Talking about “Shilka” is both easy and difficult. It’s easy, because the Shilka has the longest track record of all post-war anti-aircraft systems. But it’s difficult, because there is no other air defense system like it, about which so much has been filmed and written in the foreign and domestic press.

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 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be noted that this competition became the basis for an excellent result of research and development work, which is not outdated in our time.
Formally, the Shilka and Yenisei installations were not considered competitors. The first was developed for air defense of motorized rifle regiments, and the second - for tank regiments and divisions. Their design was carried out by two independent groups of design bureaus and enterprises:
- ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" - OKB-40 (Mytishchi Machine-Building Plant), Leningrad Optical-Mechanical Association (LOMO), Design Bureau of the Tula Radio Elements Plant (current Research Institute "Strela"), Central Design and Research Bureau of Sports Small Arms (g . Tula), VNII "Signal" (Kovrov), Research Automotive Institute and Kaluga Experimental Motor Plant, chief designer installations - N.A. Astrov.;
— ZSU-37-2 “Yenisei” - NII-20, State Design Bureau and OKB-3 of the Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant, chief designer G.S. Efimov. To quickly complete the task, previously created analogues were used.
The qualities of the prototypes were assessed during comparative tests. Based on their results, the state commission made the following conclusions.
The radio instrument systems (RPC) of both ZSUs ensure firing day and night in any weather.

— The Yenisei ZSU with a mass of 28 tons cannot be used to arm motorized rifle units and airborne forces;

- when firing at MiG-17 and Il-28 aircraft at altitudes of 200 and 500 m, the Shilka is 2 and 1.5 times more effective than the Yenisei, respectively;

— mobility and the ability to fire at altitudes and ranges up to 3000 m and 4000 m, respectively, allow the use of the Yenisei self-propelled gun to cover tank regiments and tank divisions from air strikes when they act in isolation from the main forces;

— ZSU "Shilka" and "Yenisei" are unified with other types of weapons. The first - with a 23-mm machine gun and rounds for it, on a tracked base with an SU-85, the second - on RPK modules with the Krug system and on a tracked base with an SU-10OP, which was being prepared for production.

Comparative tests also showed that the ZSU-23-4 in combat value corresponds to a battery of four 57-mm cannons of the S-60 complex. In the conclusion of the state commission, it was recommended to adopt both anti-aircraft guns. However, according to the resolution of the Council of Ministers of September 5, 1962 No. 925-401, the ZSU-23-4 “Shilka” was adopted for service. After certain modifications, the Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant launched mass production and already in the late 60s. the average annual production was about 300 combat vehicles. The installation became a standard air defense system for motorized rifle and tank regiments.

For the successful solution of the task, the team of main developers (N.A. Astrov, V.E. Pikkel, Ya.I. Nazarov and others) was awarded the USSR State Prize. The developers of the Yenisei self-propelled gun system were also awarded state awards.

And in the future, “Shilka” repeatedly received high marks. One of the main advantages of the ZSU-23 is its ability to be used not only against low-flying air targets, but also against ground targets in all types of combat operations. Afghanistan, Chechnya, and wars in other regions have confirmed the effectiveness of the ZSU-23-4 in the fight against ground enemies.

ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is considered an autonomous combat vehicle. Its main elements are; quad automatic 23-mm anti-aircraft gun AZP-23-4; radio instrument complex (RPK); electrohydraulic power servo drives; communication systems, power supply, navigation and other equipment. Tracked self-propelled base type GM-575 high cross-country ability provides high mobility anti-aircraft installation, it is divided into three compartments (control, combat and power), located in the bow, middle and stern parts, respectively. The compartments are separated from each other by partitions, which also serve as the front and rear supports of the tower.

Combat characteristics of the ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" and ZSU-37-2 "Yenisei" (based on the results of state tests)

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 tracked drive of the machine consists of two drive 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.
The main element of the ZSU-23-4 is a welded turret. It combines reconnaissance, control and destruction of air targets into a single complex. A cannon is installed outside in the front of the turret, a radar antenna is installed in the rear, and the RPK and combat crew are located inside.
The RPK is designed for round-the-clock combat operation of the Shilka in any weather and climatic conditions. It consists of a gun-targeting radar, a computing device (CSD) and a sighting device.
The radar provides detection, acquisition for auto-tracking and determination of the current coordinates of air targets with a circular or sector view of the airspace within the range of 30-80 in azimuth and 30 in elevation. It is a coherent pulse station in the centimeter wave range, which was chosen for a number of reasons. This range was distinguished by less load on other radio equipment, the ability to recognize and classify air targets, as well as the use of an antenna with small weight and size characteristics. In addition, susceptibility to intentional interference is significantly reduced.
With a pulse power of 100 kW and a beam width of about 1.5, the radar can track a target automatically from a distance of at least 10 km when flying at an altitude of 100 m. The station is protected from passive and active interference. Depending on the situation, the target coordinates (azimuth, elevation and range) are determined automatically, or the angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range from the radar.
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.
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 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.
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.
The Shilka’s combat work, depending on the serviceability of the equipment, the situation and external conditions, can be carried out in one of four modes.
The first mode (auto-tracking) is the main one: the current angular coordinates and range to the target are sent to the SRP (analog computer) from the radar automatically tracking it. The SRP generates pre-emptive target coordinates, which, taking into account the necessary corrections, pitching and yaw of the ZSU along the course in the form of pointing angles, are sent to the automatic gun pointing drives to the pre-empted point. The commander or search operator - gunner opens fire upon the signal “There is data” on the SRP.

