In September 1962, by order of the USSR Minister of Defense, an all-weather self-propelled 23-mm anti-aircraft artillery system (anti-aircraft) was adopted into service with the air defense of the Ground Forces. self-propelled gun ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" (2A6 complex). The Shilka ZSU was intended to provide air defense to units of motorized rifle (tank) regiments in various combat conditions, including on the march, at different times of the year and day, in any weather. The main characteristics of "Shilka" and its foreign analogue are given in the table. The main 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 development of the Shilka self-propelled gun, 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 (we are telling it 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 range of up to 10 km.

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

Since then, for many years, the S-125 air defense system and the Shilka air defense system have participated in real combat operations on different continents, were used by the troops, and are still in service with the armies of many countries around the world, and have been modernized several times. And almost forty years later, their latest (in time) modifications met at the international aerospace salons MAKS-99 and MAKS-2001, which were held in the town of Zhukovsky near Moscow. Words by Academician A.A. Raspletin turned out to be prophetic: the S-125 air defense system, the Shilka ZSU and their modifications have been regularly serving in military service for almost half a century.

“Shilka” was the first self-propelled gun in the history of the development of domestic anti-aircraft guns, which could effectively fire at air targets in motion. 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. The ZSU-23-4 replaced the towed small-caliber anti-aircraft guns and ZPUs 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 USSR Ministry of Transport Engineering - the lead developer of the ZSU as a whole and the developer of the tracked chassis (chief designer of the installation as a whole - N.A. Astrov);
• Leningrad Optical-Mechanical Association - developer of a radio instrument complex (RPK-2 "Tobol"), consisting of a tracking radar, a computer and optical means (chief designer of the RPK - V.E. Pikkel);
• design bureau of the Tula Radioelements Plant (later the Strela Research Institute of the USSR Ministry of Radio Industry) - developer of tracking radar (chief designer of the radar - Ya.I. Nazarov);
• Central Design Research Bureau of Sports small arms(Tula) - developer of a quad 23-mm automatic anti-aircraft gun;
• All-Russian Research Institute of Electromechanical Devices of the Ministry of Electrical Engineering of the USSR - developer of electrical equipment for the power supply system of the self-propelled gun system and electric motors for drives;
• Scientific Research Automotive Institute and the Kaluga Experimental Motor Plant of the Ministry of Automotive Industry of the USSR are the developers of a gas turbine engine for the power supply system.

The Shilka self-propelled gun includes the following elements:

• 23-mm quad 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 listed ZSU equipment was placed on a cross-country tracked chassis. Combat work anti-aircraft installation under all weather conditions, it was provided by a radio instrument complex, consisting of: a gun-laying radar, a counting device and a sighting device. The radar made it possible to detect an air target during a circular or sectoral (within 30–80 degrees) search in azimuth and simultaneous search in elevation (within 30 degrees). Target acquisition 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. The root-mean-square error of automatic tracking of an air target in range was 10 m. Based on the coordinates of the air target determined by the radar, the computing device generated advanced data for aiming guns at the expected point using power hydraulic drives.

The ZSU-23-4 ensured the destruction of air targets flying at speeds of up to 450 m/s in a circular firing zone at a range of up to 2500 m and a height of up to 2000 m. The AZP-23-4 anti-aircraft gun had a rate of fire of up to 4000 rounds per minute, installation ammunition - 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 subsequently - part of an anti-aircraft battery (six ZSU) of an anti-aircraft division of a motorized rifle (tank) regiment. The battery was controlled by the regiment's air defense chief through the automated control point 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. The Shilka could be used not only to cover regiment units from enemy air strikes operating at low and extremely low altitudes, but also to fight ground enemies, including lightly armored targets.

It should be noted that simultaneously with the development of the ZSU-23-4, the design of a unit equipped with a twin 37-mm cannon (ZSU-37-2 “Yenisei”) was underway. 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 anti-aircraft self-propelled 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 the cannon assault rifles and the insufficient reliability of the guns in general. It was also planned to install a 37-mm quad Shkval assault rifle on the Yenisei, which was not adopted for service due to low reliability.

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

In the Syrian army, batteries armed with the Shilka ZSU were part of the anti-aircraft divisions of tank divisions and separate 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 Shilkas acted autonomously. Fire on aircraft was opened from a range of 1500–2000 meters, as a rule, upon visual detection of an air target. It should be noted, however, that radars were practically not used in combat conditions for a number of reasons. Firstly, combat operations were carried out mainly on rough terrain, including mountains, where the terrain did not allow the radar to fully realize its capabilities for detecting air targets (the line of sight range was small). Secondly, the Syrian combat crews were not sufficiently prepared to work with complex equipment and preferred the use of radar to visually detect air targets. Thirdly, the radar installations have limited search capabilities without preliminary target designation, which was absent in those conditions. However, as combat experience has shown, the Shilka self-propelled guns proved to be quite effective means, especially to combat 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 3,300 to 5,700 shells were used for each aerial target shot down. During October 1973, out of 98 aircraft shot down by Syrian air defense systems (SAM "Kvadrat", MANPADS "Strela-2M", ZSU "Shilka"), the 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 has proven 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 for hitting ground targets. In this regard, it should be noted that the ZSU fire, in addition to the actual combat effect (fire damage to objects, including lightly armored ones), also had a strong psychological impact on the enemy. A sea of ​​fire and a barrage of fragments created by the firing of a rapid-fire anti-aircraft machine gun often caused panic among the enemy and led to a temporary loss of combat effectiveness.

After the ZSU-23-4 was adopted by the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces (in 1962), this complex underwent several modernizations. The first was carried out in 1968–1969, as a result of which the operational and ergonomic characteristics of the installation were improved, living conditions for calculations were improved, and the life of the gas turbine unit was increased (from 300 to 450 hours). To point the tracking radar at a visually detected air target, a commander's guidance device was introduced. The modernized installation received the name ZSU-23-4V.

Further modernization of the ZSU was carried out in the direction of improving the computing device and increasing the reliability of electronic equipment. The resource of the gas turbine unit was also increased from 450 to 600 hours. The ZSU with these improvements was named 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 rounds), and the life of the gas turbine unit was also increased (from 600 to 900 hours). In 1977–1978, the Shilka was equipped with a “Luk” interrogator for 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 body. Due to this, the transportable ammunition was increased (from 2000 to 3000 rounds), and also night vision equipment was introduced, providing the ability to fire at ground targets at night. This variant was named ZSU-23-4M2.

Many years of operating experience and combat use The Shilka self-propelled gun showed its certain shortcomings:

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

Based on a generalization of experience in the operation and combat use of the ZSU, it was concluded that new complex This class must be as autonomous as possible, ensure independent detection of low-flying targets using its own detection means, and have longer-range means of destroying airplanes and helicopters. In order to expand the firing zone of air targets (to ensure destruction to the point where they can use airborne weapons against covered objects), it was considered advisable to install an additional missile weapons with an optical sighting system and radio control for missile defense. As a result of the analysis of these findings, requirements for a new complex of this type were formed. It was the Tunguska anti-aircraft gun and 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. Thus, at the international aerospace salon MAKS-99, held in the town 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 gun-missile system, since in addition to the standard cannon armament, the combat vehicle was equipped with Strela-2 MANPADS anti-aircraft guided missiles.

