Combat use of shilka. "Shilka" - self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery installation (10 photos)

Almost simultaneously with the start of serial production of the ZSU-57-2 on April 17, 1957, the Council of Ministers adopted Decree No. 426-211 on the development of new rapid-fire ZSU Shilka and Yenisei with radar guidance systems. It was a kind of response to the adoption of the M42A1 ZSU into service in the United States.

Formally, "Shilka" and "Yenisei" were not competitors, since the first was developed to provide air defense for motorized rifle regiments to hit targets at altitudes up to 1500 m, and the second for air defense of tank regiments and divisions and operated at altitudes up to 3000 m.

The ZSU-37-2 "Yenisei" used a 37-mm automatic 500P, developed in OKB-16 ( chief designer A. E. Nudelman). 500P had no analogues in ballistics, and its cartridges were not interchangeable with other 37-mm automatic guns of the army and navy, with the exception of the Shkval small-scale anti-aircraft gun.

Especially for the Yenisei, OKB-43 designed the twin Angara cannon, equipped with two 500P belt-fed assault rifles. "Angara" had a system of liquid cooling of the trunks and servo electro-hydraulic drives, which were later planned to be replaced by purely electric ones. Guidance drive systems were developed by the Moscow TsNII-173 GKOT - for power servo guidance drives and the Kovrov branch of TsNII-173 (now VNII "Signal") - for stabilizing the line of sight and the line of fire.

The guidance of the Angara was carried out with the help of the anti-jamming RPK Baikal, created at the NII-20 GKRE and operating in the centimeter wavelength range - about 3 cm. ", Neither "Baikal" on the "Yenisei" could independently search for an air target with sufficient efficiency, therefore, even in the decree of the Council of Ministers No. "Ob" to control ZSU. The Ob included the Neva command vehicle with the Irtysh target designation radar and the Baikal RPK, located in the Yenisei ZSU. The Ob complex was supposed to simultaneously control the fire of six to eight ZSUs. However, in the middle of 1959, work on the Ob was stopped - this made it possible to speed up the development of the Krug anti-aircraft missile system.

The chassis for the Yenisei was designed at the Uralmash Design Bureau under the leadership of G.S. Efimov, based on the chassis of the SU-10OP experimental self-propelled gun. Its production was supposed to be deployed at the Lipetsk Tractor Plant.

The ZSU-37-2 had bulletproof armor, which provided protection against the 7.62 mm B-32 armor-piercing rifle bullet from a distance of 400 m in the places where the ammunition was placed.

To power the onboard network, the Yenisei was equipped with a special gas turbine engine developed by NAMI, the use of which made it possible to ensure rapid readiness for combat when low temperatures air.

Tests ZSU "Shilka" and "Yenisei" took place in parallel, although under different programs.

"Yenisei" had a kill zone in range and ceiling, close to the ZSU-57-2, and according to the conclusion of the State Commission "provided cover for tank troops in all types of combat, since air attack weapons against tank troops mainly operate at altitudes up to 3000 m" . Normal firing mode (tank) - a continuous burst of up to 150 shots per barrel, then a break of 30 s (air cooling) and repeating the cycle until the ammunition is used up.

During the tests, it was found that one ZSU "Yenisei" is superior in its effectiveness to a six-gun battery of 57-mm S-60 guns and a battery of four ZSU-57-2.

During tests, the ZSU "Yenisei" provided shooting in motion across the virgin soil at a speed of 20 - 25 km / h. When driving along a tank track at a training ground at a speed of 8-10 km / h, the accuracy of fire was 25% lower than from a standstill. The accuracy of the Angara cannon is 2-2.5 times higher than the S-68 cannon.

During the state tests, 6266 shots were fired from the Angara cannon. At the same time, only two delays and four breakdowns were noted, which amounted to 0.08% of delays and 0.06% of breakdowns from the number of shots fired, which is less than allowed for III. during the tests, the SDU (equipment for protection against passive interference) failed.The chassis showed good maneuverability.

• target speed limit - up to 660 m/s at altitudes over 300 m and 415 m/s at altitudes of 100 - 300 m;

• the average detection range of the MiG-17 aircraft in the 30 ° sector without target designation is 18 km ( maximum range MiG-17 escorts - 20 km);

• maximum target tracking speed vertically - 40 deg / s, horizontally - 60 deg / s. The time of transfer to combat readiness from the preliminary readiness mode is 10 - 15 s.

According to the data obtained during the tests, it was proposed to use the Yenisei to protect army anti-aircraft missiles of the Krug and Kub complexes, since the zone of its effective firing overlapped the dead zone of these air defense systems.

The Shilka, which was designed in parallel with the Yenisei, used the 2A7 assault rifle, which was a modification of the 2A14 assault rifle of the ZU-23 towed unit.

We remind the reader that in 1955 - 1959 several 23-mm towed installations were tested, but only the twin ZU-14 on a two-wheel drive, developed at the KBP under the leadership of N.M. Afanasyev and P.G. Yakushev, was adopted. The ZU-14 was officially adopted by Decree SM No. 313-25 of March 22, 1960 and was named ZU-23 (GRAU index - 2A13). She joined the airborne troops Soviet army, was in service with the Warsaw Pact countries and many developing countries, participated in many local wars and conflicts. However, the ZU-23 had significant drawbacks: it could not accompany tank and motorized rifle units.

niya, and the accuracy of its fire was reduced due to manual aiming and the absence of the PKK.

