ZU-23-2

ZU-23-2
A ZU-23-2
Type Towed 23 mm Anti-Aircraft Twin Autocannon
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1960–present
Used by See Operators section
Wars Lebanese Civil War
Soviet–Afghan War
Western Sahara War[1]
Somali Civil War
Gulf War
First Chechen War
Second Chechen War
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
Georgian Civil War
South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)
2006 Lebanon Conflict
Russo-Georgian War
First Libyan Civil War
Syrian Civil War
Second Libyan Civil War
War in Donbass
Yemeni Civil War (2015–present)
Saudi-led intervention in Yemen (2015–present)
Production history
Designer KBP
Designed Late 1950s
Produced 1960 – present
Variants See Variants and upgrades
Specifications (ZU-23-2)
Weight 0.95 tonnes (2,094 lbs)
Length 4.57 m (10 ft)
Barrel length 2.008 m (79.1 in) (87.3 calibers)
Width 2.88 m (9 ft 5 in)
Height 1.22 m (4 ft)
Crew 2 -- gunner and commander
Shell 23x152B
Caliber 23 mm
Barrels 2
Action Gas operated
Elevation −10° to +90°[2]
Traverse 360°
Rate of fire 2000 rpm cyclic, 400 rpm practical
Effective firing range 2.5 km (2 mi) effective range

The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka (Russian: Зенитная Установка) – anti-aircraft mount. The GRAU index is 2A13.[3]

Development history

The ZU-23-2 was developed in the late 1950s. It was designed to engage low-flying targets at a range of 2.5 km as well as armoured vehicles at a range of two kilometres (km) and for direct defense of troops and strategic locations against air assault usually conducted by helicopters and low-flying airplanes.[4] In 1955, KBP presented the single-barrel ZU-1 and the twin-barrel ZU-14. While the former was eventually dropped, the ZU-14 was selected and, after some modifications, entered series production.

In the Soviet Union, some 140,000 units were produced. The ZU-23 has also been produced under license by Bulgaria,[5] Poland, Egypt[6] and the People's Republic of China.[7]

Development of this weapon into a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) led to the ZSU-23-4 Shilka.

Description

The ZU-23-2 (2A13) mounts two 23 mm autocannons on a small trailer which can be converted into a stationary mount for firing the guns. While in this position the wheels are moved aside. The autocannon can be prepared for firing from the march position in 30 seconds and in emergency can be fired from the traveling position. The weapon is aimed and fired manually, with the help of the ZAP-23 optical-mechanical sight which uses manually entered target data to provide limited automatic aiming. It also has a straight-tube telescope T-3 for use against ground targets such as infantry as well as unarmored or lightly armoured vehicles. The ammo is fed by a conveyor belt from two ammunition boxes. Each of the ammunition boxes is located on the side of the twin autocannon and each carries 50 rounds. The fumes created by firing the weapon are partially removed through the side openings in the barrels.[4]

Normally, once each barrel has fired 100 rounds it becomes too worn and is therefore replaced with a spare barrel. Each weapon is normally provided with two replacement barrels as part of its standard equipment. Tulamashzavod Joint Stock Company is offering to upgrade the 2A14 guns to the 2A14M standard with a barrel life of 10,000 rounds instead of 8,000 rounds.

The cannon carriage is based on the earlier ZPU-2 anti-aircraft twin heavy machine gun, which mounted two KPV 14.5 mm heavy machine guns. ZU-23-2 can be identified by different placement of the ammunition boxes (at right angles to the gun carriage) and by muzzle flash suppressors. In another similarity to the ZPU series, single-barrel and four-barrel versions of the ZU-23 were also developed. However, these versions never entered service.

ZU-23-2 can be towed by a number of different vehicles. In USSR and later Russia the most frequently used towing vehicles for it were GAZ-66 4x4 trucks and GAZ-69 4x4 light trucks.[4]

The weapon is known in the Finnish forces colloquially as Sergei.