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

The optical-location system of the Shilka-M5 ZSU provides search, detection, automatic and semi-automatic tracking of air targets. The Minotor-service company provided modernization of the chassis and power plant. By changing the layout of the engine compartment, it was possible to place an auxiliary diesel engine, which provides power supply when parked. 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 is installed. The overview of the surrounding environment, which is carried out using a video camera, has been improved. This ensures that the vehicle can be driven and maneuvered in reverse in combat conditions. In order to increase the survivability of the installation, its thermal signature has been reduced, for which the most heated elements of the body (engine compartment, exhaust pipes) are covered with heat-absorbing material. Sensors are installed on the body that record the radiation exposure of the machine. laser beam. Signals coming from such sensors are used to generate commands for firing smoke grenades in the direction of the radiation source in order to disrupt the guidance of ATGMs with laser guidance systems. To increase crew safety, 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 twentieth century (the collapse of the USSR, the formation in its place of independent states with their own armies, etc.) also reached the long-lived ZSU-23-4 complex. In Ukraine at the end of the 1990s, based on “Shilka” at the Kharkov Tractor Plant named after. Malyshev developed the Donets missile and artillery complex. It uses the main elements of the following types of Soviet military equipment: the ZSU-23-4 Shilka turret, the Strela-10SV short-range air defense missiles, and the T-80UD tank chassis.

A distinctive feature of this complex is that on the sides of the turret with four 23-mm cannons there are two twin launchers with Strela-10SV air defense missiles. Artillery weapons ensure the destruction of air targets at a range of up to 2.5 km at an altitude of up to 2 km, missiles - at a range of up to 4.5 km at an altitude of up to 3.5 km. The ammunition capacity of the guns has been increased to 4000 rounds.

The complex has equipment that provides target designation reception from external sources. Changes have also been made to the chassis - an APU has appeared, which ensures the operation of the combat vehicle's equipment in the parking lot when the main engine is 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 T-80 tank chassis. It houses a three-dimensional detection radar. When creating the complex, it was assumed that it would be exported to countries that had previously purchased tanks manufactured in Kharkov. In particular, Pakistan, which purchased 320 T-80UD tanks from Ukraine.

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

1. Some doubts

Throughout this war, I had the feeling that something was missing; there was unsaidness in the air. Dill have already rolled out everything they could against Donbass, but one thing remained behind the scenes. This is a 2A6 ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”. An old system, but proven in many wars.

Shaking hands, Vika gives a vague formulation:
"Ukraine - according to official information, they are in service, the number and condition are unknown (Official website of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (English version)." Frankly speaking, about nothing.

Over all the years of its existence, dill has acquired a bad reputation as a squanderer of the USSR's heritage and air defense systems ground forces were no exception. Getting ready for war with Russia, the troops were massively mobilized and deployed, but they were covered from the air by only a dozen Tunguskas, a small number of Strel-10s and Os. In addition, most anti-aircraft missiles have already survived two service lives. Out of desperation, the proto-Ukrainians used the 2S6 as a rapid-fire cannon in infantry battle formations; one of them was torn apart by a direct hit from a shell in Debaltsevo.

The saddest fate awaited the ZSU-23-4 - it simply did not appear in the troops at all.

The experience of recent military conflicts with the participation of the Shilka has shown it to be a serious combat unit, not so much in terms of force as in the psychological impact on the enemy - not every infantry can withstand its barrage of fire. It is in the universality of goals that its power lies. Moreover, in the Donbass, at first there would be practically nothing threatening it - the militia did not have aviation or means of combating armored vehicles at the beginning of the war.

The debriefing led to interesting conclusions: there were only a small number of living ZSUs, even fewer than the monuments to them.

2. Surviving copies.
Information was collected literally bit by bit, there was so little of it.

The very first was a photo from the Crimean village of Perevalnoye, where in March 2014 the 36th coastal defense brigade of the Ukrop Army unsuccessfully held its defense. Ilya Varlamov pleased the world with a shot from the park of the unit, where 12 "Shilok" froze in eternal parking. They were also included in the reports of KP.ru and an.crimea.ua from loading onto platforms for delivery to the owner, about five installations, some tail numbers: 413, 415, 416, 421. The technical condition is unsatisfactory, they have not been painted since the times of the USSR.

2.2. At the same time, several more cars were filmed in other parts:
- three in the town of Chernomorskoe:

Two in the village. Ulyanovka (one of the rooms 262):

Two more in the 93rd Mechanized Brigade (numbers 847 and 848):

2.3. By some twist of fate, two ZSUs ended up at the southern and northern checkpoints of the city of Nikolaev, when the Kuyev junta hysterically surrounded all the cities with them in the spring. There are no numbers, but one of the installations had an unusual three-color camouflage:

2.4. Already in the fall, due to the catastrophic loss of equipment at the front, dill began to feverishly put various scrap metal into operation, and in this process three more Shilkas appeared:

IN training center"Gum":

In some military unit in the town of Balakleya, Kharkov region:

In Nikolaev, where some vocational school students began its repair with fanfare in the press:

In total, approximately 15 installations were noted, about half of which are on the move. Not a lot, to be honest.

The far-reaching plans of the sub-Pindosians regarding "Shilok" were revealed in two moments:
- transportation on a trailer of ZSU No. 842 in newfangled “bed” armor protection (maybe we’ll see it at the front?):

Participation in demonstration exercises in the Odessa region of the Nikolaev installation, where it was specially delivered for this purpose:

There she was demonstrated on foot and even shooting:

In total, it can be stated that dill demonstrated a lack of material in commercial quantities and the deplorable state of what was available.

3. Monuments of former power.

Poltava, air defense school:

Zaporozhye, open air museum:

Energodar, Zaporozhye region:

Yuzhnoukrainsk, Nikolaev region:

Kharkov, near KhUVS:

Nikolaev, park:

Kyiv, Museum of the Great Patriotic War:

Kyiv, military academy:

Training center "Desna", Chernihiv region:

Balakleya, Kharkov region:

Some military unit:

Outside the competition, "Shilki" of the military department of the Donetsk Polytechnic Institute perform. There were five available, two of them are pictured:

4. Conclusion

To use lightly armored Shilkas at the front at the current stage would be the greatest stupidity. This is a war of howitzers, MLRS and unmanned aerial vehicles. The presence of tanks and numerous anti-tank weapons among the militia will make them easy prey. It’s better to let the dill build new pedestals for the remaining installations.

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Yu.M. Soykin, O.A. Shiryaev
Construction and operation of the ZSU-23-4 “Shilka” self-propelled anti-aircraft gun

1. GENERAL DEVICE OF ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”

1.1. Purpose and performance characteristics ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"

23 mm quad anti-aircraft self-propelled gun ZSU-23-4 “Shilka” designed to protect combat formations of troops, columns on the march, stationary objects from enemy air attacks at altitudes up to 1500 m, ranges up to 2500 m at target speeds up to 450 m/sec.