When creating the 2A7 machine, a casing with liquid cooling elements, a pneumatic reloading mechanism and an electric trigger were introduced into the 2A14 design. When firing, the barrels were cooled by running water or antifreeze through the grooves on their outer surface. After a burst of up to 50 shots (per barrel), a break of 2 - 3 seconds was necessary, and after 120 - 150 shots - 10 - 15 seconds. After 3000 shots, the barrel had to be replaced. In the ZIPe, the installation was supposed to have 4 spare barrels. The quad installation of 2A7 assault rifles was called the Amur gun (the army designation is AZP-23, the GRAU index is 2A10).

During the state tests, 14,194 shots were fired from the Amur gun and 7 delays were received, that is, 0.05% (0.3% was allowed according to TTT). The number of breakdowns is also 7, or 0.05% (according to TTT, 0.2% was allowed). The power drives for pointing the gun worked quite smoothly, stably and reliably.

RPK "Tobol" as a whole also worked quite satisfactorily. The target - the MiG-17 aircraft - after receiving target designation by radiotelephone, was detected at a distance of 12.7 km during a sector search of 30 ° (according to TTT - 15 km). The range of automatic target tracking was 9 km for approach and 15 km for removal. The RPK worked on targets flying at speeds up to 200 m / s, but according to the test data, a calculation was made that proved that the limit of its work in terms of target speed was 450 m / s, that is, it answered III. The value of the RPK sector search was adjusted from 27° to 87°.

During sea trials on dry dirt road a speed of 50.2 km/h was reached. At the same time, the fuel supply was enough for 330 km and still remained for 2 hours of operation of the gas turbine engine.

Since "Shilka" was intended to be replaced in motorized rifle regiments and airborne divisions of 14.5 mm quad anti-aircraft machine gun mounts ZPU-4 and 37 mm guns 61-K arr. 1939, based on the test results, the probability of hitting a target of the F-86 fighter type flying at an altitude of 1000 m was calculated from these artillery systems (see table).

After the completion of the tests of Shilka and Yenisei, the state commission considered comparative characteristics both ZSU and issued a conclusion on them:

1) "Shilka" and "Yenisei" are equipped with a radar system and provide shooting day and night in any weather; 2) the weight of the Yenisei is 28 tons, which is unacceptable for arming motorized rifle units and airborne forces; 3) when firing at MiG-17 and Il-28 aircraft at an altitude of 200 and 500 m, the Shilka is 2 and 1.5 times more effective than the Yenisei, respectively; 4) "Yenisei" is intended for air defense of tank regiments and tank divisions for the following reasons: - tank units and formations operate mainly in isolation from the main group of troops. "Yenisei" provides escort for tanks at all stages of the battle, provides effective fire at altitudes up to 3000 m and ranges up to 4500 m. The use of this installation virtually eliminates accurate bombing of tanks, which "Shilka" cannot provide; - there are quite powerful high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing shells. "Yenisei" can conduct more effective self-defense shooting at ground targets when following tank troops in combat formations; 5) unification of new ZSU with products that are in mass production: - according to Shilka - a 23-mm machine gun and shots for it are in mass production. Tracked base SU-85 is manufactured at MMZ; - according to the "Yenisei" - the RPK is unified in terms of modules with the "Krug" system, in terms of the tracked base - with the SU-100P, for the production of which 2 - 3 plants are preparing.

Both in the above excerpts from the conclusion of the commission, and in other documents, there is no clear justification for the priority of Shilka over Yenisei. Even their prices were comparable.

The commission recommended that both ZSUs be adopted. But by decision of the Council of Ministers of September 5, 1962 No. 925-401, only the Shilka was adopted, and on September 20 of the same year, the GKOT ordered to stop work on the Yenisei. An indirect proof of the delicacy of the situation was the fact that two days after the closure of work on the Yenisei, an order from the State Committee for Combating the State Committee for the same bonuses for organizations working on both machines appeared.

The Tula Machine-Building Plant was supposed to start mass production of Amur guns for Shilka at the beginning of 1963. However, both the guns and the vehicle were largely unfinished. A significant design defect was the unreliable withdrawal of spent cartridges, which accumulated in the cartridge cases and jammed the machine. There were also defects in the barrel cooling system, in the vertical guidance mechanism, etc.

As a result, in mass production"Shilka" went only in 1964. This year it was planned to produce 40 cars, but this was not possible. Nevertheless, mass production of the ZSU-23-4 was later launched. In the late 60s, their average annual output was about 300 cars.

Description of the design ZSU "Shilka"

In the welded hull of the GM-575 tracked vehicle, there is a control compartment - in the bow, a combat compartment - in the middle and a power compartment - in the stern. Between them there were partitions, which served as the front and rear supports of the tower.

The ZSU is equipped with an 8D6 type diesel engine, which was given the designation V-6R in the configuration for installation on the GM-575 by the manufacturer. 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, non-compressor liquid-cooled diesel engine. Maximum power at 2000 rpm - 280 hp The working volume of the cylinders is 19.1 liters, the compression ratio is 15.0.

The GM-575 has two welded aluminum alloy fuel tanks - the front one for 405 liters and the rear one for 110 liters. The first is located in a separate compartment of the bow of the hull.

The power transmission is mechanical, with a step change in gear ratios, located in the stern. The main friction clutch is multi-disc, dry friction. The main clutch control drive is mechanical, from the pedal in the driver's seat. The gearbox is mechanical, three-way, five-speed, with synchronizers in II, III, IV and V gears.

Swing mechanisms are planetary, two-stage, with locking clutches. Final drives are single-stage, with cylindrical gears.

The caterpillar mover of the machine consists of two driving wheels, two guide wheels with a caterpillar tension mechanism, two caterpillar chains and twelve road wheels.

The caterpillar chain is metal, with lantern gearing, with closed hinges, from 93 steel tracks interconnected by steel pins. Track width 382 mm, track pitch 128 mm.