Ammunition

The 23 mm AA gun utilizes the same 23x152B case as the wartime VYa aircraft autocannon. Due to different loadings and primers the ammunition is not interchangeable, however: ammunition of the anti-aircraft cannon can be identified from its steel casings, ammunition for the aircraft cannon having brass cases instead.[8] The following table lists the main characteristics of some of the available 23x152B ammunition used in 23 mm AA guns:

DesignationTypeProjectile Weight [g]Bursting charge [g]Muzzle Velocity [m/s]Description
BZTAPI190 [9]?970Blunt AP steel core, with incendiary charge inside windshield cap.[9] Penetration 15 mm RHA at 1000 m range and 30 degree impact angle (from perpendicular), tracer burn time 5 seconds.
OFZHE184 [9]19 [10]980[9]HE fragmentation round with nose fuzes incorporating self-destruct mechanism.[9]
OFZTHE-T188[9]13 [10]980[9]HE fragmentation round with a reduced HE charge due to the space taken by the tracer; tracer burn time 5 seconds.
APDS-TAPDS-T103none1220A Polish sub-caliber armour-piercing round with tracer. Penetration 30 mm RHA at 100 m range and 30 degree impact angle (from perpendicular), tracer burn time >2.5 s.

Not only the gun itself but also the ammunition is produced in several countries. In Bulgaria, the company ARCUS Co. produces rounds and fuses for the 2A7 and 2A14 guns.[11]

Service history

ZU-23-2 entered service with the Soviet Army in 1960. ZU-23-2 is often mounted on trucks for use in both anti-aircraft and fire support roles. It can also be mounted on the roof of the MT-LB multi-purpose tracked APCs. Specially modified three-legged ZU-23-2 is used in BTR-DG based airborne SPAAG. Cheap, easy to operate and still effective, the ZU-23-2 is still used by the Russian Army and by more than 20 other armies.

From 1965 onward, the Soviet Union began supplying the Democratic Republic of Vietnam with large shipments of weapons.[12] The 23 mm ZU-23-2 was, along with the 37 mm M1939, the most frequently encountered anti-aircraft gun in Vietnam. Given that 83% of the USAF losses came from ground fire, the ZU-23 was probably responsible for shooting down hundreds of aircraft.[13]

During the Soviet–Afghan War, the Soviet forces put ZU-23-2 sets to secure the air defense of occupation area and used as fire support. In the later Afghan War, the belligerents including Taliban and Northern Alliance used ZU-23-2, along with the SA-7 or Stinger Missile, as their primary air-defense weapons.

During the Gulf War of 1991, it was a favorite weapon of the Iraqi Army, albeit used more often against ground infantry and light enemy vehicles. They tend to use it more against ground targets as the ZU-23-2 is ineffective against fast moving attack aircraft, though it was later proven not too effective as it inflicted only a few number of casualties throughout the war.

In late 1983, the ZU-23M was used in attacks against U.S. Marine ground forces fighting with the Multinational Force in Lebanon. At the time, a Marine spokesman described such antipersonnel use of the weapon as a violation of the laws of war; however, writing for the Marine Corps Gazette in 1988, Maj. W. Hays Parks dismissed this allegation as incorrect.[14]

ZU-23-2 also saw usage during Georgian Civil War, at least one kill was claimed by ZU-23-2, when Georgian forces shot down Su-25 on 4 June 1993.[15]

The type has seen widespread use by both sides in the Libyan Civil War often mounted on technical pickup trucks.[16] The weapon has been heavily used in the Syrian Civil War. YouTube videos depict the weapon installed on pickup trucks and one was even successful in shooting down a Syrian helicopter and a jet. ZU-23-2 on technicals are also often used to attack ground targets.[17][18]