The second mode is used when the enemy sets up electronic interference that disrupts the normal operation of the guidance system, as well as in the event of a malfunction of the automatic target tracking channel in azimuth and elevation. The angular coordinates come from the sighting device, with the help of which the gunner operator tracks the target, and the range comes from the radar operating in radio rangefinder mode.
The third mode is used when there is a threat of losing a target in auto-tracking mode due to interference or equipment malfunction. In this case, the predicted coordinates are generated based on the last recorded values ​​of the current coordinates of the target and the rate of their change.
The fourth mode is used when the radar, SRP or stabilization systems fail. In this case, shooting at the target is carried out using a backup sight, and the gun is aimed in semi-automatic mode. The lead is introduced by the search operator using the aspect rings for the whole-understudy.

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.

Comparative characteristics of the Shilka and Gepard self-propelled guns
(Germany) and "Vulcan" (USA)

	Shilka	Cheetah	Volcano
Year of adoption
Dimensions of the affected area, km
- by range
— in height
Speed ​​of targets hit, m/s
- when shooting towards
- when shooting after
Working time, s
Number x caliber of guns, mm
Projectile weight, kg
Initial projectile speed, m/s
Possibility of shooting on the move
All-weather operation
Weight, t
Calculation, persons

“Shilka” also demonstrated quite high efficiency in Lebanon. From May 1981 to June 1982, the Syrian air defense group Feda carried out 64 shootings and shot down 34 air targets - 27 combat aircraft, 3 helicopters and 4 remotely piloted aerial vehicles (UAVs). Six of them were destroyed by ZSU-23-4.
The overall effectiveness coefficient of the ZSU-23-4 in these military conflicts was 0.15-0.18 for one installation with a consumption of 3300 to 5700 shells per shot down target. In addition, the Shilka has demonstrated high operational reliability and good cross-country ability in mountainous desert terrain and the hot climate of North Africa.

ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”, GRAU index - 2A6, is a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun manufactured in the USSR, whose serial production started in 1964. Fires at a rate of 3400 rounds per minute. Targeting is carried out in automatic, semi-automatic and manual modes. The first two use a radar station.

The functionality consists of eliminating air targets at altitudes up to 1.5 km and ranges up to 2.5 km, the speed of which is up to 450 m/s, and surface (ground) targets located at a distance of up to 2 km from a short stop, from a standstill and in move. It is also used for direct cover of ground troops. During times Soviet Union was in service with regimental-level ground forces air defense units.

Potential opponents of the USSR noticed its great danger in relation to low-flying targets. But today this SPAAG is already outdated, mainly in terms of its characteristics, rather short range of fire against air targets and the capabilities of the radar station. For the purpose of replacement, the Tunguska self-propelled air defense missile system subsequently appeared. Nevertheless, the Shilka is still used today in anti-aircraft units in the armies of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and other states and is successfully used in local conflicts to fire at ground targets.

1. Photos

2. Video

3. History of creation

The debut Soviet anti-aircraft self-propelled gun was the ZSU-57-2, serial production of which started either in 1955 or 1957. It had very little combat effectiveness, and had only a low rate of fire, a manual optical guidance system and its low speed. Therefore, it could not shoot down high-speed jet aircraft flying at low altitudes. For these reasons, immediately after it began to be produced, two new rapid-fire installations with automatic radar guidance systems began to be developed. These are the ZSU-37-2 Yenisei with a twin 500P gun mount of 37 mm caliber and the ZSU-23-4 Shilka with a quad 2A7 gun mount of 23 mm caliber. In addition, each of them was equipped with a radar guidance system and landing gear. For Yenisei it was the Baikal RPK and the chassis from the SU-100P self-propelled gun, and for Shilka the Tobol RPK and the chassis from the ASU-85 self-propelled gun. As for use: the Yenisei had the task of providing air defense for armored forces, and Shilka - for motorized rifle units.

Their prototypes were produced at the end of 1960, and state and factory tests were completed ten months later. The Shilka was put into service in the fall of 1962. Its advantages over the Yenisei were revealed in the effectiveness of shooting at high-speed targets at altitudes of 0.2-0.5 km, but the Yenisei turned out to be better in terms of the maximum effective shooting height. Its weight was 28,000 kg, and Shilka’s was 19,000, but their cost was almost the same. Since none of the systems turned out to be better friend friend, they were both recommended for adoption, but the Council of Ministers of the USSR made a corresponding decision only regarding Shilka, and work on the Yenisei was stopped.

4. Performance characteristics

4.1 Dimensions

• Case length, cm: 649.5
• Case width, cm: 307.5
• Height, cm: 264.4-376.4
• Base, cm: 382.8
• Track, cm: 250
• Ground clearance, cm: 40.

4.2 Booking

• Armor type: rolled steel bulletproof (0.9 – 1.5 cm).

4.3 Armament

• Make and caliber of gun: four AZP-23 “Amur”, 23 mm caliber
• Gun type: small-caliber rifled automatic guns
• Barrel length, calibers: 82
• Gun ammunition: 2000
• HV angles, degrees: −4…+85°
• GN angles, degrees: 360°
• Firing range, m: 200 - 500
• Sights: RPK-2 radar, optical sight.

4.4 Mobility

• Engine type: V-6R
• Engine power, l. p.: 280
• Highway speed, km/h: 50
• Speed ​​over rough terrain, km/h: up to 30
• Cruising range on the highway, km: 450
• Cruising range over rough terrain, km: 300
• Specific power, l. s./t: 14.7
• Suspension type: torsion bar individual
• Climbability, degrees: 30°
• Wall to be overcome, cm: 70
• Ditch to be overcome, cm: 250
• Fordability, cm: 100.