Drive wheels are welded, with removable rims, rear arrangement. The guide wheels are single, with metal rims. Track rollers are welded, single, with rubberized rims.

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

The tower is a welded structure with a shoulder strap diameter of 1840 mm. It is fixed on the bed with front frontal sheets, on the left and right walls of which the upper and lower cradles of the gun are attached. When the swinging part of the gun is given an elevation angle, the frame embrasure 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 sheet: one, with a bolted cover, serves for mounting the tower equipment, the other two are closed with a visor and are air inlets for ventilation of the units and the blower of the PAZ system. On the left side of the tower, a casing is welded on the outside, designed to remove steam from the cooling system of the gun barrels. Two hatches are provided in the aft sheet of the tower, designed to service the equipment.

The turret is equipped with a 23-mm AZP-23 Amur quadruple gun. She, along with the tower, was assigned the index 2A10, the automatic guns - 2A7, and the power drives - 2E2. The operation of gun automation is based on the removal of powder gases through a side hole in the barrel wall. The barrel consists of a pipe, casings of the cooling system, gas chamber and a flame arrester. The gate is wedge, with the lowering of the wedge down. The length of the machine 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.

The supply of cartridges is lateral, the chambering is direct, directly from the link with a skewed cartridge. The right machines have the right tape feed, the left ones have the left one. The tape is fed into the receiving windows of the machines from the cartridge box. For this, the energy of powder gases is used, which actuates the feed mechanism through the bolt carrier, and partly the energy of the recoil of automata. The gun is equipped with two boxes of 1000 rounds (of which 480 are on the upper machine gun, and 520 on the lower one) 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 automatic machines are mounted on each cradle. Two cradles (upper and lower) are mounted on the bed one above the other at a distance of 320 mm from each other in a horizontal position, the lower one is advanced forward by 320 mm in relation to the upper one. The parallelism of the trunks is provided by a parallelogram traction connecting both cradles. Two toothed sectors are attached to the bottom, which engage with the gears of the input shaft of the vertical guidance gearbox. The Amur gun is placed on a base placed on a ball shoulder strap. The base consists of upper and lower boxes. Attached to the end of the upper box armored turret. Inside the base there are two longitudinal beams that serve as a support for the bed. Both cradles with machine guns attached to them swing on the trunnions in the bed bearings.

The gun ammunition includes 23-mm BZT and OFZT shells. BZT armor-piercing shells weighing 190 g do not have a fuse and explosive, but contain only incendiary for tracing. fragmentation shells OFZT weighing 188.5 g have a head fuse MG-25. The propellant charge for both shells is the same - 77 g of gunpowder brand 5/7 CFL. Cartridge weight 450 g. Steel sleeve, disposable. The ballistic data of both shells are the same - starting speed 980 m/s, tabular ceiling 1500 m, tabular range 2000 m. The feed of the automatic machines is tape, for 50 rounds. Four OFZT cartridges alternate in the tape - one BZT cartridge, etc.

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

Depending on the external conditions and the state of the equipment, anti-aircraft targets are fired in the following modes.

The first (main) is the auto-tracking mode, the angular coordinates and range are determined by the radar, which automatically tracks the target along them, issuing data to the calculating device (analogue computer) to generate advanced coordinates. The opening of fire is carried out by the signal "There is data" on the calculating device. The RPK automatically generates full pointing angles, taking into account the pitching and yaw of the ZSU, and outputs them to the guidance drives, and the latter automatically direct the gun to the pre-empted point. Shooting is carried out by the commander or search operator - gunner.

The second mode - the angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range - from the radar.

The angular current coordinates of the target are fed into the calculating device from the sighting device, which is induced by the search operator - the gunner - semi-automatically, and the range values ​​are received 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 antenna guidance system in terms of angular coordinates, or, in the event of a malfunction in the autotracking channel, in terms of the angular coordinates of the radar. Otherwise, the complex works the same way as in the auto-tracking mode.

The third mode - advanced coordinates are generated according to the "memorized" values ​​of the current coordinates X, Y, H and the components of the target velocity Vx, V and Vh, based on the hypothesis of a uniform rectilinear movement of the target in any plane. The mode is used when there is a threat of loss of the radar target in the process of automatic tracking due to interference or malfunctions.

The fourth mode is shooting with the help of a backup sight, guidance is performed in semi-automatic mode. The lead is introduced by the search operator - the gunner on the foreshortening rings of the backup sight. This mode is used in case of failure of the radar, computer and stabilization systems.

The radar and instrument complex is designed to control the fire of the AZP-23 gun and is located in the instrument compartment of the turret. It consists of: a radar station, a calculating device, blocks and elements of systems for stabilizing the line of sight and the line of fire, a sighting device. The radar station is designed to detect low-flying high-speed targets and exact definition coordinates of the selected target, which can be performed in two modes: a) angular coordinates and range are automatically tracked; b) the angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range - from the radar.

The radar operates in the range of 1 - 1.5 cm waves. The range was chosen for a number of reasons. Such stations have antennas with small weight and size characteristics. Radars in the 1-1.5 cm wavelength range are less susceptible to intentional enemy interference, since the ability to operate in a wide frequency band makes it possible to increase the noise immunity and processing speed of received information by using broadband frequency modulation and signal coding. 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. Looking ahead, let's say that radars operating in this range make it possible to detect air targets developed using stealth technology. By the way, according to the foreign press, during Operation Desert Storm, the Iraqi Shilka shot down an American F-117A aircraft built using this technology.