The SPAAG can also be used to engage ground and surface targets at a range of up to 2000 m.

Performance characteristics of the ZSU-23-4:

a) combat characteristics:

– the installation provides:

– firing at air targets at a range of up to 2500 m at altitudes up to 1500 m at target flight speeds of up to 450 m/sec;

– firing at ground and surface targets at a range of up to 2000 m;

– rate of fire (from 4 machine guns) – at least 3400-3600 rounds per minute;

– air target detection range – up to 20 km;

– automatic target tracking range – up to 17 km;

– combat kit – 2000 rounds;

b) maneuverability characteristics:

– speed of movement of the ZSU:

– on the highway – up to 65 km/h;

– on a dirt road – up to 40 km/h;

– overcoming ZSU obstacles:

– maximum angle of ascent and descent – ​​up to 30°;

– lateral roll – up to 20°;

– ford depth – up to 1.5 m;

– height of the wall to be overcome – up to 1 m;

– the width of the ditch to be overcome is up to 2.5 m;

– time for transferring the ZSU from the traveling position to the combat position and back – 5 minutes;

c) operational characteristics:

- time continuous operation- 8 ocloc'k;

– power reserve (taking into account the fuel reserve for 1.5-2 hours of gas turbine engine operation) when driving:

– on the highway – 450 km;

– on a dirt road – 300 km;

– average fuel consumption per 100 km when driving:

– on the highway – 80 l;

– on a dirt road – 130 l;

d) weight and dimensional characteristics:

– combat weight – 19 tons;

– length – 6.54 m;

– width – 3.16 m;

– height in stowed position – 2.58 m;

– height in combat position – 3.57 m;

e) technical characteristics:

– number of machines – 4 pcs;

– machine gun caliber – 23 mm;

– initial projectile speed – 950-1000 m/sec;

– gun pointing angles:

– vertically – from – 4° to + 85°;

– horizontally – 360°;

– gun pointing speed:

– in azimuth – 70°/sec;

– by elevation angle – 60°/sec.

1.2. Composition of ZSU-23-4, purpose and placement of elements

The ZSU-23-4 includes:

– 23 mm quadruple automatic anti-aircraft gun AZP-23;

– power guidance drives 2E2;

– radar instrument complex RPK-2;

– primary power supply system;

– tracked vehicle GM-575;

– tank navigation equipment TNA-2;

– day and night observation devices and commander’s observation device;

– internal and external communication equipment (radio station R-123 and intercom R-124);

– anti-nuclear protection and fire-fighting equipment (PAZ and PPO);

– ventilation and heating system.

23 mm quad automatic anti-aircraft gun (A3P-23)

Power guidance drives 2E2 serve for aiming the AZP-23 cannon in azimuth and elevation angle.

Radar instrument complex RPK-2 designed for fire control AZP-23.

Primary power supply system (PPS) provides power supply to ZSU systems and components with direct (27.5 and 55 V) and alternating current (220 V 400 Hz).

Tracked vehicle GM-575 designed for installation and transportation of weapons, self-propelled gun equipment and crew accommodation.

Tank navigation equipment TNA-2 serves to determine the location of the ZSU-23-4 when it moves in conditions of difficult orientation.

Day and night observation devices designed to monitor the environment at any time of the day. Commander's observation device (CPN) serves for semi-automatic pointing of the RPK-2 antenna in azimuth and elevation to the target.

Internal and external communication equipment provides external communication and communication between settlement numbers.

Anti-nuclear protection equipment provides a reduction in the impact on the crew damaging factors weapons of mass destruction.

Fire-fighting equipment serves to extinguish fire in the self-propelled gun system.

Ventilation system designed to maintain normal temperature conditions of equipment and improve living conditions.

Heating system designed for heating crew members in winter.

All elements are located in compartments and cabinets of the ZSU (see appendices 1 and 2). The cabinets are metal frames in which the RPK units are located. The connecting wires of all components, assemblies and units are combined into bundles laid throughout the ZSU.

1.3. Installation calculation and its responsibilities

Crew of ZSU-23-4 consists of four people:

– installation commander;

– search operator-guider (1st number);

– range operator (number 2);

– driver mechanic (number 3).

The responsibilities of the ZSU crew are determined by the Rules for shooting and combat work on anti-aircraft artillery systems of the Air Defense Forces of the Ground Forces, part 6 “Platoon of anti-aircraft self-propelled guns ZSU23-4”.

The installation commander is obliged to:

– maintain constant combat readiness of personnel and equipment;

– skillfully command the crew in battle, persistently achieving the assigned combat mission;

– know the material part of the installation and the rules of its operation, prepare the installation for firing and select the required mode of combat operation, skillfully perform the duties of crew numbers;

– conduct continuous surveillance of the air and ground enemy, skillfully use the terrain when choosing a position for installation, point the antenna and turret at the target using the CPT, observe the results of firing, make timely corrections and adjustments;

– maintain stable radio contact with the platoon commander;

– require the crew to comply with safety measures and fire safety measures;

– take timely measures to maintain the installation, and if it is damaged, report to the platoon commander and organize repairs; – systematically monitor the consumption of ammunition, fuel, lubricants and promptly report this to the platoon commander.

The search operator-guider (1st number) is obliged to:

– know the material part of the radar instrument complex, operating rules and prepare it for firing in a timely manner;

– continuously monitor enemy air in a designated sector or carry out a circular search, timely detect air targets, identify them and switch to automatic tracking;

– at the command of the installation commander, fire at air and ground targets; – carry out maintenance of the RPK, detect and eliminate malfunctions and immediately report them to the installation commander;

– strictly comply with the requirements of safety regulations and fire prevention measures.

The range operator (2nd number) is obliged to:

– know the design and operation of the radar station and gun, control the operation of the radar in all modes and monitor its operation;

– track the target at range;

– carry out maintenance of the radar and gun, detect, eliminate malfunctions and immediately report them to the installation commander.

The driver (3rd number) is obliged to:

– know the structure and operating rules of the material part of the tracked vehicle (GM-575) and the power supply system, skillfully drive the unit in any terrain conditions, at any time of the day or year, and carry out maintenance of the tracked vehicle and power supply system;

– maintain a designated position in the platoon’s marching and combat formations, skillfully overcome obstacles, natural obstacles and fords, or bypass them at the command of the installation commander;

– provide the most favorable conditions for reconnaissance and fire while moving; – promptly refill the vehicle with fuel, lubricants and coolant;

– promptly detect and eliminate malfunctions of the tracked vehicle and power supply system and immediately report this to the installation commander;

- monitor the ground enemy and the actions of friendly troops.

The crew of the installation must be able to use internal and external communications, surveillance devices, anti-nuclear protection equipment, navigation equipment, fire-fighting equipment, know the rules for handling ammunition, be able to load them into belts, load and unload ammunition and links.