4.5 Other parameters

• Classification: anti-aircraft self-propelled gun
• Combat weight, kg: 21000
• Layout scheme: classic
• Crew, people: 4

5. Modifications

• ZSU-23-4V – modernization. The service life of the gas turbine unit has been increased from 300 to 450 hours and the operational reliability has been increased. Become better conditions for the crew. In order to point the tracking radar at the target, a commander's guidance device was used.
• ZSU-23-4V1 - ZSU-23-4V was supplemented with a counting and solving device, which increased the reliability of automatic target tracking when the installation speed increased to 40 km/h, there was an increase in the efficiency and accuracy of fire, as well as the service life of the gas turbine unit up to 600 hours .
• ZSU-23-4M1 - modernization of the 2A10 cannon to 2A7M and 2A10M and 2A7 assault rifles to increase the stability and reliability of the complex. The survivability of the barrels has increased - up to 4500 shots. The reliability of the radar station has improved, and the service life of the gas turbine unit has increased to 900 hours.
• ZSU-23-4M2 – modernized ZSU-23-4M1, for operation in Afghanistan. The RPK was removed, due to which the ammunition load of shells increased to three thousand pieces. Night vision equipment was installed for shooting at ground targets at night
• ZSU-23-4M3 Biryusa – modernized ZSU-23-4M1. The ground-based radio interrogator “Luk” has been introduced for the radar identification system of air targets based on the “friend or foe” principle
• ZSU-23-4M4 Shilka-M4 – modernization. A radar fire control system has been installed; it is possible to add a Strelets anti-aircraft missile system. Used by battery mobile item reconnaissance and control Assembling the M1 as a command post and introducing into the ZSU a telecode communication channel for data exchange between the command post and the installation. The analog counting and solving device was replaced by a central digital computer. A digital tracking system has been introduced. The tracked chassis has been improved in order to increase the maneuverability and controllability of the self-propelled vehicle and reduce the complexity of its operation and maintenance. A passive night vision device has been installed. Other radio stations, an automated monitoring system for the performance of radio-electronic equipment and an air conditioner were installed.
• ZSU-23-4M5 Shilka-M5 is a modernized ZSU-23-4M4. An optical-electronic and radar fire control system was introduced.

6. Machines based

• 1S91 - self-propelled guidance and reconnaissance installation for the Kub air defense system.
• 2P25 – self-propelled launcher for the Kub air defense system.
• "Sangguin" is a self-propelled laser system for countering optical-electronic devices of air targets.

7. Tactics

When anti-aircraft guns are involved in attacks, they provide support to the tanks, moving behind them at a distance of approximately 0.4 km.

At distances greater than 2.5 km, firing at air targets is ineffective and, because of this, is only possible in self-defense. Its shells fly three kilometers in six seconds.

7.1 Opposition

Shilka can be defeated by helicopters with TOW guided anti-tank missiles, whose launch range can be more than 3000 m. There is no great danger for helicopters in front of Shilka, because it can possibly fail to shoot down an air target flying at an altitude of more than 2.5 km above 10%.

8. Combat use

• War of attrition - on the side of Egypt
• The Vietnam War - on the side of North Vietnam
• Arab-Israeli War - both sides
• Battles for Mount Hermon - on the side of Syria
• First Civil War in Angola – Angolan side
• Egyptian-Libyan war - on the side of Libya
• Ethiopian-Somali war - on the side of Somalia
• Afghan war
• Iran-Iraq War – on the side of Iraq
• Civil war in Lebanon - on the side of Syria
• They were used to protect against US aircraft attacks on Libya in the spring of 1986.
• Gulf War – on the side of Iraq
• Armed conflict in Transnistria – both sides
• The Karabakh conflict is on the side of Armenia
• First Chechen War – both sides
• NATO operation against Serbia is on the side of Yugoslavia
• Second Chechen War – both sides
• Iraq War – on the Iraqi side
• The civil war in Syria is on the Syrian side.

At the end of the 50s. after adoption Soviet army high-precision anti-aircraft missiles, foreign aviation specialists urgently had to develop new tactics. Pilots were asked to fly at extremely low altitudes to avoid detection by new air defense systems. During this period, the standard air defense system for troops was the ZSU-57-2, but it could not cope with the new task, so it was urgently necessary to develop a more modern anti-aircraft self-propelled gun. Such a car appeared in 1964. It was.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka is designed for direct cover of ground forces, 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 on the move.

The welded body of the TM-575 tracked vehicle is divided into three control compartments in the bow, a combat compartment in the middle and a power compartment 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.

On the right side plate there are three hatches, one, with a bolted cover, is used for mounting turret equipment, the other two are closed with a visor and are air inlets for ventilation of units and superchargers 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.

The turret is equipped with a 23-mm quad gun AZP-23 "Amur" with a rate of fire of 11 rounds per second each. It, together with the turret, was assigned the index 2A10, the gun's submachine guns - 2A7, and the power drives - 2E2. The automatic operation of the gun is based on the removal of powder gases through a side hole in the barrel wall. The barrel consists of a pipe, cooling system casings, gas chamber and a flame arrester. The valve is wedge, with the wedge lowering down. The length of the machine gun with a flame arrester is 2610 mm, the length of the barrel with a flame arrester is 2050 mm (without a flame arrester - 1880 mm). The length of the threaded part is 1730 mm. The weight of one machine gun is 85 kg, the weight of the entire artillery unit is 4964 kg. It can fire with all four guns, or with a pair or any of the four. The gun barrels and the antenna of the radar-instrument complex are completely stabilized, thanks to which the installation can fire effectively while moving.

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

Two machines are mounted on each cradle. Two cradles (upper and lower) are mounted on the frame, one above the other, at a distance of 320 mm from each other in a horizontal position, the lower one is extended forward in relation to the upper one by 320 mm. The parallelism of the trunks is ensured by a parallelogram rod connecting both cradles.

