received the name ZSU-23-4V1. The next modernization of the installation, carried out in 1971-1972, ensured an increase in the survivability of cannon barrels (from 3000 to 4500 shots), the resource of the gas turbine unit was also increased (from 600 to 900 hours). In 1977-1978, Shilka was equipped with the Luk interrogator of the friend-or-foe radar identification system for air targets. This modification was named ZSU-23-4M3.

The next modernization (1978–1979) was aimed at reorienting the installation to combat ground targets in any combat conditions. For this purpose, the radio instrument complex and associated equipment were removed from the installation housing. Due to this, the transportable ammunition load was increased (from 2,000 to 3,000 rounds), and night vision equipment was introduced, which makes it possible to fire at ground targets at night. This option was named ZSU-23-4M2.

Many years of experience in the operation and combat use of the Shilka ZSU showed its certain shortcomings:

• a small zone of effective shelling of air targets;
• insufficient projectile power to hit new types of targets;
• passing air targets unfired due to the impossibility of their timely detection by their own means.

Based on the generalization of operating experience and combat use of ZSU, it was concluded that new complex of this class should be as autonomous as possible, provide independent detection of low-flying targets using own funds detection, have more long-range means of destroying aircraft and helicopters. In order to expand the zone of fire of air targets (ensuring the defeat to the line of use of airborne weapons by them on covered objects), it was considered expedient to put additional missile weapons on the ZSU with an optical sighting and radio control system for missiles. As a result of the analysis of these conclusions, the requirements for a new complex of this type were formed. They became the Tunguska anti-aircraft gun-missile system.

At the same time, life has shown that the modernization potential of the ZSU-23-4, which was put into service back in 1962, has not yet been exhausted. So, at the international aerospace show MAKS-99, held in the city of Zhukovsky near Moscow in August 1999, a new installation (ZSU-23-4M5) was presented. As a result of this modification, the Shilka turned into a cannon-missile system, since in addition to the standard cannon armament, anti-aircraft guns were installed on the combat vehicle guided missiles MANPADS "Strela-2".

It should be noted that there are two options for such an upgrade: "Shilka-M4" (with a traditional radar control system) and "Shilka-M5" (with a radar and optical-location control system). The main enterprises for the modernization of the ZSU "Shilka" are the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant" and the Minsk company "Minotor-service". In the course of these upgrades, the ZSU equipment was transferred to a new element base, which has improved operational, weight and size characteristics and lower power consumption.

Optical-location system ZSU "Shilka-M5" provides search, detection, automatic and semi-automatic tracking of air targets. The company "Minotor-service" provided the modernization of the chassis and power plant. By changing the layout of the engine compartment, it was possible to place an auxiliary diesel engine that provides electricity in the parking lot. As a result, there is no power take-off from the main engine and its resource is not consumed. The ergonomic characteristics of the ZSU have been significantly improved: instead of traditional control levers, a motorcycle-type steering column has been installed. Improved overview of the environment, which is carried out using a video camera. This ensures driving the car and maneuvering in reverse in combat conditions. In order to increase the survivability of the installation, its thermal visibility was reduced, for which the most heated elements of the hull ( engine compartment, exhaust pipes) are covered with heat-absorbing material. Sensors are installed on the body that record the irradiation of the machine with a laser beam. The signals coming from such sensors are used to generate commands for shooting smoke grenades in the direction of the radiation source in order to disrupt the guidance of ATGMs with laser guidance systems. To increase the safety of the crew, seats with increased mine resistance are installed.

It is interesting to note that the waves of political transformations that shook our country at the end of the 20th century (the collapse of the USSR, the formation of independent states with their armies in its place, etc.) have reached the long-lived complex ZSU-23-4. In Ukraine, in the late 1990s, on the basis of "Shilka" at the Kharkov Tractor Plant. Malyshev developed the Donets missile and artillery complex. It uses the main elements of the following samples of the Soviet military equipment: ZSU-23-4 Shilka turret, Strela-10SV short-range air defense missiles, T-80UD tank chassis.

A distinctive feature of this complex is that on the sides of the tower with four 23-mm guns, two twin launchers with Strela-10SV air defense missiles are installed. Artillery weapons ensure the defeat of air targets at a distance of up to 2.5 km at a height of up to 2 km, missiles - at a distance of up to 4.5 km at a height of up to 3.5 km. Cannon ammo load increased to 4000 rounds.

The complex has equipment that provides reception of target designation from external sources. Changes were also made to the chassis - an APU appeared, which ensures the operation of the equipment of the combat vehicle in the parking lot with the main engine turned off. Crew - three people, weight - 35 tons. Organizationally, the anti-aircraft missile battery includes six Donets combat vehicles and one control vehicle on the chassis of the T-80 tank. It has a three-coordinate detection radar. When creating the complex, it was assumed that it would be exported to countries that had previously purchased tanks made in Kharkov. In particular, Pakistan, which purchased 320 T-80UD tanks from Ukraine.