2. AUTOMATIC ANTI-AIRCASE GUN AZP-23

2.1. Purpose, composition, characteristics and operating principle of AZP-23

23 mm quad automatic anti-aircraft gun (AZP-23) designed to destroy air and ground targets.

AZP-23 includes (Fig. 2.1):

– four 23-mm machine guns;

– upper and lower cradles;

– base with a tower;

– guidance and stopping mechanisms;

– vending machine power system;

– barrel cooling system;

– loading and reloading system;

– electrical equipment.

Rice. 2 .1 . Placement of AZP-23 elements

Tactical and technical characteristics of AZP-23:

– rate of fire:

– from one barrel – 850 – 900 rounds/min.;

– from 4 barrels – 3400 – 3600 rounds/min.;

– initial projectile speed – 950 – 1000 m/sec.;

– combat kit – 2000 shells;

– horizontal guidance angle – unlimited;

– vertical guidance angle – from -4° to +85°;

– gun mass – 4964 kg;

– weight of one machine gun – 85 kg;

– cartridge weight – 0.45 kg;

– capacity of the barrel cooling system – 85 l.

Operating principle of AZP-23-x

The gun's ammunition is placed in cartridge boxes, from which cartridges in belts are supplied through metal sleeves and trays to the machine guns.

The initial loading of the gun is done pneumatically using compressed air. The moving parts of the machine move back and stop, the cartridge is fed to the loading line. The opening of fire is carried out by the ZSU commander or search operator-gunner using an electric trigger.

The operation of the gun's automation is based on the principle of using the energy of powder gases. When fired, part of the gases through the gas outlet throws the moving parts of the machine back. The shutter opens, the spent cartridge case is removed and ejected, and the next cartridge is fed to the loading line.

The barrels are cooled during firing by liquid (water or antifreeze) supplied by a pump from the tank of the barrel cooling system.

The gun is aimed using power electro-hydraulic guidance drives or manually using guidance mechanisms.

2.2. The design of the machine and the operation of its main components

23 mm machine gun- This automatic weapon, in which locking and unlocking the barrel bore, firing a shot, removing a spent cartridge case from the chamber and reflecting it, feeding the tape into the receiver and feeding the next cartridge into the chamber are carried out automatically using the energy of powder gases discharged through a side hole in the barrel wall (Fig. 2.2 ).

Rice. 2 .2 . 23 mm machine gun

All 4 machines are identical in design and differ only in the details of the tape feed mechanism and the coolant discharge pipelines.

The machines are installed on the cradle on the right and left. The right machine gun has right-hand cartridge supply, the left one has left-hand supply.

Composition of the machine(Fig. 2.3):

– receiver;

– bolt frame;

– shutter;

– receiver cover;

– feeding mechanism;

– electric trigger;

– butt plate;

– pneumatic recharging mechanism;

– rollback shock absorbers (2 for each machine);

– link tap.

Rice. 2 .3 . Machine composition:

1 – trunk; 2 – receiver; 3 – bolt frame; 4 – shutter; 5 – receiver cover; 6 – electric release; 7 – butt plate; 8 – pneumatic recharging mechanism; 9 – rollback shock absorbers; 10 – branch link

Trunk serves to direct the flight of the projectile and give it an initial speed (Fig. 2.4).

The inside of the trunk is called the canal. It has a chamber to accommodate the cartridge and a rifled section with 10 rifling, running from left to top to right and providing the projectile with rotation and stability in flight.

The barrel has a flame arrester and a gas chamber, which serves to remove powder gases that activate the automation.

On the outer surface of the barrel there is a cooling system casing in which coolant circulates.

Rice. 2 .4 . Trunk

Receiver serves to connect the main elements of the machine and direct the movement of moving parts (Fig. 2.5).

Rice. 2 .5 . Receiver

Bolt carrier activates the moving parts of the machine. It raises and lowers the bolt, moves the rammer, activates the feed mechanism, compresses the return spring of the pneumatic reloading mechanism and the recoil pad spring.

The bolt carrier consists of a frame, a piston and a rammer (Fig. 2.6). DOWithslAtel inserts the cartridge into the chamber and removes the spent cartridge case from the chamber.

Rice. 2 .6 . Bolt carrier

Gate serves to lock the barrel bore, fire a shot and initially release the cartridge case when removing it from the chamber. It consists of a frame within which the impact mechanism is assembled (Fig. 2.7). When the bolt moves upward, it locks the barrel bore, while the firing pin of the percussion mechanism punctures the primer. A shot occurs. After the shot, due to the backward movement of the bolt frame, the bolt moves down and produces the initial release of the cartridge case.

Rice. 2 .7 . Gate

Receiver cover together with the cutout on the receiver, it forms a receiving window for a belt with cartridges (Fig. 2.8).

Rice. 2 .8 . Receiver cover

Feeder is intended for feeding a belt with cartridges into the receiver of the machine gun and feeding the cartridge to the dispensing line. It is a system of levers, grooves and protrusions, which, due to the movement of the bolt frame, move the tape and the next cartridge (Fig. 2.9).

Rice. 2 .9 . Feeding mechanism elements

Electric descent serves for remote fire control, signaling the machine is ready to fire and for operating the cartridge balance counter (Fig. 2.10).

Consists of a sear, an electromagnetic device and a readiness sensor. WhisperAlO holds the bolt carrier in the rearmost position. EleTotrohmGnitBute deviceOystin serves for remote control of the sear operation. DAtchiToGOTramsti provides an alarm that the machine is ready to fire and the operation of a counter for the remaining cartridges.

Rice. 2 .10 . Electric descent

Butt pad is the rear wall of the receiver (Fig. 2.11). It has a buffer device that softens the impact of the bolt frame during rollback and gives it an intense push forward at the beginning of the rollback.

Rice. 2 .11 . Butt plate, pneumatic reloading mechanism and link tap

Pneumatic recharging mechanism serves to move the moving parts of the machine gun to the rear position (for placing on the sear) at the beginning of shooting and when unloading the machine gun (Fig. 2.11).

Recoil shock absorbers are designed to reduce the recoil of the machine gun when fired and return it to its original firing position (Fig. 2.12). Consist of a cylindrical body and a spring. Each machine has two shock absorbers.

Rice. 2 .12 . Recoil shock absorber

Bend link serves to remove links and is installed on the receiver (Fig. 2.11). It is a tray through which used links from the machine are sent to the link collector.

Operation of the machine gun when firing

The initial loading of the gun is done pneumatically. When you press the RELOAD button on the ZSU commander's console, compressed air through a pneumatic piston moves back the bolt frame and the rammer lever. The cartridge is fed to the delivery line. The bolt frame meets the electric trigger sear and stops (Fig. 2.13).

Rice. 2 .13 . The position of the machine gun parts when chambering a cartridge

When the FIRE button is pressed by the ZSU commander (or the trigger pedal is pressed by the search operator-gunner), the electric trigger sear releases the bolt frame, which moves forward. The rammer pushes the cartridge out of the belt link and sends it into the chamber.

The bolt moves up and locks the barrel, while the firing pin of the percussion mechanism punctures the primer. A shot occurs (Fig. 2.14).