The gun's ammunition load includes 23-mm BZT and OFZT shells. Armor-piercing BZT shells weighing 190 g do not have a fuse and explosive, but contain only incendiary agent for tracing. OFZT fragmentation shells weighing 188.5 g have an MG-25 head fuse. The propellant charge for both projectiles is the same - 77 g of 5/7 TsFP grade gunpowder. Cartridge weight 450 g. Steel sleeve, disposable. The ballistic data of both projectiles are the same - initial speed 980 m/s, table ceiling 1500 m, table range 2000 m. OFZT projectiles are equipped with self-liquidating devices with an action time of 5-11 s. The machine is fed by a belt, for 50 rounds. The belt alternates four OFZT cartridges - one BZT cartridge, etc.

Guidance and stabilization of the AZP-23 gun is carried out by 2E2 power guidance drives. The 2E2 system used a URS (Jenny coupling) for horizontal guidance - URS No. 5, and for vertical guidance - URS No. 2.5. Both operate from a common DSO-20 electric motor with a power of 6 kW.

Depending on external conditions and the state of the equipment, firing at anti-aircraft targets is carried out in four modes. The first (main) mode 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 enter the calculating device from the sighting device, which is aimed automatically by the search operator - the gunner, 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 components of the target’s velocity, based on the hypothesis of uniform rectilinear motion of the target 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.

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 computing 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 range - 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 wavelength range are less susceptible to deliberate 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 information, during Operation Desert Storm, an Iraqi ZSU-23-4 Shilka shot down an American F-117A aircraft built using this technology.

The disadvantage of radar is the relatively short range action, 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 ZSU-23-4 Shilka radar uses a coherent-pulse target selection method, i.e., constant signals from terrain objects and passive interference are not taken into account, and signals from moving circuits are sent to the RPK. The radar is controlled by the search operator and the range operator.

The ZSU-23-4 Shilka is equipped with an 8D6 diesel engine, which was given the designation B-6R by the manufacturer for installation on the GM-575. On machines manufactured since 1969, the V-6R-1 engine was installed, which had minor design changes. The V-6R engine is a six-cylinder, four-stroke, compressorless, liquid-cooled diesel engine that develops a maximum power of 206 kW at 2000 rpm. The working volume of the cylinders is 19.1 liters, the compression ratio is 15.0.

The GM-575 tracked chassis is equipped with two welded aluminum alloy fuel tanks: a front one with a capacity of 405 liters and a rear one with a capacity of 110 liters. The first is located in a separate compartment of the bow of the hull.

In the rear part of the hull there is a mechanical power transmission, with a stepwise change in gear ratios. The main clutch is multi-disc, dry friction. The main clutch control drive is mechanical, from the pedal at the driver's seat. The gearbox is a mechanical three-way, five-speed, with synchronizers in 2.3 4th and 5th gears. The rotation mechanisms are planetary, two-stage, with locking clutches. Final drives are single-stage with spur gears.

The chassis of the machine consists of two drive wheels, two guide wheels with a track tensioning mechanism, two track chains and twelve support wheels. The drive wheels are welded, with removable rims, rear-mounted. Single guide wheels with metal arches. The support rollers are welded, single, with rubberized rims. The caterpillar chain is metal, with lantern engagement, with closed hinges, made of 93 steel tracks connected to each other by steel pins. Track width 362 mm, track pitch 128 mm.

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

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

The ZSU-23-4 Shilka is equipped with a short-wave frequency-modulated telephone transceiver radio station R-123. Its range of action in moderately rough terrain with the noise suppressor turned off and no interference is up to 23 km, and with the noise suppressor turned on - up to 13 km. For internal communication, a tank intercom P-124 for 4 subscribers is used.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka is equipped with TNA-2 navigation equipment. Its arithmetic mean error in generating coordinates as a percentage of the distance traveled is no more than 1%. When the ZSU is moving, the operating time of the equipment without reorientation is 3-3.5 hours.

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

Shilka went into serial production of the ZSU-23-4 in 1964. That year it was planned to produce 40 vehicles, but this was not possible. However, mass production of the ZSU-23-4 was later launched. During the 60s, their average annual production was about 300 cars.

ZSU-23-4 Shilka began to enter service with the troops in 1965 and by the beginning of the 70s they completely replaced the ZSU-57-2. Initially, the statewide tank regiment had a “Shilok” division, which consisted of two batteries of four vehicles each. At the end of the 60s, it often happened that in a division one battery had a ZSU-23-4 and one battery had a ZSU-57-2. Later, motorized rifle and tank regiments received a standard anti-aircraft battery, consisting of two platoons. One platoon had four Shilka self-propelled air defense systems, and the other had four Strela-1 self-propelled air defense systems (later Strela-10 air defense systems).

Operation of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka showed that the RPK-2 works well under conditions of passive interference. We practically did not actively interfere with the Shilka during our exercises, since there were no radio countermeasures at its operating frequencies, at least in the 70s. Significant shortcomings of the PKK were also revealed, which often needed reconfiguration. Instability of the electrical parameters of the circuits was noted. The RPK could take the target for auto tracking no closer than 7-8 km from the ZSU. At shorter distances this was difficult to do due to the high angular velocity of the target. When switching from detection mode to auto-tracking mode, the target was sometimes lost.

In the second half of the 60s, the ZSU-23-4 self-propelled gun underwent two small modernizations, the main purpose of which was to increase the reliability of various components and assemblies, primarily the RPK. The vehicles of the first modernization received the index ZSU-23-4V, and the second - ZSU-23-4V1. The main tactical and technical characteristics of self-propelled guns remained unchanged.