You might be interested:

• 
  23-mm anti-aircraft self-propelled artillery mount ZSU-23-4 (2A6) "Shilka"

Almost simultaneously with the start of mass production of the ZSU-57-2, on April 17, 1957, the Council of Ministers adopts Resolution N9 426-211 on the development of new rapid-fire ZSU Shilka and Yenisei with radar guidance systems. It was a kind of response to the adoption of the M42A1 ZSU into service in the United States.

Formally, "Shilka" and "Yenisei" were not competitors, since the first was developed to provide air defense for motorized rifle regiments to hit targets at altitudes up to 1500 m, and the second for air defense of tank regiments and divisions and operated at altitudes up to 3000 m.

The ZSU-37-2 "Yenisei" used a 37-mm 500P assault rifle, developed in OKB-16 (chief designer A.E. Nudelman). 500P had no analogues in ballistics, and its cartridges were not interchangeable with other 37-mm automatic guns of the army and navy, with the exception of the small-scale Shkval anti-aircraft gun.

Especially for the Yenisei, OKB-43 designed the twin Angara cannon, equipped with two 500P belt-fed assault rifles. "Angara" had a system of liquid cooling of the trunks and servo electro-hydraulic drives, which were later planned to be replaced by purely electric ones. Guidance drive systems were developed by the Moscow TsNII-173 GKOT - for power servo guidance drives and the Kovrov branch of TsNII-173 (now VNII "Signal") - for stabilizing the line of sight and the line of fire.

Guidance of the Angara was carried out with the help of the interference-proof RPK Baikal, created at the NII-20 GKRE and operating in the centimeter wavelength range - about 3 cm. ", Neither "Baikal" on the "Yenisei" could independently search for an air target with sufficient efficiency, therefore, even in the resolution SM N9 426-211 of 04/17/1957, it was envisaged to create and transfer to state tests in the II quarter of 1960 a mobile radar "Ob" to control ZSU. The Ob included the Neva command vehicle with the Irtysh target designation radar and the Baikal RPK, located in the Yenisei ZSU. The Ob complex was supposed to simultaneously control the fire of six to eight ZSUs. However, in the middle of 1959, work on the Ob was stopped - this made it possible to speed up the development of the Krug anti-aircraft missile system.

The chassis for the Yenisei was designed at the Uralmash Design Bureau under the leadership of G.S. Efimov, based on the chassis of the SU-10OP experimental self-propelled gun. Its production was supposed to be deployed at the Lipetsk Tractor Plant.

The ZSU-37-2 had bulletproof armor, which provided protection against the 7.62 mm B-32 armor-piercing rifle bullet from a distance of 400 m in the places where the ammunition was placed.

For the power supply of the onboard network, the Yenisei was supplied with a special gas turbine engine, developed by NAMI, the use of which made it possible to ensure quick readiness for combat at low air temperatures.

Tests ZSU "Shilka" and "Yenisei" took place in parallel, although different programs(see table).

"Yenisei" had a kill zone in range and ceiling, close to the ZSU-57-2, and according to the conclusion of the State Commission "provided cover tank troops in all types of combat, since the means of air attack on tank troops mainly operate at altitudes up to 3000 m. Normal firing mode (tank) - a continuous burst of up to 150 rounds per barrel, then a break of 30 s (air cooling) and repeating the cycle until the ammunition load is used up.

During the tests, it was found that one ZSU "Yenisei" is superior in its effectiveness to a six-gun battery of 57-mm S-60 guns and a battery of four ZSU-57-2.

During tests, the ZSU "Yenisei" provided shooting in motion across the virgin soil at a speed of 20 - 25 km / h. When driving along a tank track at a training ground at a speed of 8 - 10 km / h, the accuracy of fire was 25% lower than from a standstill. The accuracy of the Angara cannon is 2-2.5 times higher than the S-68 cannon.

During the state tests, 6266 shots were fired from the Angara cannon. At the same time, only two delays and four breakdowns were noted, which amounted to 0.08% of delays and 0.06% of breakdowns from the number of shots fired, which is less than allowed for III. During the tests, the SDU (equipment for protection against passive interference) failed. The chassis also showed good maneuverability.

RPK "Baikal" functioned satisfactorily during the tests and showed the following results:

Target speed limit - up to 660 m/s at altitudes over 300 m and 415 m/s at altitudes of 100 - 300 m;

The average detection range of the MiG-17 aircraft in the 30 ° sector without target designation is 18 km (the maximum tracking range of the MiG-17 is 20 km);

The maximum target tracking speed vertically - 40 deg / s, horizontally - 60 deg / s. Translation time in combat readiness from pre-ready mode 10 - 15 s.

According to the data obtained during the tests, it was proposed to use the Yenisei to protect army anti-aircraft missile systems"Circle" and "Cube", since the zone of its effective firing blocked the dead zone of these air defense systems.

The Shilka, which was designed in parallel with the Yenisei, used the 2A7 assault rifle, which was a modification of the 2A14 assault rifle of the ZU-23 towed unit.