Rice. 2 .14 . The position of the machine gun parts when the capsule is broken

Powder gases act on the projectile, imparting forward motion to it. Part of the gases after the projectile passes through the gas outlet hole in the barrel wall is diverted into gas chamber. Due to this, the bolt frame moves back, the bolt moves down and unlocks the barrel. The rammer removes the spent cartridge case from the chamber and pushes it out of the machine gun. The feed mechanism delivers the next cartridge to the dispensing line. If the FIRE button is pressed, the described cycle is repeated.

The spent cartridges are thrown overboard of the SPAAG along the cartridge outlets, and the links are poured into the links collector.

2.3. Construction of a base with a tower, cradles and guidance and locking mechanisms

Base with tower designed to accommodate the AZP-23, power guidance drives, the RPK-2 radar instrument system and the crew. Consists of from the base, armored turret, frame and shoulder strap (Fig. 2.15).

Rice. 2 .15 . Base with tower

ABOUT With novan no – welded one-piece structure for accommodating elements of the self-propelled gun system. In the front part of the base there is a link collector for collecting links when firing. Through the link collection door, which is located in the driver's compartment, used links are unloaded after firing.

Br He e va I would A w n I Designed to protect the crew and equipment of the self-propelled gun system from various damaging factors. Welded from armor plates and attached to the base.

WITH T en And on used to accommodate cradles with automatic machines. It is a welded structure made of steel and armor plates, attached to the turret.

P O G He ensures rotation of the base with the tower. It consists of 2 rings - a fixed one and a movable one, rotating due to the balls placed between them. The fixed ring is attached to the body of the self-propelled gun, the movable ring is attached to the base.

Cradles are the swinging part of the AZP-23, on which machine guns, manual loading and reloading mechanisms, cooling system hoses, and barrel plug release mechanisms are installed.

Rice. 2 .16 . Upper cradle

The upper and lower cradles are similar in design, connected to each other by a rod, and two automatic machines are attached to each cradle (Fig. 2.16).

The movement to the swinging part is transmitted from the vertical guidance gearbox through two ring gears on the lower cradle (Fig. 2.17).

Rice. 2 .17 . Lower cradle

Z A wilderness To and st in l ov protect the barrels of machine guns from dust, dirt, snow, etc. (Fig. 2.18). There are two mechanisms for resetting the plugs - for the upper and lower machines. They are released from the trunks automatically when the swinging part begins to move (± 7°), and are closed manually after it is locked at an elevation angle of 14°.

Rice. 2 .18 . Barrel plugs

Guiding and locking mechanisms serve for guiding and locking the AZP-23 in the horizontal and vertical planes (Fig. 2.19).

The guidance mechanism includes horizontal and vertical guidance mechanisms, and the locking mechanism includes a horizontal stopper and a swinging part stopper.

Rice. 2 .19 . Guiding and locking mechanisms

Fur en from m G O Reese He T A l But G she in e d e n and I serves to rotate the tower in azimuth and includes a horizontal gearbox, a manual guidance flywheel and a mechanism for switching guidance methods. The guidance method is set using the MANUAL - POWER handle. In this case, guidance is carried out either by a manual flywheel or by power guidance drives.

Fur en from m in erty ka l But G she in e d e n and I serves to move the swinging part of the gun along the elevation angle and consists of a vertical guidance gearbox, a manual guidance flywheel, and a mechanism for switching guidance methods. The guidance method is set using the FLYWHEEL – POWER handle.

G O Reese He T A l us th st O P O R serves to lock the rotating part in the stowed position. The stopper is located at the base of the unit. When the stopper flywheel rotates, its lock locks the base ring with the tower.

WITH T O P O R ka h A current hour A sti serves to stop it in motion. The stopper handle has two positions – STOP and LOAD. Locking is carried out at an elevation angle of the swinging part equal to 14°.

2.4. Automatic power supply systems, barrel cooling and electrical equipment

Vending machine power system designed to provide machine guns with cartridges during firing and to remove spent cartridges, links and misfired cartridges.

Right-hand and left-hand feed systems have the same design and include: cartridge box, large and small feed hoses, sector trays, winch, shield and visor (Fig. 2.20).

Rice. 2 .20 . Vending machine power system

P A tr He is at I co R O b ka serves to accommodate a cartridge strip with cartridges. It has two compartments with feeders: for the upper machine gun with 520 rounds, for the lower one with 480 rounds. The compartments are closed with lids.

B O lsh O th and ma l s th Oh yeah yushchie ru kava serve to supply the tape with cartridges from the box to the sector trays.

WITH e To T O R us e l O T To And serve to feed cartridges in a tape into the receiving window of the machine and sending the first cartridge into the feed mechanism of the machine.

Lebe dka serves for placing the cartridge strip into the box when loading ammunition from the ground.

Shield OK And co h s re To ensure the release of links into the link collector at any elevation angle of the swinging part.

P A tr He is at I am le n T A metal, loose, consists of individual links (Fig. 2.21).

Rice. 2 .21 . Cartridge belt

The principle of operation of the power system is based on feeding a belt with cartridges from boxes through sleeves and trays to the machines. For feeding, the energy of the moving parts of the machines and part of the rollback energy of the machines is used.

Barrel cooling system designed to cool barrels during firing and consists of a cooling block, tank and hoses (Fig. 2.22).

Bl ok oh xl azhd e n and I located on the right side of the base and consists of an electric motor, gearbox and pump.

An electric motor through a gearbox rotates the shaft of a pump with a capacity of 80 l/min, which supplies coolant to the cooling system.

Coolant: in summer – water with an anti-corrosion additive, in winter – antifreeze.

B ak with a capacity of 85 liters is located in the left front compartment of the AZP-23. The tank has a window with a coolant level indicator.

Flexible rubber rubbers are used to circulate fluid in the system. wowengi, protected on the outside by a wire sheath.

Inclusion cooling system is produced before opening fire in one of 3 ways:

1) the COOLING toggle switch on the fire handle of the SPAAG commander;

2) the COOLING button on the control handle of the T-55 unit of the search operator-gunner;

3) a safety lever on the release pedal of the search operator-gunner.

The activation of the system is indicated by the lighting of the COOLING lamp on the commander's console.

When the cooling system is operating, liquid circulates through hoses through the barrel cooling casings and is drained into the tank, where it is cooled.

Rice. 2 .22 . Barrel cooling system

Loading and reloading system serves for cocking the moving parts of machine guns. It includes a pneumatic reloading system and manual loading and reloading mechanisms.

The main one is pneumatic reloading, and manual reloading is backup.

WITH iste ma P n e VMA tices co th perez A rya dk And consists of a compressor, 2 main and 1 reserve compressed air cylinders, tubes and valves (Fig. 2.23).

When the system is operating, the compressor pumps compressed air at a pressure of 65 atm. into the main cylinders. When you press the RELOAD buttons of any of the assault rifles on the SPAAG commander’s console, compressed air is supplied through pipelines to the pneumatic reloading mechanism of the assault rifle and moves the moving parts to the rear position (places the bolt frame on the sear). If there is a misfired cartridge, it is removed from the chamber and enters the link collector.