In October 1967, a resolution of the Council of Ministers was issued on a more serious modernization of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka. Its most important part was the redesign of the 2A7 assault rifles and the 2A10 gun in order to increase the reliability and stability of the complex, increase the survivability of gun parts and reduce maintenance time. During the modernization process, the pneumatic charging of the 2A7 assault rifles was replaced by pyrocharging, which made it possible to exclude an unreliably operating compressor and a number of other components from the design. The welded coolant drain pipe was replaced with a flexible pipeline - this increased the barrel life from 3500 to 4500 shots. In 1973, the modernized ZSU-23-4M was accepted for service along with the 2A7M assault rifle and the 2A10M cannon. ZSU-23-4M received the designation "Biryusa", but in the army units it was still called "Shilka".

After the next modernization, the anti-aircraft self-propelled gun will receive the index ZSU-23-4M3 (3 - interrogator). For the first time, “friend or foe” identification equipment was installed on it. Later, during repairs, all ZSU-23-4M were brought to the level of ZSU-23-4M3. Production of the ZSU-23-4M3 ceased in 1982.

There are different points of view on the effectiveness of the Shilka in the fight against air targets. Thus, during the 1973 war, Shilki accounted for about 10% of all Israeli aircraft losses (the rest were distributed between air defense systems and fighter aircraft). However, the pilots taken prisoner showed that the Shilkas literally created a sea of ​​fire and the pilots instinctively left the ZSU fire zone and fell into the range of the air defense missile system. During Operation Desert Storm, pilots of the multinational forces tried not to operate unnecessarily at altitudes below 1300 m, fearing the fire of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka.

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

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

Serial production of "Shilok" was completed in 1983. Currently, self-propelled guns of this type are in service in Afghanistan. Algeria, Angola. Bulgaria. Hungary, Vietnam, Egypt, Israel, India, Jordan, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Congo, North Korea. Cuba, Laos, Libya, Nigeria, Peru, Poland. Russia, Syria, Somalia and Ethiopia.

Combat weight, t 19.0
Classic layout diagram
Crew, people 4
Case length, mm 6535
Case width, mm 3125
Height, mm 2500
Ground clearance, mm 400
Armor type rolled steel bulletproof (9-15mm)
Armament
Caliber and brand of gun 4? 23-mm AZP-23 "Amur"
Gun type rifled automatic
Barrel length, caliber 82
Gun ammunition 2000
Angles VN, degrees. ?4…+85
Optical sights, RPK-2 radar
Engine type in-line
6-cylinder diesel liquid cooled
Engine power, l. With. 280
Highway speed, km/h 50
Speed ​​over rough terrain, km/h 25-30
Cruising range on the highway, km 450
Cruising range over rough terrain, km 300
Specific power, l. s./t 14.7
Suspension type: individual torsion bar
Climbability, degrees. thirty
Wall to be overcome, m 0.7
Ditch to be overcome, m 2.5
Fordability, m 1.0

The ZSU-23-4 Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun was put into service more than 50 years ago, but despite this, it still copes with its tasks perfectly and even surpasses much later foreign-made vehicles. Let’s try to figure it out further what is responsible for such success of “Shilka”.

NATO experts began to be interested in the Soviet anti-aircraft self-propelled gun ZSU-23-4 “Shilka” from the moment when the first data about its capabilities appeared in the West. And in 1973, NATO members were already “feeling” the Shilka sample. The Israelis got it during the war in the Middle East. In the early eighties, the Americans began an intelligence operation with the aim of acquiring another Shilka model, contacting the brothers of Romanian President Nicolae Ceausescu. Why was NATO so interested in the Soviet self-propelled gun?

I really wanted to know: are there any major changes in the modernized Soviet ZSU? The interest was understandable. "Shilka" was the most unique weapon, has not lost the championship in its class for two decades. Its contours became clearly visible in 1961, when Soviet science celebrated the victory of Gagarin's flight.

So, what is unique about the ZSU-23-4? Retired colonel Anatoly Dyakov tells the story, whose fate is closely connected with this weapon - he served for decades in the air defense forces of the Ground Forces:

“If we talk about the main thing, we for the first time began to systematically hit aerial targets with the Shilka. Prior to this, anti-aircraft systems of 23- and 37-mm ZU-23 and ZP-37 guns, and 57-mm S-60 guns hit high-speed targets only by accident. The shells for them are impact-type, without a fuse. To hit a target, it had to be hit directly by a projectile. The likelihood of this is minuscule. In a word, the previously created anti-aircraft weapons could only put a barrier in front of the plane, forcing the pilot to drop bombs away from the planned location...

In the photo: Kandahar. Nagahan turn. 1986 ZSU-23-4... "SILKA"... "SHAYTAN-ARBA"

Unit commanders expressed delight when they saw how the Shilka not only hit targets right before their eyes, but also moved after the units in the battle formations of the covered troops. A real revolution. Imagine, you don’t need to roll the guns... When arranging an ambush for batteries of S-60 anti-aircraft guns, you will suffer - it’s difficult to hide guns on the ground. And what does it take to build a battle formation, “become attached” to the area, connect all the points (power units, guns, gun guidance station, fire control devices) with a large cable system. What crowded calculations there were!.. And here is a compact mobile installation. She came, fired from an ambush and left, then look for the wind in the field... Today's officers, those who think in the categories of the nineties, perceive the phrase “autonomous complex” differently: they say, what’s unusual here? And in the sixties it was a feat of design thought, the pinnacle of engineering solutions.”

The self-propelled Shilka really has many advantages. General designer, Doctor of Technical Sciences Nikolai Astrov, as they say, not a complete anti-aircraft gunner, managed to create a machine that showed itself in many local wars and military conflicts.