We remind the reader that in 1955 - 1959 several 23-mm towed installations were tested, but only the twin ZU-14 on a two-wheel drive, developed at the KBP under the leadership of N.M. Afanasyev and P.G. Yakushev, was adopted. The ZU-14 was officially put into service by Decree SM No. 313-25 of March 22, 1960 and was named ZU-23 (GRAU index - 2A13). She entered airborne troops The Soviet Army, was in service with the Warsaw Pact countries and many developing countries, participated in many local wars and conflicts. However, the ZU-23 had significant drawbacks: it could not accompany tank and motorized rifle units

niya, and the accuracy of its fire was reduced due to manual aiming and the absence of the PKK.

When creating the 2A7 machine, a casing with liquid cooling elements, a pneumatic reloading mechanism and an electric trigger were introduced into the 2A14 design. When firing, the barrels were cooled by running water or antifreeze through the grooves on their outer surface. After a burst of up to 50 shots (per barrel), a break of 2 - 3 seconds was necessary, and after 120 - 150 shots - 10 - 15 seconds. After 3000 shots, the barrel had to be replaced. In the ZIPe, the installation was supposed to have 4 spare barrels. The quad installation of 2A7 assault rifles was called the Amur gun (the army designation is AZP-23, the GRAU index is 2A10).

During the state tests, 14,194 shots were fired from the Amur gun and 7 delays were received, that is, 0.05% (0.3% was allowed according to TTT). The number of breakdowns is also 7, or 0.05% (according to TTT, 0.2% was allowed). The power drives for pointing the gun worked quite smoothly, stably and reliably.

RPK "Tobol" as a whole also worked quite satisfactorily. The target - the MiG-17 aircraft - after receiving target designation by radiotelephone, was detected at a distance of 12.7 km during a sector search of 30 ° (according to TTT - 15 km). The range of automatic target tracking was 9 km for approach and 15 km for removal. The RPK worked on targets flying at speeds up to 200 m / s, but according to the test data, a calculation was made that proved that the limit of its work in terms of target speed was 450 m / s, that is, it met the TTT. The value of the RPK sector search was adjusted from 27° to 87°.

During sea trials on a dry dirt road, a speed of 50.2 km / h was reached. At the same time, the fuel supply was enough for 330 km and still remained for 2 hours of operation of the gas turbine engine.

ZSU-2E-4V in the exposition of the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, engineering troops and signal troops in St. Petersburg. On the sides of the turret in front are boxes of spare parts and accessories, typical for vehicles of early production. On the right side of the tower at the back is a fan pocket. The PJ1C antenna is rotated 180°.

Since the "Shilka" was intended to be replaced in motorized rifle regiments and airborne divisions 14.5 mm quad anti-aircraft machine gun mounts ZPU-4 and 37 mm guns 61-K arr. 1939, based on the test results, the probability of hitting a target of the F-86 fighter type flying at an altitude of 1000 m was calculated from these artillery systems (see table).

After the completion of the tests of Shilka and Yenisei, the state commission considered comparative characteristics both ZSU and issued a conclusion on them:

1) "Shilka" and "Yenisei" are equipped with a radar system and provide shooting day and night in any weather; 2) the weight of the Yenisei is 28 tons, which is unacceptable for arming motorized rifle units and airborne forces; 3) when firing at MiG-17 and Il-28 aircraft at an altitude of 200 and 500 m, the Shilka is 2 and 1.5 times more effective than the Yenisei, respectively; 4) "Yenisei" is intended for air defense of tank regiments and tank divisions for the following reasons: - tank units and formations operate mainly in isolation from the main group of troops. "Yenisei" provides escort for tanks at all stages of the battle, provides effective fire at altitudes up to 3000 m and ranges up to 4500 m. The use of this installation virtually eliminates accurate bombing of tanks, which "Shilka" cannot provide; - there are quite powerful

high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing shells. "Yenisei" can conduct more effective self-defense shooting at ground targets when following tank troops in combat formations; 5) unification of new ZSU with products that are in mass production: - according to Shilka - a 23-mm machine gun and shots for it are in mass production. Tracked base SU-85 is manufactured at MMZ; - according to the "Yenisei" - the RPK is unified in terms of modules with the "Krug" system, in terms of the tracked base - with the SU-100P, for the production of which 2 - 3 plants are preparing.

Both in the above excerpts from the conclusion of the commission, and in other documents, there is no clear justification for the priority of Shilka over Yenisei. Even their prices were comparable.

The commission recommended that both ZSUs be adopted. But by decision of the Council of Ministers of September 5, 1962 N ° 925-401, only the Shilka was adopted, and on September 20 of the same year, the GKOT order to stop work on the Yenisei was followed. An indirect proof of the delicacy of the situation was the fact that two days after the closure of work on the Yenisei, an order from the State Committee for Combating the State Committee for the same bonuses for organizations working on both machines appeared.

The Tula Machine-Building Plant was supposed to start mass production of Amur guns for Shilka at the beginning of 1963. However, both the guns and the vehicle were largely unfinished. A significant design defect was the unreliable withdrawal of spent cartridges, which accumulated in the cartridge cases and jammed the machine. There were also defects in the barrel cooling system, in the vertical guidance mechanism, etc.