The disadvantage of the radar is 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 Shilki radar uses a coherent-pulse method of target selection. Simply put, constant signals from terrain objects and passive interference are not taken into account, and signals from moving targets enter the PKK. Radar control produced by the search operator and the range operator.

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

The main elements of the power supply system include:

• gas turbine engine of the power supply system type DG4M-1, designed to rotate the DC generator;

• a set of PGS2-14A DC generator with equipment designed to supply DC consumers with a stabilized voltage of 55 V and 27.5 V;

• a set of converter block BP-III with a block of contactors BK-III, designed to convert direct current into alternating three-phase current;

• four 12-ST-70M batteries designed to compensate for peak overloads of the DC generator, to power the starters of the DG4M-1 engine and the V-6R engine of the machine, as well as to power appliances and electrical consumers when the generator is not running.

The gas turbine engine DG4M-1, the gearbox of the power supply system and the generator PGS2-14A are connected to each other into a single power unit, which is installed in the power compartment of the machine in the right rear niche and is rigidly fixed at four points. The rated power of the DG4M-1 engine is 70 hp. at 6000 rpm. Specific fuel consumption up to 1050 g/hp in hour. The maximum starting time of the DG4M-1 engine with the acceptance of the rated load, including cold cranking, is 2 min. The dry weight of the DG4M-1 engine is 130 kg.

The ZSU-23-4 is equipped with a short-wave FM radio transceiver R-123. The radius of its action on medium-rough terrain with the noise suppressor turned off and the absence of interference is up to 23 km, and with the noise suppressor turned on - up to 13 km.

For internal communication, a tank intercom R-124 for 4 subscribers is used.

ZSU-23-4 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 moves, the duration of the operation 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 the control compartment. For this, a central blower with inertial air separation is used.

Operation, modernization and combat use"Shilki"

ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" began to enter the troops in 1965 and by the beginning of the 70s completely replaced the ZSU-57-2. Initially, in the state of the tank regiment there was a “shilok” division, which consisted of two batteries of four vehicles each. In the late 60s, it often happened that in the 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 ZSUs, and the other four Strela-1 self-propelled air defense systems (then Strela-10 air defense systems).

The operation of "Shilka" showed that the RPK-2 works well in the conditions of the use of passive interference. There was practically no active interference with Shilka during our exercises, since there were no means of radio countermeasures on its operating frequencies, at least in the 70s. Significant shortcomings of the PKK, which often needed to be reconfigured, were also revealed. The instability of the electrical parameters of the circuits was noted. The PKK 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.

The DG4M-1 gas turbine engines were constantly junk, and the on-board network generator worked mainly from the main engine. In turn, the systematic operation of the diesel engine in the parking lot at low speeds led to its pitching.

In the second half of the 60s, the ZSU-23-4 underwent two small upgrades, the main purpose of which was to increase the reliability of various components and assemblies, primarily the RPK. The machines 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, the Council of Ministers issued a resolution on a more serious modernization of the Shilka. The most important part of it was the reworking of the 2A7 assault rifles and the 2A10 gun in order to increase the reliability and stability of the complex, increase the survivability of the gun parts and reduce the time for Maintenance. In the process of modernization, the pneumocharging of the 2A7 automata was replaced by a pyrocharging, which made it possible to exclude the unreliably working compressor and a number of other components from the design. The welded coolant outlet tube was replaced with a flexible pipe - this increased the barrel resource from 3500 to 4500 shots. In 1973, the upgraded ZSU-23-4M was put into service along with the 2A7M assault rifle and the 2A10M gun. ZSU-23-4M received the designation "Biryusa", but in the army it was still called "Shilka".

After the next upgrade, the installation received the ZSU-23-4MZ index (3 - interrogator). For the first time, the identification equipment “friend or foe” was installed on it. Later, during the repair, all ZSU-23-4M were brought up to the level of ZSU-23-4MZ. Production of the ZSU-23-4MZ was discontinued in 1982.

Shilka 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), as well as in the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991.

There are different points of view about the effectiveness of the "Shilka" in the fight against air targets. So, during the 1973 war, the "shilki" accounted for about 10% of all losses of Israeli aircraft (the rest were distributed between air defense systems and fighter aircraft). However, the captured pilots showed that the "shilki" literally created a sea of ​​​​fire and the pilots instinctively left the zone of fire of the ZSU and fell into the zone of operation of the air defense system. During Operation Desert Storm, the pilots of the multinational forces tried not to operate unnecessarily at altitudes of less than 1300 m, fearing the fire of "shilok".

"Shilki" were highly valued in Afghanistan by our officers and soldiers. There is a column along the road, and suddenly there is fire from an ambush, try to organize a defense, all the cars have already been shot. Salvation is one - "Shil-ka". A long queue on the enemy, and a sea of ​​\u200b\u200bfire on his position. Dushmans called our self-propelled unit "shaitan-arba". They determined the beginning of its work immediately and immediately began to depart. Thousands of Soviet soldiers "Shilka" saved the life.

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

An interesting touch. The columns escorted by the Shilka were rarely attacked not only in the mountains, but also near settlements. The ZSU was dangerous for the manpower hidden behind the adobe duvals - the projectile fuse worked when it hit the wall. Effectively "Shilka" also hit lightly armored targets - armored personnel carriers, vehicles ...

When adopting the Shil-ku, both the military and representatives of the military-industrial complex understood that the 23-mm Amur gun was too weak. This applied both to the short slant range, and to the ceiling, and to the weakness of the high-explosive action of the projectile. The Americans added fuel to the fire by advertising the new A-10 attack aircraft, which was allegedly invulnerable to 23-mm Shilka shells. As a result, almost the next day after the adoption of the ZSU-23-4, all high authorities began talking about its modernization in terms of increasing firepower and, first of all, increasing the effective firing ceiling and the destructive effect of the projectile.