To make it clear what we're talking about, let’s talk about the purpose and composition of the 23-mm quad anti-aircraft self-propelled gun ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”. It is designed 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 also be used to destroy moving ground targets at a range of up to 2000 meters. It fires from a standstill and on the move, and is equipped with equipment that provides autonomous circular and sector search for targets, their tracking, development of gun pointing angles and its control.

The ZSU-23-4 consists of a 23-mm quadruple automatic anti-aircraft gun AZP-23, power drives designed for guidance. Next essential element- radar-instrument complex RPU-2. It serves, of course, to control fire. Moreover, “Shilka” could work both with a radar and with a conventional optical sighting device. A locator is, of course, good; it provides search, detection, automatic tracking of a target, and determines its coordinates. But at that time, the Americans began to install missiles on airplanes that could find a radar beam using a radar beam and hit it. And a viewer is a viewer. He disguised himself, saw the plane, and immediately opened fire. And no problem. The GM-575 tracked vehicle provides the ZSU with high speed of movement, maneuverability and increased maneuverability. Day and night surveillance devices allow the driver and commander of the self-propelled gun system to monitor the road and surrounding conditions at any time of the day, and communication equipment provides external communication and communication between crew numbers. The crew of the self-propelled gun consists of four people: the SPAAG commander, the search operator - gunner, the range operator and the driver.

In the photo: Iraqi ZSU-23-4M damaged during Operation Desert Storm

“Shilka” was born, as they say, in a shirt. Its development began in 1957. In 1960, the first prototype was ready, in 1961 state tests were carried out, in 1962, on October sixteenth, the USSR Minister of Defense issued an order to put it into service, and three years later it began mass release. A little later - trial by combat.

Let’s give the floor again to Anatoly Dyakov:

“In 1982, when the Lebanese war was going on, I was on a business trip to Syria. At that time, Israel was making serious attempts to attack the troops located in the Bekaa Valley. I remember that immediately after the raid, Soviet specialists were brought the wreckage of an F-16 aircraft, the most modern at that time, shot down by the Shilka.

You could also say that the warm debris made me happy, but I wasn’t surprised by the fact itself. I knew that the Shilka could suddenly open fire in any area and give excellent results. For I had to conduct electronic duels with Soviet planes in a training center near Ashgabat, where we trained specialists for one of the Arab countries. And not once were pilots in desert areas able to detect us. They themselves were targets, and that’s all, just take them and open fire on them...”

And here are the memoirs of Colonel Valentin Nesterenko, who in the eighties was an adviser to the head of the Air Force and Air Defense College in North Yemen.

“At the college that was being created,” he said, “American and Soviet specialists taught. The material part was represented by American anti-aircraft installations "Typhoon" and "Vulcan", as well as our "Shilki". At first, Yemeni officers and cadets were pro-American, believing that everything American was the best. But their confidence was thoroughly shaken during the first live firing exercises that the cadets performed. American Vulcans and our Shilkas were installed at the training ground. Moreover, American installations were serviced and prepared for firing only by American specialists. On the Shilki, all operations were performed by Arabs.

Both the warning about security measures and the requests to place targets for the Shiloks much further than for the Vulcans were perceived by many as propaganda attacks by the Russians. But when our first installation fired a salvo, spewing out a sea of ​​fire and a hail of spent cartridges, American specialists with enviable haste ducked into the hatches and took their installation away.

And on the mountain the targets, blown to pieces, burned brightly. During the entire shooting period, the Shilkas worked flawlessly. "Vulcans" had a number of serious breakdowns. One of them was dealt with only with the help of Soviet specialists...”

It is appropriate to say here: Israeli intelligence discovered that the Arabs first used the Shilka back in 1973. At the same time, the Israelis quickly planned an operation to capture Soviet-made ZSU and successfully carried it out. But Shilka was studied primarily by NATO specialists. They were interested in how it was more effective than the American 20-mm Vulcan XM-163 self-propelled gun, and whether it was possible to take into account its best design features when fine-tuning the West German 35-mm twin self-propelled gun "Gepard", which had just begun to enter the army.

The reader will probably ask: why later, already in the early eighties, did the Americans need another sample? “Shilka” was rated very highly by experts, and therefore, when it became known that modernized versions had begun to be produced, they decided to get another car overseas.

Our self-propelled gun was indeed constantly modernized, in particular, one of the variants even acquired a new name - ZSU-23-4M Biryusa. But it didn’t change elementally. Except that over time a commander's device appeared - for ease of guidance and transfer of the turret to the target. The blocks became more perfect and reliable every year. Locator, for example.

And, of course, the authority of Shilka grew in Afghanistan. There were no commanders there who were indifferent to her. A convoy is walking along the roads, and suddenly there is fire from an ambush, try to organize a defense, all the vehicles have already been targeted. There is only one salvation - “Shilka”. A long line into the enemy camp, and a sea of ​​fire in the position. They called the self-propelled gun "shaitan-arba". The start of her work was determined immediately and the withdrawal immediately began. “Shilka” saved the lives of thousands of Soviet soldiers.

In Afghanistan, the Shilka fully realized the ability to fire at ground targets in the mountains. Moreover, a special “Afghan version” was created. A radio device complex was seized from the ZSU. Thanks to it, the ammunition load was increased from 2000 to 4000 rounds. A night sight was also installed.

Interesting touch. Columns accompanied by the Shilka were rarely attacked, not only in the mountains, but also near populated areas. The ZSU was dangerous for manpower hidden behind the adobe ducts - the fuse of the “Sh” projectile was triggered when it hit the wall. The Shilka was also effective against lightly armored targets - armored personnel carriers, vehicles...