As a result, in mass production"Shilka" went only in 1964. This year it was planned to produce 40 cars, but this was not possible. Nevertheless, mass production of the ZSU-23-4 was later launched. In the late 60s, their average annual output was about 300 cars.

Housing ZSU-23-4:

1 - tool box cover, 2 - headlight guard, 3 - hatch cover over the fuel tank filler neck, 4.30 - air intakes, 5.7 - manhole covers for access to the converter, 6 - air outlet from the converter, 8 - bottom side plate, 9 - top side sheet, 10 - manhole cover for access to the generator, 11 - air outlet from the generator, 12 - air inlet to the GTE filters, 13 - manhole cover for access to the GTE, 14 - manhole cover for maintenance of the gas turbine engine, 15 - power roof sheet compartments, 16 - branch pipe for exhausting gases from the gas turbine engine, 17 - upper stern sheet, 18,21 - cheeks of the ejector guard frame, 19 - manhole cover over the filler neck of the rear fuel tank, 20 - air intake with shutters, 22 - ejector air intake cover, 23 - manhole cover over the engine, 24 - manhole cover over the oil tank filler neck, 25 - manhole cover over the air cleaner, 26 - support ring for attaching the turret shoulder strap, 27 - front roof sheet, 28 - ventilation air intake of the control compartment, 29 - balancer cover, 31 - balancer (spring mechanism), 32 - driver's observation device cap, 33 - hatch cover above the windshield, 34 - mudguard, 35 - tow hook, 36 - driver's hatch cover, 37 - upper front sheet , 38 - observation device, 39 - hatch cover over the filler neck of the glass washer tank, 40 - hatch cover for mounting the fuel tank.

In the welded hull of the GM-575 tracked vehicle, there is a control compartment - in the bow, a combat compartment - in the middle and a power compartment - in the stern. Between them there were partitions, which served as the front and rear supports of the tower.

The ZSU is equipped with an 8D6 type diesel engine, which was given the designation V-6R in the configuration for installation on the GM-575 by the manufacturer. On machines manufactured since 1969, the V-6R-1 engine was installed, which had minor design changes.

The V-6R engine is a six-cylinder, four-stroke, non-compressor liquid-cooled diesel engine. Maximum power at 2000 rpm - 280 hp The working volume of the cylinders is 19.1 liters, the compression ratio is 15.0.

The GM-575 has two welded aluminum alloy fuel tanks - the front one for 405 liters and the rear one for 110 liters. The first is located in a separate compartment of the bow of the hull.

The power transmission is mechanical, with a step change in gear ratios, located in the stern. The main friction clutch is multi-disc, dry friction. The main clutch control drive is mechanical, from the pedal in the driver's seat. The gearbox is mechanical, three-way, five-speed, with synchronizers in II, III, IV and V gears.

Swing mechanisms are planetary, two-stage, with locking clutches. Final drives are single-stage, with cylindrical gears.

The caterpillar mover of the machine consists of two driving wheels, two guide wheels with a caterpillar tension mechanism, two caterpillar chains and twelve road wheels.

The caterpillar chain is metal, with lantern gearing, with closed hinges, from 93 steel tracks interconnected by steel pins. Track width 382 mm, track pitch 128 mm.

Drive wheels are welded, with removable rims, rear arrangement. The guide wheels are single, with metal rims. Track rollers are welded, single, with rubberized rims.

The suspension of the car is independent, torsion bar, asymmetric, with hydraulic shock absorbers on the first front, fifth left and sixth right track rollers; spring stops on the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth left road wheels and the first, third, fourth and sixth right road wheels.

The tower is a welded structure with a shoulder strap diameter of 1840 mm. It is fixed on the bed with front frontal sheets, on the left and right walls of which the upper and lower cradles of the gun are attached. When the swinging part of the gun is given an elevation angle, the frame embrasure is partially covered by a movable shield, the roller of which slides along the guide of the lower cradle.

There are three hatches on the right side sheet: one, with a bolted cover, serves for mounting the tower equipment, the other two are closed with a visor and are air inlets for ventilation of the units and the blower of the PAZ system. On the left side of the tower, a casing is welded on the outside, designed to remove steam from the cooling system of the gun barrels. Two hatches are provided in the aft sheet of the tower, designed to service the equipment.

ZSU-23-4M manufactured in 1969. In the top view, the covers of the ammunition compartments are conventionally not shown.

The turret is equipped with a 23-mm AEP-23 Amur quadruple gun. She, along with the tower, was assigned the index 2A10, the automatic guns - 2A7, and the power drives - 2E2. The operation of gun automation is based on the removal of powder gases through the side

hole in the wall of the barrel. The barrel consists of a pipe, casings of the cooling system, a gas chamber and a flame arrester. The gate is wedge, with the lowering of the wedge down. The length of the machine with a flame arrester is 2610 mm, the length of the barrel with a flame arrester is 2050 mm (without a flame arrester - 1880 mm). The length of the threaded part is 1730 mm. The weight of one machine gun is 85 kg, the weight of the entire artillery unit is 4964 kg.