Rice. 2 .23 . Pneumatic recharging system

If the compressor fails, a reserve cylinder with a compressed air pressure of 150 atm is connected to the system.

Fur en from m hand But G O h A rya jean Iya and Perez A rya jean and I installed on each machine. It consists of: a handle, cables, rotating drums, a chain and a pusher (Fig. 2.24).

When the mechanism is operating, the operator pulls the cable until it stops using the handle. In this case, the cables and chain move the pusher through the drums, due to which the moving parts of the machine move back. The misfired cartridge is removed and falls into the link collector.

Rice. 2 .24 . Manual loading and reloading mechanism

Electrical equipment AZP-23 serves to control the firing of machine guns, signal their readiness to fire, carry out pneumatic loading of each machine gun, control the operation of the barrel cooling system, count the number of remaining cartridges in each cartridge box and ignite the gas-air mixture in the machine gun compartment.

Part electrical equipment includes a commander's console, a fire handle, a trigger pedal, a counter for the remaining cartridges, a pump motor for the barrel cooling system, a system for igniting the gas-air mixture and blocking.

Remote controller teams ir A provides control and monitoring of the operation of AZP-23. All controls and alarms are installed on it (Fig. 2.25).

Rice. 2 .25 . Controls AZP-23

RU co yat ka o G n I ZSU commander (Fig. 2.26) and downkovaI'm notYesl search-gunner operator (Fig. 2.27) are used to turn on the cooling system and open fire.

Rice. 2 .26 . Fire handle

Rice. 2 .27 . Release pedal

WITH chetchy to about st A T ka P A tr onov designed to count the number of cartridges remaining in the cartridge box.

D V ig A tel on With O With A system we about xl azhd e n Ia st in l ov ensures the operation of the pump that supplies coolant to the cooling system.

WITH iste ma P oj ig A G A h ovo h d ear But s m if you ignites the gas-air mixture formed during firing.

The electrical circuit provides the following blOKirovkAnd: a) prohibiting shooting:

– at barrel elevation angles below the value set by the ANGLE LIMIT switch on the commander’s console (from 0 to 40°), when firing near friendly troops, in the forest, in front of an obstacle;

– with the barrel cooling system turned off;

– when the target is outside the affected area determined by the SRP;

b) excluding the inclusion of power guidance drives:

– when locking the rotating and swinging part of the AZP-23 in a traveling manner;

– with the driver’s hatch open;

– with the door of the link guard open (where it is located).

For firing when any of the locks fails, there is an EMERGENCY FIRE mode, activated by a toggle switch on the commander's console.

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

We can talk about this complex endlessly, but one thing is enough. short phrase: “In service since 1965.” And enough, in general.

History... The history of its creation has been replicated in such a way that it is unrealistic to add anything new or piquant, but speaking about the “Shilka”, one cannot help but note several facts that simply fit the “Shilka” into our military history.

So, the 60s of the last century. Jet aircraft have ceased to be a miracle, representing a completely serious strike force. With completely different speeds and maneuvering capabilities. Helicopters also mounted a propeller and were considered not only as a vehicle, but also as a quite decent weapons platform.

And most importantly, helicopters began to try to catch up with the planes of World War II, 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. The thing is promising, but in the future. But the main load was still borne by anti-aircraft guns of all sizes and calibers.

We have already talked about the ZSU-57-2 and the difficulties that installation calculations encountered when working on low-flying fast targets. Anti-aircraft systems ZU-23, ZP-37, ZSU-57 could hit high-speed targets by accident. The projectiles of the installations, impact action, without a fuse, had to hit the target itself to be guaranteed destruction. I cannot judge how high the probability of a direct hit was.

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

But in general, nothing precise anti-aircraft fire there was no more talk. Anti-aircraft guns could put a barrier in front of the plane, force the pilot to drop bombs or launch missiles with less accuracy.

"Shilka" became a breakthrough in the field of hitting flying targets at non-aircraft high altitudes. Plus mobility, which has already been appreciated by the ZSU-57-2. But the main thing is accuracy.

General designer Nikolai Aleksandrovich Astrov managed to create an incomparable machine that performed well 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 the purpose.

"Shilka" is intended to protect combat formations of troops, columns on the march, stationary objects and railway trains from enemy air attacks at altitudes from 100 to 1500 meters, at ranges from 200 to 2500 meters at target speeds of up to 450 m/s. The Shilka can fire from a standstill and on the move, and is equipped with equipment that provides 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 power drive system designed for guidance.

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

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

An important aspect: “Shilka” can work with both a radar and a conventional optical sighting device.

The locator provides search, detection, automatic tracking of a target, and determines its coordinates. But in the mid-70s, the Americans invented and began arming aircraft with missiles that could find a radar beam using a radar beam and hit it. This is where simplicity comes in handy.

The third component. The GM-575 chassis, on which everything is actually mounted.

The Shilka crew consists of four people: a self-propelled gun commander, a search and 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 hit your head on, but also (it seemed to us) it can easily and naturally apply an electric shock. Very cramped.

Positions of the range operator and gunner-operator. Top view in hover.

Locator screen

Analogue electronics... You look in 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 was responsible for another two dozen 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 down an ambush organized in the mountains is to use the Shilka. A long burst of four barrels and a subsequent shower of high-explosive shells at the intended positions - the best remedy, which saved more than one hundred lives of our soldiers.

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

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

Moreover, a special “Afghan version” was created: a radio device complex was removed, which was completely unnecessary in those conditions. Thanks to it, 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, columns accompanied by Shilka were rarely attacked. This is also a recognition.

It can also be considered recognition that the Shilka is still in service in our army. More than 30 years. Yes, this is far from the same car that began its career in Egypt. “Shilka” has undergone (successfully) more than one deep modernization, and one of these modernizations even received its own name, ZSU-23-4M “Biryusa”.

39 countries, and not only our “faithful friends,” purchased from Soviet Union these cars.

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

I served on it...

Designed for direct cover of ground troops, destruction of air targets at ranges up to 2500 meters and altitudes up to 1500 meters, flying at speeds up to 450 m/s, as well as ground (surface) targets at ranges up to 2000 meters from a standstill, from a short stop and at movement. In the USSR it was part of the regimental-level air defense units of the ground forces.

One of the main reasons for the development of Shilka and its foreign analogues was the appearance in the 50s. anti-aircraft missile systems capable of hitting air targets at medium and high altitudes with a high probability. This forced aviation to use low (up to 300 m) and extremely low (up to 100 m) altitudes when attacking ground targets. The calculations of the air defense systems used at that time simply did not have time to detect and shoot down a high-speed target located in the fire zone within 15-30 s. A new technique was needed - mobile and fast, capable of firing from a standstill and on the move.

In accordance with the resolution of the Council of Ministers of the USSR dated April 17, 1957 No. 426-211, the parallel creation of the rapid-fire Shilka and Yenisei self-propelled guns with radar guidance systems began. It should be noted that this competition became the basis for an excellent result of research and development work, which is not outdated in our time.

