ZU-23 23mm | |
|---|---|
| Country | Soviet Union |
| Type | Anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannon |
| Description | Album of 27 photos walk-around of a «ZU-23 23mm» |
Photo Gallery of a ZU-23 23mm, The ZU-23-2 is a Soviet autocannon towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled.
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The ZU-23-2, often simply referred to as the ZU-23, is a ubiquitous Soviet-designed towed anti-aircraft gun system that entered service in 1960. Its primary role is to provide low-level air defense against helicopters and low-flying aircraft, but its high rate of fire and versatility have made it highly effective in a secondary role against ground targets.
Design and Functionality
- Configuration: It consists of two gas-operated 23 mm 2A14 autocannons mounted side-by-side on a light two-wheeled trailer (carriage).
- Deployment: In the firing position, the wheels are moved aside, and the weapon rests on three outriggers, providing a stable firing platform. It can be converted from a towed (march) to a firing (combat) position very quickly, in about 30 seconds.
- Ammunition Feeding: Each cannon is belt-fed from its own 50-round ammunition box located on the side of the mount, for a total of 100 ready rounds. The use of quick-change barrels helps mitigate overheating during sustained firing.
- Sights: The gun is aimed and fired manually using the ZAP-23 optical-mechanical sight for air targets, and a separate T-3 straight-tube telescope for engaging ground targets.
Key Specifications and Capabilities
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Designation | ZU-23-2 (GRAU Index: 2A13) |
| Caliber | 23 mm |
| Ammunition | 23x152mm B |
| Weight (Combat) | Approx. 950 kg (2,094 lbs) |
| Cyclic Rate of Fire (Combined) | 2,000 rounds per minute |
| Practical Rate of Fire | Approx. 400 rounds per minute |
| Effective Anti-Air Range (Slant) | Up to 2.5 km (1.55 miles) |
| Effective Anti-Air Altitude | Up to 1.5 km (4,921 ft) |
| Effective Ground Range | Up to 2 km (1.24 miles) |
| Elevation | -10° to +90° |
| Traverse | 360° |
| Muzzle Velocity | 970 m/s |
Operational Use
The ZU-23-2 is a highly mobile and rugged weapon. It can be towed by various light military trucks and is air-droppable, which made it a standard piece of equipment for Soviet airborne forces. Due to its simplicity and effectiveness, it has been widely exported and license-produced, seeing service in over twenty countries and numerous conflicts globally. It is commonly mounted on the beds of pickup trucks (known as ‘technicals’) for a highly mobile, yet improvised, anti-aircraft and fire-support platform.
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