Each weapon has its own destiny, its own life. In the post-war period, many types of weapons quickly became obsolete. 5-7 years - and more appeared modern generation. And only “Shilka” has been in combat service for more than thirty years. It also justified itself during the Gulf War in 1991, where the Americans used various means of air attack, including the B-52 bombers known from Vietnam. There were very confident statements: they, they say, will smash the goals to smithereens.

And now, at low altitudes, the Shilka self-propelled gun, together with the Strela-3 complex, opens fire. One plane's engine immediately caught fire. No matter how hard the B-52 tried to reach the base, it was not possible.

And one more indicator. "Shilka" is in service in 39 countries. Moreover, it was bought not only by the USSR’s allies under the Warsaw Pact, but also by India, Peru, Syria, Yugoslavia... And the reasons are as follows. High fire efficiency, maneuverability. "Shilka" is not inferior to foreign analogues. Including the famous American installation “Vulcan”.

The Vulcan, which entered service in 1966, has a number of advantages, but in many respects it is inferior to the Soviet Shilka. The American ZSU can shoot at targets that move at a speed of no more than 310 m/s, while the Shilka works at higher speeds - up to 450 m/s. My interlocutor Anatoly Dyakov said that he acted in a training battle on the Vulcan in Jordan and cannot say that the American vehicle is better, although it was adopted later. Jordanian experts have approximately the same opinion.

In the photo: Egyptian “Shilkas” at the 1973 parade.

A fundamental difference from the Shilka is the Gepard self-propelled gun (Germany). The large caliber of the gun (35 mm) makes it possible to have shells with a fuse and, accordingly, greater effectiveness of destruction - the target is hit by shrapnel. The West German ZSU can hit targets at altitudes of up to 3 kilometers, flying at speeds of up to 350-400 m/s; its firing range is up to 4 kilometers. However, the "Gepard" has a lower rate of fire compared to the "Shilka" - 1100 rounds per minute versus - 3400 ("Vulcan" - up to 3000), it is more than twice as heavy - 45.6 tons. And we note that the “Gepard” was put into service 11 years later than the “Shilka”, in 1973, this is a machine of a later generation.

The French anti-aircraft artillery complex Turren AMX-13 and the Swedish Bofors EAAC-40 are known in many countries. But they are not superior to the ZSU created by Soviet scientists and workers. “Shilka” is still in service with ground forces of many armies around the world, including the Russian one.

In the photo: ZSU-23-4 cover T-55 tanks during exercises

Of all the anti-aircraft systems built after World War II, it has the longest and most impressive track record.

The Middle East became the place of baptism of fire for “Shilka”, then there was the fight against American aviation in Vietnam, numerous conflicts on the African continent and the war in Afghanistan. The Afghan Mujahideen did not have aviation, so the Shilka was used for other purposes: the ZSU-23-4 was used to support ground forces and protect transport convoys. The Dushmans called “Shilka” “shaitan-arba” and were very afraid of her.

ZSU-23-4 is designed to cover ground troops, as well as combat low-flying targets. "Shilka" was part of the air defense of the regimental level. Potential opponents highly appreciated the combat effectiveness of this anti-aircraft system; at one time, the Americans and Israelis spent a lot of effort to obtain it for study.

Currently, the ZSU-23-4 is considered an obsolete anti-aircraft gun; its replacement with the more advanced Tunguska air defense system began back in Soviet times. Despite this, Shilkas are still in service with the armed forces of Russia, Ukraine and several dozen other countries. They are actively used in local conflicts in third world countries.

Since the start of mass production, 6.5 thousand units of these weapons have been manufactured.

History of creation

During World War II, air attacks during the march became big problem for ground forces: attack aircraft, operating at low altitudes, caused enormous damage to manpower and military equipment. The Germans, who at the end of the war suffered severe losses from Western aviation, developed a small-caliber anti-aircraft gun called Kugelblitz (“Ball Lightning”). It had two 30-mm guns and a radar, with the help of which it detected the enemy and aimed at the target. The rate of fire of the Kugelblitz was 850 rounds per minute, and they even tried to install night vision devices on it. This ZSU was far ahead of its time and became the subject of study and copying for many years.

Soviet infantry and tank crews did not have such luxury and suffered greatly from German air raids throughout the war. They began to correct the situation after the victory over the Germans.

In 1947, work began on the creation of a 57-mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun ZSU-57-2. However, at the time production began, this complex was already outdated. It had a too low rate of fire (220-240 rounds per minute), clip-on loading and an open turret at the top. The ZSU-57-2 did not have a radar, so the target could only be detected visually, and it also did not have a protection system against weapons of mass destruction. Meanwhile, the potential enemy was not asleep: the Americans, having studied captured samples of the German “Ball Lightning”, adopted a 40-mm ZSU with a radar target detection system in 1956.

In 1957, work began in the USSR on the creation of a new self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Two competing projects were launched at once: the ZSU-37-2 Yenisei, armed with two 37 mm guns, and the ZSU-23-4 Shilka, with four 23 mm guns. Both anti-aircraft installations were equipped with a radar, had a tracked chassis and a system of protection against weapons of mass destruction. Formally, they were intended to solve various tasks: “Yenisei” provided protection for armored forces, and “Shilka” was supposed to cover motorized rifle units. Both complexes had belt-fed guns and water-cooled barrels.

By 1960, both anti-aircraft systems were ready, and their testing began. The ZSU-23-4 “Shilka” turned out to be 1.5-2 times more effective than its competitor in shooting at low-flying high-speed targets, but the “Yenisei” was superior to it in terms of engagement height. The commission recommended the adoption of both anti-aircraft systems. However, only the Shilka went into production; work on the Yenisei was suspended.