The supply of cartridges is lateral, the chambering is direct, directly from the link with a skewed cartridge. The right machines have the right tape feed, the left ones have the left one. The tape is fed into the receiving windows of the machines from the cartridge box. For this, the energy of powder gases is used, which actuates the feed mechanism through the bolt carrier, and partly the energy of the recoil of automata. The gun is equipped with two boxes of 1000 rounds (of which 480 are on the upper machine gun, and 520 on the lower one) and a pneumatic reloading system for cocking the moving parts of the machine guns in preparation for firing and reloading in case of misfires.

Two automatic machines are mounted on each cradle. Two cradles (upper and lower) are mounted on the bed one above the other at a distance of 320 mm from each other in a horizontal position, the lower one is advanced forward by 320 mm in relation to the upper one. The parallelism of the trunks is ensured by a parallelogram link connecting both cradles. Two toothed sectors are attached to the bottom, which engage with the gears of the input shaft of the vertical guidance gearbox. The Amur gun is placed on a base placed on a ball shoulder strap. The base consists of upper and lower boxes. An armored tower is attached to the end of the upper box. Inside the base there are two longitudinal beams that serve as a support for the bed. Both cradles with machine guns attached to them swing on the trunnions in the bed bearings.

The gun's ammunition load includes 23 mm BZT and OFZT rounds. Armor-piercing projectiles BZT weighing 190 g do not have a fuse and explosive, but contain only an incendiary agent for tracing. OFZT fragmentation shells weighing 188.5 g have a head fuse MG-25. The propellant charge for both shells is the same - 77 g of gunpowder brand 5/7 CFL. Cartridge weight 450 g. Steel sleeve, disposable. The ballistic data of both projectiles are the same - muzzle velocity 980 m/s, tabular ceiling 1500 m, tabular range 2000 m. The feed of the automatic machines is tape, for 50 rounds. Four OFZT cartridges alternate in the tape - one BZT cartridge, etc.

Guidance and stabilization of the AEP-23 gun is carried out by 2E2 guidance actuators. The 2E2 system used URS (Jenny clutch): for horizontal guidance - URS No. 5, and for vertical guidance - URS No. 2.5. Both are powered by a common electric motor DSO-20 with a power of 6 kW.

Depending on the external conditions and the state of the equipment, firing at anti-aircraft targets is carried out in the following modes.

ZSU-2E-4V1. Front view. On the frontal cheekbones of the tower there are characteristic casings-enclosures of the ventilation system. Machine from the exposition of the Central Museum of the Armed Forces in Moscow.

23mm cartridges:

1 - projectile, 2 - sleeve, 3 - gunpowder, 4 - primer-igniter No. 3, 5 - decopper (for some cartridges with a BZT projectile); a - muzzle, b - slope, c - body, d - shoulder, d - annular groove, e - flange, w - bottom, i - groove.

ZSU-2E-4V1 in the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Kyiv. The radar column is stowed in the stowed position. On the upper aft hull sheet on the left is a manhole cover over the PPO cylinders, in the middle is a tool box cover, on the right is a gas exhaust pipe from the gas turbine engine, closed with a plug.

The first (main) mode is auto-tracking, the angular coordinates and range are determined by the radar, which automatically tracks the target along them, outputting data to the computing device (analogue computer) to generate predicted coordinates. The opening of fire is carried out by the signal “Data available” on the calculating instrument. RPK automatic G ki generates full pointing angles, taking into account the pitching and yaw of the ZSU and issues them to the guidance drives, and the latter automatically direct the gun to the pre-empted point. Shooting is carried out by the commander or search operator - gunner.

The second mode - the angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range - from the radar.

The angular current coordinates of the target are fed into the calculating device from the sighting device, which is induced by the search operator - the gunner - semi-automatically, and the range values ​​are received from the radar. Thus, the radar operates in radio range finder mode. This mode is auxiliary and is used in the presence of interference that causes malfunctions in the system for guiding the antenna by angular coordinates, or, in the event of a malfunction in the autotracking channel, by the angular coordinates of the radar. Otherwise, the complex works the same way as in the auto-tracking mode.

The third mode - advanced coordinates are generated according to the "remembered" values ​​​​of the current coordinates X, Y, H and the components of the target's speed V x› V y and V H, based on the hypothesis of a uniform rectilinear motion targets in any plane. The mode is used when there is a threat of loss of the radar target in the process of automatic tracking due to interference or malfunctions.

The fourth mode is shooting with the help of a backup sight, guidance is performed in semi-automatic mode. The lead is introduced by the search operator - the gunner on the foreshortening rings of the backup sight. This mode is used in case of failure of the radar, computer and stabilization systems.

The radar and instrument complex is designed to control the fire of the AZP-23 gun and is located in the instrument compartment of the turret. It consists of: a radar station, a calculating device, blocks and elements of systems for stabilizing the line of sight and the line of fire, a sighting device. The radar station is designed to detect low-flying high-speed targets and accurately determine the coordinates of the selected target, which can be done in two modes: a) angular coordinates and range are automatically tracked; b) the angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range - from the radar.