In the process of performing this work by the OKB team, post office box 825, under the leadership of chief designer V.E. Pikel and deputy chief designer V.B. Perepelovsky, a number of problems were solved in order to ensure the effectiveness of the developed artillery mount. In particular, the chassis was selected, the type of anti-aircraft installation, the maximum weight of the fire control equipment installed on the chassis, the type of targets served by the installation, as well as the principle of ensuring its all-weather capability were determined. This was followed by the selection of contractors and element base.

During the design studies carried out under the leadership of the Stalin Prize laureate, leading designer L.M. Braudze, the most optimal placement of all elements of the sighting system was determined: radar antenna, anti-aircraft gun barrels, antenna pointing drives, stabilization elements on one rotating base. At the same time, the issue of decoupling the sighting and gun lines of the installation was resolved quite ingeniously.

Formulaic and structural diagrams of the complex were developed, which formed the basis of the design and development work for the creation of the Tobol radio instrument complex. The stated goal of the work was “Development and creation of the all-weather complex “Tobol” for the ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”.

In 1957, after reviewing and evaluating the materials on the Topaz research work presented to the customer at mailbox 825, he was given a technical assignment to carry out the Tobol research and development work. It provided for the development of technical documentation and the production of a prototype of the instrument complex, the parameters of which were determined by the previous Topaz research project. The instrument complex included elements for stabilizing the sighting and gun lines, systems for determining the current and forward coordinates of the target, and radar antenna pointing drives.

The components of the ZSU were delivered by the contractors to the enterprise, post office box 825, where general assembly and coordination of the components were carried out.

In 1960, factory field tests of the ZSU-23-4 were carried out on the territory of the Leningrad region, based on the results of which the prototype was presented for state tests and sent to the Donguzsky artillery range.

In February 1961, plant specialists (N.A. Kozlov, Yu.K. Yakovlev, V.G. Rozhkov, V.D. Ivanov, N.S. Ryabenko, O.S. Zakharov) went there to prepare for the testing and presentation of the ZSU to the commission. In the summer of 1961 they were successfully carried out.

It should be noted that simultaneously with the ZSU-23-4, a prototype ZSU was tested, developed by the State Central Research Institute TsNII-20, which in 1957 was also given the terms of reference for the development of the ZSU (Yenisei). But according to the results of state tests, this product was not accepted for service.

In 1962, the Shilka was put into service and its mass production was organized at factories in a number of cities in the USSR.

Engine

The propulsion engine is an 8D6 diesel model V-6R (since 1969, after minor design changes, the V-6R-1). A six-cylinder, four-stroke, compressorless diesel engine with a liquid cooling system is located in the rear of the ZSU. A cylinder displacement of 19.1 or a compression ratio of 15 creates a maximum power of 280 hp. at a frequency of 2000 rpm. The diesel is powered by two welded fuel tanks (made of aluminum alloy) with a capacity of 405 liters and 110 liters. The first is installed in the bow of the hull. The total fuel supply guarantees 330 km of range and 2 hours of operation of the gas turbine engine. During sea trials on a dirt road, the diesel engine ensured movement at a speed of 50.2 km/h.

A mechanical power transmission with stepwise change in gear ratios is installed in the rear part of the combat vehicle. To transfer forces to the propulsion unit, a multi-disc main dry friction clutch with a mechanical control drive from the driver's pedal is used. The gearbox is mechanical, three-way, five-speed, with synchronizers in II, III, IV and V gears. The rotation mechanisms are planetary, two-stage, with locking clutches. Final drives are single-stage, with spur gears. The machine's tracked propulsion system consists of two drive wheels and two guide wheels with a track tensioning mechanism, as well as two track chains and 12 road wheels.

The car's suspension is independent, torsion bar and asymmetrical. Smooth running is ensured by hydraulic shock absorbers (on the first front, fifth left and sixth right support rollers) and spring stops (on the first, third, fourth, fifth, sixth left and first, third, fourth and sixth right support rollers). The correctness of this decision was confirmed by operation in the army and during combat operations.

Design

The welded body of the TM-575 tracked vehicle is divided into three compartments: control in the bow, combat in the middle and power in the stern. Between them there were partitions that served as the front and rear supports of the tower.

The tower is a welded structure with a ring diameter of 1840 mm. It is attached to the frame by the front frontal plates, on the left and right walls of which the upper and lower gun cradles are attached. When the swinging part of the gun is given an elevation angle, the embrasure of the frame 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 plate: one, with a bolted cover, is used for mounting turret equipment, the other two are closed with a visor and are air inlets for the ventilation of the units and the supercharger of the PAZ system. A casing is welded to the outside of the left side of the turret, designed to remove steam from the gun barrel cooling system. There are two hatches in the rear turret for servicing equipment.

Equipment

The radar-instrument complex is designed to control the fire of the AZP-23 cannon and is located in the instrument compartment of the tower. It consists of: a radar station, a counting device, blocks and elements of stabilization systems for the line of sight and line of fire, and 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 tracked automatically; b) angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range comes from the radar.

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

The disadvantage of radar is its 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, i.e., constant signals from terrain objects and passive interference are not taken into account, and signals from moving targets are sent to the PKK. The radar is controlled by the search operator and the range operator.

Based on the current coordinates of the target, the SRP generates control commands for hydraulic drives that point the guns at the lead point. Then the device solves the problem of projectiles meeting the target and, when it enters the affected area, issues a signal to open fire. During state tests, with timely target designation, the Tobol radio instrument complex detected a MiG-17 aircraft flying at a speed of 450 m/s at a distance of about 13 km and accompanied it automatically from 9 km on a collision course.

Armament

The quadruple Amur gun (four 2A7 anti-aircraft guns) was created on the basis of the 2A14 gun of the ZU-23 towed mount. Equipping with a liquid cooling system, a pneumatic reloading mechanism, guidance drives and an electric trigger ensured high-rate firing in short and long (up to 50 shots) bursts with a break of 10-15 seconds after every 120-150 shots (for each barrel). The gun is distinguished by its high operational reliability; in state tests after 14,000 rounds, failures and breakdowns did not exceed 0.05% versus 0.2-0.3% defined in the tactical and technical specifications for its development.

The gun's automatic operation is based on the principle of using powder gases and partly recoil energy. The supply of shells is lateral, belt, carried out from two special boxes with a capacity of 1000 rounds each. They are installed to the left and right of the gun, with 480 rounds intended for the upper and 520 for the lower machine gun.

Cocking of the moving parts of the machine guns in preparation for firing and reloading is carried out by a pneumatic reloading system.
The machines are installed on two swinging cradles (upper and lower, two on each), mounted vertically on the frame, one above the other. With a horizontal arrangement (zero elevation angle), the distance between the upper and lower machines is 320 mm. Guidance and stabilization of the gun in azimuth and elevation is carried out by power drives with a common electric motor with a power of 6 kW.

