ZIL-135 | |
|---|---|
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Role | Artillery truck |
| Produced | 1959-1963 (ZIL) |
| 1963-1994 (BAZ) | |
| Built | Unknow |
The ZIL-135 is a large, eight-wheeled military transport and self-propelled artillery truck produced in the Cold War by the Soviet Union starting in 1959. Its purpose was to carry and launch an artillery missile, specifically a FROG-7, from surface-to-surface. The ZIL-135 was widely exported to other communist countries, most notably North Korea, where it is a common sight in films and military marches. It also served as the TEL for the BM-27 Uragan artillery rocket system.
Source: ZIL-135 on Wikipedia
| FROG-7 Luna on BAZ-135 Walk Around | |
|---|---|
| Photographer | Robert De Craecker |
| Localisation | Unknow |
| Photos | 121 |
See also:
General Characteristics and Role
The ZIL-135 is a Soviet/Russian high-mobility, eight-wheeled (8×8) military truck developed by the Likhaev Automobile Plant (ZIL). Designed specifically to carry heavy loads and traverse extremely difficult terrain, it became famous primarily as the transporter and launcher for the BM-27 Uragan and BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launcher systems (MRLS). Its unusual and highly capable design featured a long, flat cargo area, a distinctive forward-control cab, and a unique engine and transmission setup for optimal off-road performance. It was a staple of Soviet and later Russian missile artillery forces for decades.
| Property | Typical Value (ZIL-135LM) |
|---|---|
| Role | Heavy Artillery/Missile Transporter and Launcher |
| National Origin | Soviet Union (USSR) |
| Manufacturer | Zavod imeni Likhachova (ZIL) |
| Service Entry | 1963 |
| Crew | 4 (Driver, Commander, 2 Gunners/Operators) |
| Payload Capacity | 9,000 kg (20,000 lb) |
| Length Overall | 9.27 m (30 ft 5 in) |
| Width | 2.80 m (9 ft 2 in) |
| Height | 2.53 m (8 ft 4 in) (Cab Top) |
| Weight (Mass) | Approx. 12,000 kg (Empty) |
Powerplant and Unique Drivetrain
- Engines: 2 x ZIL-375YA V8 petrol engines. (Located directly behind the cab).
- Power Output (Total): 270 kW (360 hp) (180 hp from each engine).
- Drivetrain: A unique setup where each engine drives only one side of the vehicle (one engine for the left-side wheels, one for the right-side wheels), improving off-road capability and reliability.
- Driven Axles: All 8 wheels are driven (8×8).
- Steering: Only the front two axles and the rear two axles are steerable, allowing for a tight turning radius despite the vehicle’s length. The two central axles are fixed.
- Maximum Speed: 65 km/h (40 mph) on road.
- Operational Range: 500 km (310 mi).
Military Systems and Variants
- Primary Role: Transporter/Launcher for MRLS, including:
- BM-27 Uragan (Hurricane) 220 mm MRLS.
- BM-30 Smerch (Tornado) 300 mm MRLS.
- Missile Transport: Also used as the mobile chassis for the Luna-M (Frog-7) tactical ballistic missile system.
- Tire System: Equipped with a Central Tire Inflation System (CTIS), allowing the driver to adjust tire pressure for optimal traction on different surfaces.
- Variants:
- ZIL-135E: Prototype featuring electrical transmission (electric motors in the hubs).
- ZIL-135K: Prototype for missile transport (never mass-produced).
- ZIL-135LM: Mass-produced model with manual transmission (most common version).
- ZIL-135LN: Variant with a crane and recovery equipment.
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