The radar operates in the range of 1-1.5 cm waves. The range was chosen for a number of reasons. Such stations have antennas with small weight and size characteristics. Radars in the 1-1.5 cm wavelength range are less susceptible to intentional enemy interference, since the ability to operate in a wide frequency band makes it possible to increase the noise immunity and processing speed of received information by using broadband frequency modulation and signal coding. By increasing the Doppler frequency shifts of the reflected signals arising from moving and maneuvering targets, their recognition and classification is provided. In addition, this range is less loaded with other radio equipment. Looking ahead, let's say that radars operating in this range make it possible to detect air targets developed using stealth technology. By the way, according to the foreign press, during Operation Desert Storm, the Iraqi Shilka shot down an American F-117A aircraft built using this technology.

Rotating part:

1 - parallelogram rod, 2, 13 - cartridge boxes (left and right), 3, 12 - trays (left and right), 4, 11 - winches (left and right), 5, 10 - hoses of the automatic barrel cooling system, 6 - plug, 7 - cable for dropping plugs, 8 - lower automatic guns, 9 - upper automatic guns, 14 - range operator seat, 15 - vertical guidance flywheel, 16 - turret stopper, 17 - supercharger of the PAZ system, 18 - TDP device, 19 - PAZ control panel, 20 - search operator's seat - gunner, 21 - antenna input, 22 - commander's seat, 23 - control panel and direction indicator of orientation equipment, 24 - horizontal guidance flywheel, 25 - left armor shield, 26 - coolant tank , 27 - antenna posts, 28 - antenna column, 29 - commander's console, 30 - fire handle, 31 - inclined roller, 32, 33 - trunnions of gun cradles, 34 - gun bed, 35 - manual vertical guidance gearbox, 36 - block electric motor cooling unit, 37 - cooling unit reducer, 38 - cooling unit pump deniya, 39 - switchboard, 40 - rotating contact device, 41 - trigger pedal, 42 - lower box, 43 - ball shoulder strap of the tower, 44 - control handles, 45 - upper box, 46 - radar antenna, 47 - replenishment tank, 48 - gun stopper handle, 49 - handle for switching modes "flywheel - power" of the vertical guidance gearbox, 50 - calculating device, 51 - frequency meter, 52 - device N ° 1 TPU, 53, 56 - sighting device heads (left and right) , 54 - sighting device, 55, 57 - cabinets with control panels, 58 - cabinet with blocks, 59 - fuse box, 60 - radar antenna control unit, 61 - gyroazimuth horizon, 62 - heating control panel.

sighting device:

1 - "grid" handle, 2 - eyepiece, 3 - "reticle-doubler" switching handle.

The disadvantage of the radar is a relatively short range, usually not exceeding 10 - 20 km and depending on the state of the atmosphere, primarily on the intensity of precipitation - rain or sleet. To protect against passive interference, the Shilki radar uses a coherent-pulse method of target selection. Simply put, constant signals from terrain objects and passive interference are not taken into account, and signals from moving targets enter the PKK. The radar is controlled by the search operator and the range operator.

The power supply system is designed to supply all ZSU-23-4 consumers with direct current of 55 V and 27.5 V and alternating current of 220 V, frequency of 400 Hz.

The main elements of the power supply system include:

Gas turbine engine of the power supply system type DG4M-1,

designed to rotate the DC generator;

A set of DC generator PGS2-14A with equipment designed to supply DC consumers with a stabilized voltage of 55 V and 27.5 V;

Set of converter unit BP-III with a block of contactors BK-III, designed to convert direct current into alternating three-phase current;

Four 12-ST-70M batteries designed to compensate for peak overloads of the DC generator, to power the starters of the DG4M-1 engine and the V-6R engine of the machine, as well as to power appliances and electrical consumers when the generator is not running.

The gas turbine engine DG4M-1, the gearbox of the power supply system and the generator PGS2-14A are connected to each other into a single power unit, which is installed in the power compartment of the machine in the right rear niche and is rigidly fixed at four points. The rated power of the DG4M-1 engine is 70 hp. at 6000 rpm. Specific fuel consumption up to 1050 g/hp at one o'clock. The maximum starting time of the DG4M-1 engine with the acceptance of the rated load, including cold cranking, is 2 min. The dry weight of the DG4M-1 engine is 130 kg.

The ZSU-23-4 is equipped with a short-wave FM radio transceiver R-123. The radius of its action on medium-rough terrain with the noise suppressor turned off and the absence of interference is up to 23 km, and with the noise suppressor turned on - up to 13 km.

For internal communication, a tank intercom R-124 for 4 subscribers is used. ZSU-23-4 is equipped with TNA-2 navigation equipment. Its arithmetic mean error in generating coordinates as a percentage of the distance traveled is no more than 1%. When the ZSU moves, the duration of the operation of the equipment without reorientation is 3 - 3.5 hours.

The crew is protected from radioactive dust by cleaning the air and creating excess pressure in the fighting compartment and the control compartment. For this, a central blower with inertial air separation is used.