By 1970, "Shilka" became the main mobile anti-aircraft complex of the SA, it completely replaced the ZSU-57-2 and began to be exported. Shilkas were first used during the 1973 Arab-Israeli conflict. Then the Syrian air defense managed to destroy 98 Israeli Air Force aircraft, 10% of which were ZSU-23-4. Heavy anti-aircraft fire at low altitudes had a demoralizing effect on Israeli pilots, forcing them to climb to high altitudes, where they became easy prey for air defense systems.

“Shilkas” were used during the Iran-Iraq War (by both sides), in the final stages of the Vietnam War, and during Operation Desert Storm.

In Afghanistan, Soviet troops used the ZSU-23-4 to destroy ground targets. The unnecessary radar was removed from the Shilka and the ammunition load was increased to 4 thousand shells. After the Shilka appeared on the battlefield, the dushmans usually began to retreat.

The main disadvantage of the Shilka was the insufficient power of the 23-mm projectile; the military was not satisfied with the slanted range of the gun and the insufficient high-explosive effect of the projectiles. When creating a new attack aircraft, the Americans tested on it the effects of a captured Shilka, captured by Jews during the 1973 war. This is how the famous A-10 “Warthog” appeared, which is really well protected from 23 mm anti-aircraft ammunition. The Americans actively advertised this aircraft, calling it invulnerable to Soviet air defense fire.

They tried to convert the ZSU-23-4 to a more powerful 30-mm projectile, but it turned out that it was easier and cheaper to build a new anti-aircraft gun than to modernize an old one. And so it was done: in 1982, the Tunguska ZSU, armed with 30-mm automatic cannons, was put into service.

Over the years of operation of this complex, several modifications have been developed.

Description of design

ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" has a welded body with bulletproof and anti-fragmentation armor. It is divided into three compartments: control, located in the front of the vehicle, the fighting compartment, located in its center, and the power compartment, in the rear. On the right side of the anti-aircraft gun there are three hatches, through which the equipment of the machine is dismantled and serviced, as well as the ventilation of the units.

The Shilki turret is equipped with a quadruple 23-mm AZP-23 Amur gun, the automation of which operates by removing powder gases from the barrel. Each barrel is equipped with a cooling system casing and a flash suppressor. The cartridge feed is lateral, from a belt link with the cartridge skewed. The tapes are in cartridge boxes. The turret contains two boxes; the system for cocking anti-aircraft guns is pneumatic.

The Shilka ammunition consists of two types of 23-mm shells: armor-piercing BZT and fragmentation OFZT. Armor-piercing BZT ammunition does not have an explosive and contains only an incendiary composition for tracing. OFZT shells have a fuse and a self-destructive device (action time is 5-10 seconds). In a belt for four rounds of OFZT there is one BZT.

Guidance is carried out using hydraulic drives, manual guidance is also possible. The rate of fire is 3400 rounds per minute.

In the instrument compartment of the tower there is a radar-instrument complex, with the help of which the target is searched, tracked, and projectile trajectories and the necessary lead are calculated. The detection range of airborne objects is 18 km.

The Shilka anti-aircraft complex can fire at air targets in several modes:

• in automatic;
• in semi-automatic;
• along foreshortening rings;
• according to remembered coordinates;
• against ground targets.

Automatic firing mode is considered the main one.

The radar-instrument complex consists of the following elements:

• lamp radar 1RL33M2;
• analog counting and solving device;
• sighting device;
• stabilization systems.

The combat vehicle is equipped with an R-123M radio station and a TPU-4 intercom.

ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is equipped with a V6R diesel engine. It has six cylinders, liquid cooling and a maximum power of 206 kW. The vehicle has two aluminum fuel tanks with a total volume of 515 liters. This was enough for up to 400 km. The additional installation is intended to power the on-board electronics.

The chassis of the machine consists of two drive wheels, two guide wheels and twelve road wheels with rubber-coated rims. Suspension – independent torsion bar.

The crew is protected from weapons of mass destruction by creating excess pressure in the fighting compartment and purifying the air.

The modernization of the Shilka anti-aircraft complex followed the path of improving its ability to detect air targets, as well as increasing the security of the complex. Back in the mid-70s, the Ovod-M-SV complex was created to control the fire of anti-aircraft guns at the regimental level. It included the Luk-23 radar and an automated fire control system.

In the mid-90s, modifications “Shilka-M4” and “Shilka-M5” appeared with more advanced fire control systems. To destroy armored targets, a 23-mm sub-caliber ammunition was created.

In 1999, the Shilka modification was presented to the general public, the turret of which was additionally equipped with Igla MANPADS.

Advantages and disadvantages

One of the main disadvantages of the Shilka anti-aircraft gun is its heavy, complex and low-power chassis. Its repair and maintenance is a complex and labor-intensive task. To get to some of its components, it is necessary to dismantle many units, drain the oil and coolant. Power 240 l. s., which the Shilka engine is capable of, is insufficient for its weight, so the car is slow-moving and difficult to maneuver.

In addition, other design errors and shortcomings were made in the power plant and chassis of the vehicle, which resulted in frequent breakdowns of the anti-aircraft gun.

The Shilki radar has a short range and is quite finicky to set up. It should also be added that the car provided a minimum level of comfort for the crew.

However, all of the above disadvantages are leveled out the highest level reliability anti-aircraft guns complex. If they were correctly assembled and installed, and the cooling system was filled with water according to the standards, then the likelihood of failure or failure during shooting was practically eliminated.

Even today, the Shilka can pose a serious danger to enemy planes and helicopters, unless, of course, they fly too high.

Specifications

Below are the performance characteristics of the ZSU-23-4 “Shilka”.

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