Since the autumn of 1962, several draft designs for installing 30-mm machine guns on the Shilka have been worked out. Among them, a 30-mm NN-30 revolver-type assault rifle designed by OKB-16, used in the AK-230 ship installation, a 30-mm AO-18 six-barreled assault rifle from AK-630 ship installations, and a 30-mm AO-17 double-barreled assault rifle designed by KBP . In addition, the 57-mm double-barreled AO-16 assault rifle, specially designed at the Design Bureau for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, was tested.

On March 26, 1963, a technical council was held in Mytishchi near Moscow under the leadership of N.A. Astrov. On it, it was decided to increase the caliber of the ZSU from 23 to 30 mm. This doubled (from 1000 to 2000 m) increased the zone of 50% probability of hitting the target and increased the firing range from 2500 to 4000 m. , increased by 1.5 times.

When comparing 30-mm machine guns, it was indicated that the extraction of cartridge cases from the HH-30 goes back down, and the removal of cartridge cases from the Shilka turret goes forward to the side, which will require significant alterations in the ZSU. When comparing the AO-17 and AO-18, which had the same ballistics, the advantage of the first was noted, which required less modification of individual components, provided easier operating conditions for the drives, while maintaining the continuity of the design to a greater extent, including the turret ring, horizontal gearbox, guidance , hydraulic drive, etc.

Weapons models developed by Soviet specialists have repeatedly become the best in the world. This also applies to air defense systems, although for quite a long time the armed forces of the USSR did not have an effective self-propelled anti-aircraft system that was not related to missiles.

Great experience Patriotic War and the development of electronics and technology led to the birth of "Shilka", ZSU - which became a legend immediately after being put into service.

Birth of a legend

Second World War showed all the danger of actions attack aviation. Not a single army in the world could provide reliable cover for equipment and infantry from attacks by attack aircraft and dive bombers, especially on marches. The German army suffered the most. Oerlikons and FLAKs could not cope with the massive raids by American ground attack aircraft and Soviet "flying tanks" Il-2, especially at the end of the war.

To protect infantry and tanks, the Wirbelwind, ("Tornado"), Kugelblitz, ("Ball Lightning") and several other models were created. Two 30-mm guns, firing 850 rounds per minute, and a radar system were pioneers in the development of ZSU, several years ahead of their time. Of course, they could no longer make a radical change in the course of the war, but the experience of their use formed the basis of post-war developments in the field of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.

In 1947, the designers of the country of the Soviets began active development of a prototype ZSU-57-2, but this machine was outdated even before it was born. 2 57-mm guns, reloaded with clips, had a low rate of fire, and the lack of radar systems made the design virtually blind.

The open tower did not inspire confidence in terms of crew protection, so the issue of modernization was very acute. Oil was added to the fire by the Americans, who deeply studied the German experience with the Molniya models and created their own ZSAU M42 according to last word technology.

1957 was marked by the beginning of work on the creation of new systems of self-propelled anti-aircraft guns.

There were originally to be two. The four-barreled "Shilka" was intended to support infantry in battle and on the march, the double-barreled "Yenisei" was supposed to cover tank units. Field tests began in 1960, during which no clear leader was identified. "Yenisei" had a long range, shooting down targets at an altitude of 3000 meters.

"Shilka" twice surpassed the competitor in shooting at targets at low altitude, but not higher than 1500 meters. The army authorities decided that the second option was a priority, and in 1962 a decree was issued on its adoption.

Installation design

Prototypes even during the creation of the model, they were made on the chassis of self-propelled guns ASU-85 and experimental SU-100P. The body is welded, well protected from bullets and shrapnel. The structure is divided into three parts.

Diesel is located in the stern power unit, in the middle of the warhead, and in the head control compartment.

On the right side of the board there are 3 rectangular hatches in a row. Thanks to them, access to the technical units in the car is possible, their repair and replacement. Service is carried out by a crew of 4 people. In addition to the usual ones - the driver and commander, this includes the range operator and the senior radio receiver corps.

The turret of the vehicle is flat and wide, in the center of which there are 4 barrels of the AZP-23 gun of 23 mm caliber, named after the tradition of the entire line of weapons - "Cupid". Automation is based on the principle of removal of powder gases. The barrels are equipped with a cooling system and a flame arrester.

Cartridges are fed from the side, in a belt way, pneumatics provide cocking of anti-aircraft guns. The tower has an instrument compartment, with radar equipment that provides search and capture of targets within a radius of 18 kilometers. Guidance is provided hydraulically or mechanically. In a minute, the machine can fire 3400 shots.

• radar is carried out thanks to several devices;
• tube radar;
• vizier;
• calculating instrument of analog type;
• stabilization systems.

Communication is provided by the R-123M radio station, the TPU-4 intercom operates inside the vehicle. The power plant is a drawback of the whole design. The motor has insufficient power for a 19-ton colossus. Because of this, "Shilka" has low maneuverability and speed.

Flaws in the placement of the motor led to problems with the repair.

To change some components, mechanics had to disassemble half power plant and drain all technical fluids. The move is provided, as on most tracked vehicles, by a pair of driving and a pair of guide wheels.

The movement is made with the help of 12 rubber-coated rollers. Suspension independent, torsion type. Fuel tanks hold 515 liters of diesel fuel, which is enough for 400 km.

Comparative characteristics of "Shilka"

The car in question was not the first in the world and far from the only one. American analogues were ready faster than Soviet samples, but the speed affected the quality and combat characteristics.

Subsequent samples, having approximately the same characteristics as the Shilka, were not up to par during operation.