Layout of components and assemblies in the GM-575 case:

1 - centrifuge for cleaning oil in the engine, 2 - air cleaner, 3 - oil tank, 4 - lever for disengaging the BOT gearbox, 5 - driver's instrument panel, 6 - driver's seat, 7, 13 - control levers, 8 - pedal main clutch, 9 - lever-comb of the brake pedal stopper, 10 - gear lever, 11 - brake pedal, 12 - fuel supply pedal, 14 - batteries, 15 - gas exhaust fan, 16 - front fuel tank, 17 - SEP converter , 18 - rear fuel tank, 19 - BOT generator, 20 - BOT gearbox, 21 - gas turbine engine, 22 - air filter, 23 - right axle shaft, 24 - power transmission gearbox, 25 - main clutch, 26 - rear fuel tank filler neck, 27 - gearbox, 28 - connecting shaft, 29 - traction motor, 30 - MAF oil filter, 31 - left axle shaft, 32 - left planetary mechanism, 33 - UAPPO cylinders, 34 - starting heater, 35 - expansion tank of the engine cooling system; TD - temperature sensors UAPPO (the location of the temperature sensors is shown conditionally).

ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" began to enter the army in 1965 and by the beginning of the 70s completely replaced the ZSU-57-2. Initially, the tank regiment in the state had a "shilok" division, which consisted of two batteries of four vehicles . In the late 60s, it often happened that in the division one battery had a ZSU-23-4 and one battery had a ZSU-57-2. Later, motorized rifle and tank regiments received a typical anti-aircraft battery, which consisted of two platoons. One platoon had four Shilka ZSUs, and the other had four Strela 1 self-propelled air defense systems (then Strela-10 air defense systems).

The operation of "Shilka" showed that the RPK-2 works well in the conditions of the use of passive interference. There was practically no active interference with Shilka during our exercises, since there were no means of radio countermeasures on its operating frequencies, at least in the 70s. Significant shortcomings of the PKK, which often needed to be reconfigured, were also revealed. The instability of the electrical parameters of the circuits was noted. The PKK could take the target for auto tracking no closer than 7 - 8 km from the ZSU. At shorter distances, it was difficult to do this because of the high angular velocity of the target. When switching from detection mode to auto-tracking mode, the target was sometimes lost.

The DG4M-1 gas turbine engines constantly malfunctioned, and the onboard network generator worked mainly from the main engine. In turn, the systematic operation of the diesel engine in the parking lot at low speeds led to its pitching.

In the second half of the 60s, the ZSU-23-4 underwent two small upgrades, the main purpose of which was to increase the reliability of various components and assemblies, primarily the RPK. The machines of the first modernization received the index ZSU-23-4V, and the second - ZSU-2E-4V1. Main performance characteristics self-propelled guns remained unchanged.

"Shilki" cover the tank column on the march, September 1973.

Cannon "Amur". On the left - with welded coolant outlet pipes (2A10), on the right - with flexible hoses (2A10M).

Manhole cover and driver's observation devices. Above the hatch, on the roof of the hull - a periscope observation device 54-36-5sb BM, in the right zygomatic sheet - a direct vision device (glass block) B-1. The second device B-1 is installed in the left zygomatic sheet. All driver's observation devices are equipped with windshield wipers. To drive a car at night, instead of the 54-36-5sb BM device, a TVN-2 night vision device is installed.

In October 1967, the Council of Ministers issued a resolution on a more serious modernization of the Shilka. The most important part of it was the reworking of the 2A7 assault rifles and the 2A10 gun in order to increase the reliability and stability of the complex, increase the survivability of gun parts and reduce maintenance time. In the process of modernization, the pneumatic charging of 2A7 automata was replaced by pyrocharging, which made it possible to eliminate the unreliable compressor and a number of other components from the design. The welded coolant outlet tube was replaced with a flexible pipe - this increased the barrel resource from 3500 to 4500 shots. In 1973, the upgraded ZSU-23-4M was put into service along with the 2A7M assault rifle and the 2A10M gun. ZSU-23-4M received the designation "Biryusa", but in the army it was still called "Shilka".

After the next upgrade, the installation received the ZSU-23-4MZ index (3 - interrogator). For the first time, the identification equipment “friend or foe” was installed on it. Later, during the repair, all ZSU-23-4M were brought up to the level of ZSU-2E-4MZ. Production of the ZSU-23-4ME was discontinued in 1982.

Shilka were widely exported to the Warsaw Pact countries, the Middle East and other regions. They took an active part in the Arab-Israeli wars, the Iraqi-Iranian war (on both sides), as well as in the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991.

There are different points of view about the effectiveness of the "Shilka" in the fight against air targets. So, during the 1973 war, the "shilki" accounted for about 10% of all losses of Israeli aircraft (the rest were distributed between air defense systems and fighter aircraft). However, the captured pilots showed that the "shilki" literally created a sea of ​​​​fire and the pilots instinctively left the zone of fire of the ZSU and fell into the zone of operation of the air defense system. During Operation Desert Storm, the pilots of the multinational forces tried not to operate unnecessarily at altitudes of less than 1300 m, fearing the fire of "shilok".