The gun's ammunition includes 23-mm armor-piercing incendiary tracer (BZT) and high-explosive fragmentation incendiary tracer (HFZT) shells weighing 190 g and 188.5 g, respectively, with an MG-25 head fuse. Their initial speed reaches 980 m/s, the table ceiling is 1500 m, the table range is 2000 m. The OFZT projectiles are equipped with a self-liquidator that operates within 5-11 s. In the belt, a BZT cartridge is installed every four OFZT cartridges.

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

The first (main) is the auto-tracking mode, angular coordinates and range are determined by the radar, which automatically tracks the target along them, providing data to the computing device (analog computer) for generating pre-emptive coordinates. Fire is opened upon the “Data available” signal on the counting device. The RPK automatically generates full pointing angles, taking into account the pitching and yaw of the self-propelled gun and sends them to the guidance drives, and the latter automatically point the gun at the lead point. Firing is carried out by the commander or search operator - gunner.

The second mode - angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range - from the radar. The angular current coordinates of the target are supplied to the calculating device from the sighting device, which is guided by the search operator - the gunner - semi-automatically, and the range values ​​come 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 operation of the antenna guidance system along angular coordinates, or, in the event of a malfunction in the auto-tracking channel, along the angular coordinates of the radar. Otherwise, the complex works the same as in auto tracking mode.

The third mode - proactive coordinates are generated based on the “remembered” values ​​of the current coordinates X, Y, H and the target velocity components Vx, Vy and Vh, based on the hypothesis of a uniform straight motion targets in any plane. The mode is used when there is a threat of losing a radar target during automatic tracking due to interference or malfunctions.

The fourth mode is shooting using a backup sight, aiming is carried out in semi-automatic mode. The lead is introduced by the search operator - the gunner along the angle rings of the backup sight. This mode is used when the radar, computer and stabilization systems fail.

1-viewing device; 2-shield; 3 - operator landing hatch; 4-radar antenna; 5-radio antenna; 6-commander's turret; 7-engine; 8-compartment tower; 9-driver's seat Top left: diagram of firing with two installations

The power supply system (PSS) provides all ZSU-23-4 systems with direct current voltage of 55 V and 27.5 V and alternating current voltage of 220 V, frequency 400 Hz. It consists of: gas turbine engine DG4M-1 with a power of 70 hp; DC generator to generate stabilized voltages of 55 V and 27.5 V; DC to AC three-phase converter unit; four 12-ST-70M batteries to compensate for peak overloads, powering devices and electrical consumers when the generator is not working.

For external communication, the installation is equipped with a short-wave transceiver radio station R-123 with frequency modulation. In moderately rough terrain, with the noise suppressor turned off and no interference, it provides communication at a range of up to 23 km, and with it turned on - up to 13 km. Internal communication is carried out via a tank intercom R-124, designed for four subscribers.

To determine the location on the ground and make the necessary amendments to the RPK, the ZSU-23-4 has TNA-2 navigation equipment. The arithmetic mean error of the coordinates generated by this equipment does not exceed 1% of the distance traveled.
no way. While in motion, navigation equipment can operate without updating the initial data for 3 - 3.5 hours.

To operate in conditions where the area is contaminated with weapons of mass destruction, the installation provides protection for the crew from radioactive dust and harmful environmental influences. It is carried out using forced air purification and the creation of excess pressure inside the tower using a central blower with inertial air separation.

Anti-aircraft self-propelled gun ZSU-23-4: 1 - anti-aircraft guns of 23 mm caliber (4 pcs.), 2 - rotating turret, 3 - infrared device, 4 - radar antenna, 5 - whip radio antenna, 6 - towing cable, 7 - armored body, 8 - cover, 9 - caterpillar, 10 - crew hatch, 11 - commander's hatch, 12 - driver's hatch, 13 - road wheel, 14 - sprocket. In view A, the caterpillar is not shown.

In conclusion, let's try to simulate a battle episode in modern conditions. Imagine that a ZSU-23-4 is covering a column of troops on the march. But the radar, continuously conducting a circular search, detects an air target. Who is this? Yours or someone else's? A request immediately follows about the ownership of the aircraft, and if there is no answer, the commander’s decision will be the only one - fire!

But the enemy is cunning, maneuvering, attacking the anti-aircraft gunners. And in the midst of the battle, a shrapnel cuts off the antenna of the radar station. It would seem that the “blinded” anti-aircraft gun is completely disabled, but the designers have provided for this and even more complex situations. A radar station, a computer and even a stabilization system may fail - the installation will still be combat-ready. The search operator (gunner) will fire using a backup anti-aircraft sight, and will enter leads using the angle rings.

Abroad have always shown increased interest in Shilka. Foreign countries About three thousand copies of the Shilka were purchased; they are currently in service with the armies of almost 30 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. The ZSU-23-4 was widely used in combat and showed its high efficiency in destroying air and ground targets.

ZSU-23-4 were most actively used in the Arab-Israeli wars of the 60s, October 1973 and April-May 1974. As a rule, in the armies of Syria and Egypt, Shilkas were used to directly cover tank units, as well as anti-aircraft missile systems (SAM) "Kub" ("Square"), S-75 and S-125. ZSU were part of anti-aircraft divisions (zdn) of tank divisions, brigades and individual mixed zdn. To timely open fire in defense, Shilok units were deployed at a distance of 600-1000 m from the covered objects. During the offensive, they were located behind the forward units at a distance of 400-600 m. On the march, the ZSUs were distributed along the column of troops.

Basically, ZSU-23-4 operated autonomously. Fire on Israeli planes and helicopters was opened from a range of 1500 - 2000 m (with visual detection of the target). The ZSU radar was practically not used in combat for a number of reasons, the main one of which was poor training of combat crews. The lack of centralized target designation and rugged terrain significantly limited the capabilities of the ZSU radar for timely target detection.

However, the Shilka proved to be a reliable air defense weapon, capable of protecting troops from attacks from suddenly appearing low-flying air targets. During October 1973 alone, out of 98 aircraft shot down by Syrian air defense systems, the ZSU-23-4 accounted for 11 targets hit. In April and May 1974, out of 19 aircraft shot down, five were destroyed by Shilkas.

As noted by foreign military experts who analyzed the results middle east war 1973, during the first three days of fighting, Syrian missilemen destroyed about 100 enemy aircraft. In their opinion, this figure is due to the successful use of the ZSU-23-4, the dense fire of which forced the Israeli pilots to withdraw from low altitudes to where the air defense systems operated with great efficiency.

CHARACTERISTICS - ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”

Combat weight, t 19
Crew, people 4
Overall dimensions, mm:
length 6535
width 3125
height in stowed position 2576
height in combat position 3572
ground clearance 400
Reservation, mm up to 15
Armament 4x23-mm 2A7 cannon (AZP-23 “Amur” artillery system)
Ammunition 4964 rounds
Firing range at air targets, m 2500
V-bR engine, 6-cylinder, 4-stroke, compressorless liquid-cooled diesel engine, power 206 kW at 2000 rpm
Maximum speed on the highway, km/h 50
Cruising range on the highway, km 450
Obstacles to be overcome:
wall height, m ​​1.1
ditch width, m 2.8
ford depth, m 1.07