Variants and upgrades

Soviet Union/Russian Federation

ZU-23-2 firing. Vitebsk, Belarus
  • ZU-23M – Upgraded variant, designed by the Nudelman Precision Engineering Design Bureau (KB Tochmash). Has new targeting system (which includes laser rangefinder, television channel, optical mechanic device, can be reinforced with thermo location channel and a television system for usage at night) and electromechanic turn system. Optionally, the mount can be fitted with two short-range air-defence missiles, such as the 9M32M "Strela-2M" or the 9M39 "Igla".[19][20]
  • ZU-23M1 – This is the current model, developed by Open Joint Stock Company Podolsky Electromechanical Plant of Special Engineering "PEMZ Spetsmash" and Closed Joint Stock Company "NTC Elins" and offered by Rosoboronexport. Like the ZU-23M, it has an upgraded fire control system and can optionally be fitted with two launchers for the "Igla" series missile, usually the 9M342 "Igla-S".[21]
    • The complete air-defence gun/missile system is called ZU-23/ZOM1 (often erroneously called "ZU-23/30M1"). It consists of the "missile-gun firing module" (strel'bovoj modul) ZU-23/ZOM1-SM; the "missile-launching module" (puskovoj modul) ZU-23/ZOM1-PM armed with four 9M333 "Strela-10" missiles; a remote control module (modul distantsionnogo upravleniya) ZU-23/ZOM1-MU and a portable generator AB-1. Depending on the wishes of the client, the system can be delivered without the -SM module (ZU-23/ZOM1-1), without the -PM module (ZU-23/ZOM1-2), without the remote control (ZU-23/ZOM1-3), or without -PM and -MU modules (ZU-23/ZOM1-4).[22]

Poland

Star 266 mounted ZUR-23-2 kg gun
  • ZU-23-2 – Polish designation for basic gun variant. Built under license in Zakłady Mechaniczne "Tarnów" S.A. since 1972.[23]
    • ZUR-23-2S "Jod" – Polish variant with electro-optical sight GP-1R and twin launcher for "Strela-2M" missiles, used from 1988[23] (picture).
      • ZUR-23-2 kg "Jodek-G" – Development of ZUR-23-2S with more advanced reflex sight CKE-2 (later CP-1 night-and-day sight with laser rangefinder), electromechanic gun turn system and twin launcher for "Grom" missiles, produced from 2002[23] (pictures).
        • ZUR-23-2 kg-I – Improved export version for Indonesia with CKE-2I sight.
        • TR-23-2 – Training simulator version of the ZUR-23-2 kg-I. The set consists of an instructor's station and a gunner's station (a modified "artillery-missile unit" with the sight replaced by a computer station). Both stations are linked by a wireless network.[24]
        • Kobra – Polish short-range modular air-defense system. A typical battery consists of up to 6 guns (for example ZUR-23-2 kg), up to 6 Poprad systems, a WD-95 command post and a Radwar MMSR radar.[25]
    • ZU-23-2M "Wróbel" – Polish naval version of ZU-23-2, hydraulically powered, produced from 1979.[23]
    • ZU-23-2MR "Wróbel-II" – Polish naval version of ZUR-23-2S, with Strela-2M missiles and water-cooled barrels, produced from 1986[23][26] (picture).
      • "Hibneryt" – A ZU-23-2 family gun mounted on specially modified Star 266 truck, truck is fitted with additional ammunition for the gun and modified electrical installation to power guns electromechanic turn system (gun can also work from batteries).

Czech Republic

  • ZU-23-2M2 Vlara – Field upgrade modernization kit. (picture).

Slovak Republic

  • ZU 23M – Upgraded version with automatic fire control system, developed by the EVPU company.[27] This version is offered by EVPU and the Punj Lloyd Ltd of India to the Indian army.[28]

Egypt

  • ZU 23-M – Licence version of the ZU-23. It is also known as SH-23M and is produced by Abu Zaabal Engineering Industries (Factory 100).[6]
    • Nile 23 – Self-propelled version on the tracked M113. A system consists of the combat vehicle with ZU 23-M guns and surface-to-air missiles Saqr Eye, and a tracker vehicle, also based on the M113.[29][30]
    • Sinai 23 – Similar to the Nile 23, but with the guns and missiles mounted on a TA-23E turret, fitted with a RA-20S E-band radar. Instead of the Saqr Eye, FIM-92 Stinger missiles can be used.[31]