Let's take the Soviet "Shilka" and its direct competitor ZSU / M163, which was in service with the American army.

According to the characteristics, both vehicles had similar parameters, however, the Soviet model had a higher rate of fire and density of fire, creating a fire barrage due to 4 spaced barrels, larger in area than the American counterpart.

The fact of a small series of the American device speaks for itself, as well as its removal from service and comparative unpopularity with buyers from other countries.

The Soviet model is still in service in 39 countries of the world, although more advanced models have taken its place.

Samples of the Shilok captured from the allies of the USSR served as the basis for the West German analogue of the Leopard, as well as many ideas for modernization.

Of particular note is the reliability of combat vehicle components. According to the analysis of memories of operation, especially in field comparative tests, Western models were reliable in operation, but the Shilka still broke down less.

Machine modifications

New technologies, long service life and several cases of sample capture by NATO countries and their allies paved the way for the modernization of the machine. The most famous and massive cars leading the pedigree from "Shilka":

• ZSU-23-4V, modernization that increased the reliability of the installation and increased the resource of the gas turbine apparatus by 150 hours;
• ZSU-23-4V1, modernization of the previous machine, which increased the accuracy of fire and the reliability of target tracking on the move;
• ZSU-23-4M1, improved reliability of barrels, radar and overall stability of the vehicle;
• ZSU-23-4M2, modernization for fighting in the mountains of Afghanistan, equipment for combating aircraft was removed, armor and ammunition were added;
• ZSU-23-4M3 "Turquoise", which received a recognition system "friend or foe" called "Ray";
• ZSU-23-4M4 "Shilka-M4", a deep modernization, as a result of which almost all electronic filling was replaced with new developments, new systems were added for more effective application;
• ZSU-23-4M5 "Shilka-M5", which received a new electronic fire control system.

There were also upgrades to the machine for launching guided missiles. Since Shilka can shoot down aircraft at low altitude, rocket models corrected this feature.

The missiles used on such models are the "Cube" and its modifications.

"Shilka" in combat

For the first time, an anti-aircraft gun took part in the battles in Vietnam. New system was an unpleasant surprise for American pilots. high density fire and ammunition exploding in the air made it almost impossible to get away from the shelling of the Shilok.

New systems took an active part in a series of Arab-Israeli wars. During the 1973 conflict alone, Egyptian and Syrian vehicles shot down 27 IDF Skyhawks. In search of a tactical solution to the problem of shelling "Shilka", Israeli pilots went to high altitude, but there they fell into the zone of destruction of missiles.

Shilki played a huge role during the war in Afghanistan.

According to the charter, vehicles must accompany the columns at a distance of approximately 400 meters from other vehicles. The war in the mountains has made its own adjustments to tactics. Mozhdheads did not have aviation, so the crews did not worry about the sky. When attacking columns, the Shilka played the role of one of the main deterrents.

Thanks to the 4th 23-mm barrels, the Shilka became the best assistant to the infantry in case of unexpected attacks. The density and efficiency of fire immediately crossed out all the shortcomings of the undercarriage. The infantry prayed to the ZSU. The angle of the barrels made it possible to shoot almost vertically, and the powerful cartridge did not take into account the fortifications such as clay walls in the villages. The turn of "Shilka" turned the Mujahideen together with the shelter into a homogeneous mass. For these qualities, the "spirits" nicknamed the Soviet ZSU "shaitan-arba", translated as a damn cart.

But the main task was still air cover. The samples of "Shilok" obtained by the Americans were comprehensively studied, as a result, aircraft with more impressive armor protection appeared. To fight them Soviet designers in the 1980s, a deep modernization of the considered ZSU was carried out. Simply changing the guns to more powerful ones was not enough; many important structural components had to be replaced. Thus was born "Tunguska", faithfully serving in the army to this day.

After the advent of new machines, Shilka was not forgotten. 39 countries put it into service.

Almost no conflict of the second half of the twentieth century could do without the use of this machine.

It happened that "Shilki" turned out to be different sides barricades, fighting each other.

For the Soviet military, the appearance of "Shilok" was a real revolution. The deployment of traditional batteries often evoked dread and dread in officers and men due to the many actions required to competently protect the sky. The new ZSU made it possible to protect air space on the go, with a minimum preliminary preparation. High performance, relevant even by modern standards, made the car a legend, almost immediately after birth.

Video

Designed to protect the combat formations of troops, columns on the march, stationary objects and railway echelons from air strikes, helicopters, cruise missiles at altitudes up to 1500 m with a slant range of 200 to 2500 m and a flight speed of up to 450 m/s. ZSU can also be used to destroy mobile and stationary ground targets at ranges up to 2000 m.

ZSU "Shilka" includes:

23mm quad automatic anti-aircraft gun AZP-23-4;

Electro-hydraulic power servo drives;

Radio instrument complex RPK-2M;

Power supply system;

Tracked self-propelled;

Navigation equipment;

Day and night observation devices;

External and internal communication equipment;

Anti-nuclear defense equipment.

The composition of the RPK includes a gun-guided radar, a calculating device and a sighting device.

In any weather and visibility conditions, using the radar in the ZSU, the coordinates of the target are automatically determined, according to which the calculating device generates advance data for aiming the AZP-23-4 gun mount. Automatic aiming of guns is provided with the help of hydraulic power drives. Distinctive features of the AZP-23-4 gun machine are the presence electrical circuit ensuring firing and forced interlayer cooling of the barrels of the machine gun.
The A3P - 23 -4 assault rifle provides a rate of fire of about 4000 rounds / min.

The effectiveness of firing at an aircraft located within the firing zone ranges from 0.05 to 0.25.