"Shilki" were highly valued in Afghanistan by our officers and soldiers. There is a column along the road, and suddenly there is fire from an ambush, try to organize a defense, all the cars have already been shot. Salvation is one - "Shilka". A long line at the enemy, and a sea of ​​\u200b\u200bfire on his position. Dushmans called our self-propelled unit "shaitan-arba". They determined the beginning of its work immediately and immediately began to depart. Thousands of Soviet soldiers "Shilka" saved the life.

ZSU-2E-4M. With a general identity of the design with the ZSU-2E-4V1, the large cap of the ventilation system on the roof of the tower on the right and the cover of the Amur gun embrasure attract attention.

Radar ZSU-2E-4M. In the foreground, in the center - caps covering the heads of the sighting device. In the combat position, the caps recline.

In Afghanistan, this ZSU fully realized the ability to fire at ground targets in the mountains. Moreover, a special “Afghan version” appeared - as unnecessary, the radio instrument complex was dismantled on it, due to which it was possible to increase the ammunition load from 2000 to 4000 rounds. A night sight was also installed.

An interesting touch. The columns escorted by the Shilka were rarely attacked not only in the mountains, but also near settlements. The ZSU was dangerous for the manpower hidden behind the adobe duvaps - the projectile fuse worked when it hit the wall. Effectively "Shilka" also hit lightly armored targets - armored personnel carriers, vehicles ...

When adopting the Shilka, both the military and representatives of the military-industrial complex understood that the 23-mm Amur gun was too weak. This applied both to the short slant range, and to the ceiling, and to the weakness of the high-explosive action of the projectile. The Americans added fuel to the fire by advertising the new A-10 attack aircraft, which was allegedly invulnerable to 23-mm Shilka shells. As a result, almost the next day after the adoption of the ZSU-23-4, all high authorities began talking about its modernization in terms of increasing firepower and, first of all, increasing the effective firing ceiling and the destructive effect of the projectile.

Since the autumn of 1962, several draft designs for installing 30-mm machine guns on the Shilka have been worked out. Among them, a 30-mm NN-30 revolver-type assault rifle designed by OKB-16, used in the AK-230 ship installation, a 30-mm AO-18 six-barreled assault rifle from AK-630 ship installations, and a 30-mm AO-17 double-barreled assault rifle designed by KBP . In addition, the 57-mm double-barreled AO-16 assault rifle, specially designed at the Design Bureau for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, was tested.

ZSU-23-4ME. Two antenna arrays of the interrogator of the “friend or foe” system are visible on the protective casing-radome of the radar.

Data of 30 mm machine guns

"Shilki" ZSU-2E-4M of the Syrian army in Beirut, 1987.

On March 26, 1963, a technical council was held in Mytishchi near Moscow under the leadership of N.A. Astrov. On it, it was decided to increase the caliber of the ZSU from 23 to 30 mm. This doubled (from 1000 to 2000 m) increased the zone of 50% probability of hitting the target and increased the firing range from 2500 to 4000 m. , increased by 1.5 times.

When comparing 30-mm machine guns, it was indicated that the extraction of cartridge cases from the HH-30 goes back down, and the removal of cartridge cases from the Shilka turret goes forward to the side, which will require significant alterations in the ZSU. When comparing the AO-17 and AO-18, which had the same ballistics, the advantage of the first was noted, which required less modification of individual components, provided easier operating conditions for the drives, while maintaining the continuity of the design to a greater extent, including the turret ring, horizontal gearbox, guidance , hydraulic drive, etc. The adoption of the AO-47 simplified the problem of cartridge case retraction, reloading, etc. In addition, it had a greater angle of depression than the AO-18.

In the end, for the ZSU, they adopted the 30-mm double-barreled AO-17 assault rifle. Its modified version received the GRAU 2A38 index and was put into serial production at the Tula Machine-Building Plant No. 535 in the early 80s.

The work of automation 2A38 is based on the removal of powder gases from the bore. There is a cartridge in one of the barrels before firing. The impact mechanism is cocked and held by an electric sear. The movable parts of the second barrel are in the rear position, and the cartridge is in the bolt legs. The movable parts of both barrels are kinematically connected through a connecting lever. Such a connection makes it possible to do without return springs, since the working stroke of the moving parts of the other barrel and the energy of gases are used to return the moving parts of one barrel to the forward position. The gun is powered by one cartridge belt. Its supply is carried out by a feed asterisk, kinematically connected with the sliders. The common parts of both barrels were the casing, the feed mechanism, the reload mechanism, the firing mechanism and the shock absorber.

Maneuvers of the Soviet Army. ZSU-2E-4V1 as part of a column of armored vehicles force a water barrier along a pontoon bridge.

Anti-aircraft missile and artillery regimental battery in training sessions. 14th Army, Transnistria, April 1995. The picture clearly shows the staffing of the battery - two ZSU-23-4M and two Strela-10 SZRK.