Finland

  • 23 ItK 95 – Finnish upgrade of the original 23 ItK 61, designed by Instrumentointi Oy and Vammas Oy. The upgrade adds gyro-stabilization to the gun, along with an APU and a laser range finder.[19]
  • SAKO 23 mm/87 – a navalized modernization used by the Finnish Navy. Variants are the 23 M74, the 23 M77, the 23 M80 and the 23 M85. The guns can be removed from M85 carriage and replaced with six Mistral surface-to-air missiles.[32]

China

  • Type 85/YW 306 – Reverse-engineered copy of the ZU-23-2, made by NORINCO.[7] Initially it was offered for export as the G-AA-01.[33] It is referred to as Type 85 gun by some sources.
    • Giant Bow – Also known as Shengong (Deity Bow, 神弓). This is the name of an air-defense system which consists uf up to eight Type 85 guns and a battery command vehicle (BCV).[7]
    • Giant Bow II a.k.a. Shengong-II – This is a more modern version of the Giant Bow and is offered for export since 2005. Apart from the 23 mm guns, it also comprises TY-90 missile launchers and a 3D radar.[7]
  • Type 87 – Upgraded version with twin 25 mm guns for 25x183B ammunition such as the PG87. After a failed initial design, an improved design was developed in 1979 and ready for evaluation in 1984. The Type 87 gun was accepted for service in 1987. It has the same layout as the original model and consists of two automatic, recoil-operated cannons, a two-wheel cartridge, a Type 86 infrared tracking sight and two 40-round ammunition magazines. The Type 87 fires in either single shot or burst mode, with a cyclic rate of fire of 600~700 rounds/min and has a muzzle velocity of 1,050 m/s.[34]
    • PGZ95 – self-propelled version of the Type 87.

Iran

  • Mesbah-1 – Iranian-made air-defence and anti cruise missile system with four ZU-23 mounts. For the first time presented in 2010.
  • ZU-23-6 (unofficial designator) – Similar to the Mesbah-1 but with only 6 instead of 8 barrels. This was probably the pre-series model of the Mesbah-1.[35]

General characteristics

Bulgarian truck-mounted ZU-23-2.
  • Overall dimensions in firing position
    • Length: 4.57 m (15 ft)
    • Width: 2.88 m (9.44 ft)
    • Height: 1.22 m (4 ft)
  • Weight: 0.95 tonnes (2,094 lbs)
  • Armament: two 2A14 Afanasyev-Yakushev 23x152mm (.90 in) autocannons
  • Barrel length: 2 m (6.5 ft)/ 87.3 calibers
  • Muzzle velocity: 970 m/s (3,182 ft/s)
  • Projectile weight: 186 g (6.27 oz)
  • Rate of fire
    • Cyclic: 2,000 rounds per minute
    • Practical: 400 rounds per minute
  • Effective range: 2-2.5 km (1.24-1.55 mi)
  • Effective altitude: 1,500-2,000 m (4,921-6,562 ft)
  • Crew: 6