The ZSU-23-4 has an ammunition load of 2,000 rounds (shells).

The time for transferring the ZSU from the traveling position to the combat position is about 5 minutes, the combat crew is 4 people.

ZSU allows several ways to aim the gun at the target and fire. These methods determine the five modes of combat operation of the ESU. When the ZSU is operating in the first three modes, the gun is guided by the guidance actuators, which are included in the automatic guidance mode, according to the data coming from the PKK.

When working in the fourth and fifth modes, the gun is aimed at the right head (double sight) of the sighting device using the guidance actuators included in the semi-automatic guidance mode or (in the fifth mode) manually using the handwheels. Guidance drives in these modes are controlled by the search operator using the T-55M1 radar handle block. The ZSU has a number of interlocks, the operation of which excludes the possibility of turning on the power drives for guidance and firing. These locks are provided to ensure the safety of the crew and their troops during the combat operation of the ZSU. The interlocks are set so that the inclusion of the guidance actuators is possible only when the turret and the swinging part of the ARZ are locked, the driver's hatch is closed and the link collector hatch cover is closed.

Depending on the operating modes, the opening of fire is carried out either by the commander from the fire handle, or the search operator from the handle of the T-55M1 block, or using the trigger pedal.
After the ZSU-23-4 was adopted in 1962, it went through several upgrades.

The first modernization took place during 1968-1969, as a result of which the reliability of the operation of the installation increased, the living conditions for calculation improved, the resource of the gas turbine unit (GTA) was increased from 300 to 450 hours. commander's guidance device (CPN). The upgraded installation was named ZSU-23-4V.

In 1970-1971. the computing instrument was upgraded. This made it possible to increase the accuracy and efficiency of shooting, the reliability of auto-tracking of the target with an increase in the speed of the installation from 20 to 40 km / h, to increase the resource of the GTA from 450 to 600 hours. The installation was named ZSU-23-4V1. In 1971 - 1972 as a result of the development work, the survivability of the barrels was increased from 3000 to 4500 rounds, the reliability of the radar was improved, and the resource of the GTA was again increased from 600 to 900 hours. The installation became known as the ZSU-23-4M1.

During 1977 - 1978, a radio interrogator of the "friend or foe" aircraft identification system was installed in the installation. After that, ZSU "Shilka" was named ZSU-23-4MZ.

In 1978 - 1979, the following modernization of the Shilka ZSU was carried out in order to better use it in mountainous conditions, in particular, in combat formations in Afghanistan. night vision equipment for firing at night at ground targets. The upgraded installation called ZSU-23-4M2 proved to be effective in combat operations in the mountainous conditions of Afghanistan.

In the course of further modernization, radar and optical-location fire control systems, telecode equipment for exchanging information with the command post are being introduced into the installation. The radar and the main equipment of the installation have been transferred to a modern element base and digital signal processing, the units and mechanisms of the basic self-propelled gun have been improved.

ZSU turns into an anti-aircraft missile and gun system.

The probability of hitting a ZSU target increases (from 1 0.12 to 0.55 - 0.6), and each installation got the opportunity to receive target designation via a telecode communication channel from the command post.

Main characteristics:

Almost simultaneously with the start of mass production of the ZSU-57-2, on April 17, 1957, the Council of Ministers adopts Resolution N9 426-211 on the development of new rapid-fire ZSU Shilka and Yenisei with radar guidance systems. It was a kind of response to the adoption of the M42A1 ZSU into service in the United States.

Formally, "Shilka" and "Yenisei" were not competitors, since the first was developed to provide air defense for motorized rifle regiments to hit targets at altitudes up to 1500 m, and the second for air defense of tank regiments and divisions and operated at altitudes up to 3000 m.

The ZSU-37-2 "Yenisei" used a 37-mm 500P assault rifle, developed in OKB-16 (chief designer A.E. Nudelman). 500P had no analogues in ballistics, and its cartridges were not interchangeable with other 37-mm automatic guns of the army and navy, with the exception of the small-scale Shkval anti-aircraft gun.

Especially for the Yenisei, OKB-43 designed the twin Angara cannon, equipped with two 500P belt-fed assault rifles. "Angara" had a system of liquid cooling of the trunks and servo electro-hydraulic drives, which were later planned to be replaced by purely electric ones. Guidance drive systems were developed by the Moscow TsNII-173 GKOT - for power servo guidance drives and the Kovrov branch of TsNII-173 (now VNII "Signal") - for stabilizing the line of sight and the line of fire.

Guidance of the Angara was carried out with the help of the interference-proof RPK Baikal, created at the NII-20 GKRE and operating in the centimeter wavelength range - about 3 cm. ", Neither "Baikal" on the "Yenisei" could independently search for an air target with sufficient efficiency, therefore, even in the resolution SM N9 426-211 of 04/17/1957, it was envisaged to create and transfer to state tests in the II quarter of 1960 a mobile radar "Ob" to control ZSU. The Ob included the Neva command vehicle with the Irtysh target designation radar and the Baikal RPK, located in the Yenisei ZSU. The Ob complex was supposed to simultaneously control the fire of six to eight ZSUs. However, in the middle of 1959, work on the Ob was stopped - this made it possible to speed up the development of the Krug anti-aircraft missile system.

The chassis for the Yenisei was designed at the Uralmash Design Bureau under the leadership of G.S. Efimov, based on the chassis of the SU-10OP experimental self-propelled gun. Its production was supposed to be deployed at the Lipetsk Tractor Plant.

The ZSU-37-2 had bulletproof armor, which provided protection against the 7.62 mm B-32 armor-piercing rifle bullet from a distance of 400 m in the places where the ammunition was placed.