Operators

Former operators

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Francesco Palmas (2012). "Il contenzioso del sahara occidentale fra passato e presente" (PDF). Informazioni della Difesa (in Italian). No. 4. pp. 50–59.
  2. ↑ Foss, Christopher (1977). Jane's Pocket Book of Towed Artillery. New York: Collier. p. 221. ISBN 0-02-080600-0. OCLC 911907988.
  3. ↑ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS". articles.janes.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  4. 1 2 3 "Militarium.net". militarium.net. Archived from the original on 12 June 2010. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS". articles.janes.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  6. 1 2 "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS". articles.janes.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS". articles.janes.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  8. ↑ "Williams, Anthony G: An introduction to collecting 23-28mm cartridges. http://www.quarryhs.co.uk/collecting%2023-28mm.htm
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Russian Ammunition Page, http://www.russianammo.org
  10. 1 2 ORDATA: Ordnance Identification Tool, http://maic.jmu.edu/ordata
  11. ↑ "ARCUS Co". www.arcus-bg.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  12. ↑ Tucker, Spencer C (2011). The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War: A Political, Social, and Military History. ABC-CLIO. pp. 52. ISBN 9781851099603
  13. ↑ http://www.airforcemag.com/MagazineArchive/Pages/2013/February%202013/0213vietnam.aspx
  14. ↑ Parks, Maj W. Hays (January 1988). "Killing A Myth". Marine Corps Gazette. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  15. ↑ "CIS region - Авиация в локальных конфликтах - www.skywar.ru". www.skywar.ru. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  16. ↑ "Rebels down Libyan aircraft as world leaders discuss next move". arabianbusiness.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  17. ↑ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  18. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 17 July 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2017.
  19. 1 2 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  20. ↑ http://testwww.janes.com/articles/International-Defence-Review-98/RUSSIA--AUTOMATIC-AIMING-FOR-ZU-23-2-LAAG.html%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  21. ↑ "Defendory International 2008 034". flickr.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  22. ↑ "Defendory International 2008 033". flickr.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  23. 1 2 3 4 5 (in Polish) "Dwudziestkitrójki" z Tarnowa ["Twentythrees" from Tarnów] in: Nowa Technika Wojskowa Nr. 9/2010, p. 76-78
  24. ↑ http://62.129.200.244/pdf/trenazer_en.pdf
  25. ↑ http://www.bumar.com/dywizje_flash/admin/store/images/image-1304661693-link.pdf%5Bpermanent+dead+link%5D
  26. ↑ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS". articles.janes.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  27. ↑ "Industry Directory". epicos.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  28. ↑ http://www.punjlloyd.com/sites/default/files/pdf/Force%20April%20Issue%202012%5B1%5D.pdf
  29. ↑ "JED". jedsite.info. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  30. ↑ "JED". jedsite.info. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  31. ↑ "JED". jedsite.info. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  32. ↑ Kiiskinen, Pekka; Wahlman, Pasi (2003). Itsenäisen Suomen laivaston laivatykit 1918–2004 [The naval guns of Finland 1918–2004] (in Finnish). Helsinki: Typomic Oy. pp. 121–133. ISBN 952-91-6807-1.
  33. ↑ International Defence Equipment Catalogue 1988–89, page II/27
  34. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 December 2007. Retrieved 12 December 2007.
  35. ↑ Administrator. "ZU-23-6 six cannons 23 mm anti-aircraft gun technical data sheet specifications pictures video". www.armyrecognition.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Military Balance 2017
  37. ↑ Coatepeque (14 December 2009). "China Defense Blog: Next Stop, Ecuador". china-defense.blogspot.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  38. ↑ SPUTNIK (2004-07-23). "South Ossetian a self proclaimed republic in Western Georgia Armed forces and volunteers Jawa region". alamy.com. Retrieved 2017-08-09.
  39. ↑ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS". articles.janes.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  40. ↑ Abarky (20 April 2012). "Garuda Militer: ZUR-23-2KG". garudamiliter.blogspot.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  41. ↑ http://www.adprconsult.com.my/indo-aerospace-defence.pdf
  42. ↑ Abarky (14 April 2012). "Garuda Militer: Giant Bow I". garudamiliter.blogspot.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  43. ↑ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 March 2010. Retrieved 5 June 2010.
  44. ↑ "Defense & Security Intelligence & Analysis: IHS Jane's – IHS". www.janes.com. Retrieved 6 May 2018.
  45. ↑ Small Arms Survey (2012). "Surveying the Battlefield: Illicit Arms In Afghanistan, Iraq, and Somalia" (PDF). Small Arms Survey 2012: Moving Targets. Cambridge University Press. p. 339. ISBN 978-0-521-19714-4.
  46. ↑ GAROWEONLINE (2016-03-17). "Puntland clashes enter second day in Somalia: Who's fighting whom?". Garowe Online. Retrieved 2017-07-06.
  • Koll, Christian (2009). Soviet Cannon – A Comprehensive Study of Soviet Arms and Ammunition in Calibres 12.7mm to 57mm. Austria: Koll. p. 195. ISBN 978-3-200-01445-9.

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