To power the onboard network, the Yenisei was equipped with a special gas turbine engine developed by NAMI, the use of which made it possible to ensure quick readiness for combat at low air temperatures.

Tests ZSU "Shilka" and "Yenisei" took place in parallel, albeit under different programs (see table).

"Yenisei" had a kill zone in range and ceiling, close to the ZSU-57-2, and according to the conclusion of the State Commission "provided cover for tank troops in all types of combat, since air attack weapons against tank troops mainly operate at altitudes up to 3000 m" . Normal firing mode (tank) - a continuous burst of up to 150 rounds per barrel, then a break of 30 s (air cooling) and repeating the cycle until the ammunition load is used up.

During the tests, it was found that one ZSU "Yenisei" is superior in its effectiveness to a six-gun battery of 57-mm S-60 guns and a battery of four ZSU-57-2.

During tests, the ZSU "Yenisei" provided shooting in motion across the virgin soil at a speed of 20 - 25 km / h. When driving along a tank track at a training ground at a speed of 8 - 10 km / h, the accuracy of fire was 25% lower than from a standstill. The accuracy of the Angara cannon is 2-2.5 times higher than the S-68 cannon.

During the state tests, 6266 shots were fired from the Angara cannon. At the same time, only two delays and four breakdowns were noted, which amounted to 0.08% of delays and 0.06% of breakdowns from the number of shots fired, which is less than allowed for III. During the tests, the SDU (equipment for protection against passive interference) failed. The chassis also showed good maneuverability.

RPK "Baikal" functioned satisfactorily during the tests and showed the following results:

Target speed limit - up to 660 m/s at altitudes over 300 m and 415 m/s at altitudes of 100 - 300 m;

The average detection range of the MiG-17 aircraft in the 30 ° sector without target designation is 18 km (the maximum tracking range of the MiG-17 is 20 km);

The maximum target tracking speed vertically - 40 deg / s, horizontally - 60 deg / s. The time of transfer to combat readiness from the preliminary readiness mode is 10 - 15 s.

According to the data obtained during the tests, it was proposed to use the Yenisei to protect army anti-aircraft missile systems"Circle" and "Cube", since the zone of its effective firing blocked the dead zone of these air defense systems.

The Shilka, which was designed in parallel with the Yenisei, used the 2A7 assault rifle, which was a modification of the 2A14 assault rifle of the ZU-23 towed unit.

We remind the reader that in 1955 - 1959 several 23-mm towed installations were tested, but only the twin ZU-14 on a two-wheel drive, developed at the KBP under the leadership of N.M. Afanasyev and P.G. Yakushev, was adopted. The ZU-14 was officially put into service by Decree SM No. 313-25 of March 22, 1960 and was named ZU-23 (GRAU index - 2A13). She entered the airborne troops of the Soviet Army, was in service with the Warsaw Pact countries and many developing countries, and participated in many local wars and conflicts. However, the ZU-23 had significant drawbacks: it could not accompany tank and motorized rifle units

niya, and the accuracy of its fire was reduced due to manual aiming and the absence of the PKK.

When creating the 2A7 machine, a casing with liquid cooling elements, a pneumatic reloading mechanism and an electric trigger were introduced into the 2A14 design. When firing, the barrels were cooled by running water or antifreeze through the grooves on their outer surface. After a burst of up to 50 shots (per barrel), a break of 2 - 3 seconds was necessary, and after 120 - 150 shots - 10 - 15 seconds. After 3000 shots, the barrel had to be replaced. In the ZIPe, the installation was supposed to have 4 spare barrels. The quad installation of 2A7 assault rifles was called the Amur gun (the army designation is AZP-23, the GRAU index is 2A10).

During the state tests, 14,194 shots were fired from the Amur gun and 7 delays were received, that is, 0.05% (0.3% was allowed according to TTT). The number of breakdowns is also 7, or 0.05% (according to TTT, 0.2% was allowed). The power drives for pointing the gun worked quite smoothly, stably and reliably.

RPK "Tobol" as a whole also worked quite satisfactorily. The target - the MiG-17 aircraft - after receiving target designation by radiotelephone, was detected at a distance of 12.7 km during a sector search of 30 ° (according to TTT - 15 km). The range of automatic target tracking was 9 km for approach and 15 km for removal. The RPK worked on targets flying at speeds up to 200 m / s, but according to the test data, a calculation was made that proved that the limit of its work in terms of target speed was 450 m / s, that is, it met the TTT. The value of the RPK sector search was adjusted from 27° to 87°.

During sea trials on a dry dirt road, a speed of 50.2 km / h was reached. At the same time, the fuel supply was enough for 330 km and still remained for 2 hours of operation of the gas turbine engine.

ZSU-2E-4V on display at the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineer and Signal Corps in St. Petersburg. On the sides of the turret in front are boxes of spare parts and accessories, typical for vehicles of early production. On the right side of the tower at the back is a fan pocket. The PJ1C antenna is rotated 180°.

Since the Shilka was intended to replace the 14.5-mm ZPU-4 quad anti-aircraft machine guns and 37-mm 61-K guns mod. 1939, based on the test results, the probability of hitting a target of the F-86 fighter type flying at an altitude of 1000 m was calculated from these artillery systems (see table).

After the completion of the tests of Shilka and Yenisei, the state commission reviewed the comparative characteristics of both ZSU and issued a conclusion on them:

1) "Shilka" and "Yenisei" are equipped with a radar system and provide shooting day and night in any weather; 2) the weight of the Yenisei is 28 tons, which is unacceptable for arming motorized rifle units and airborne forces; 3) when firing at MiG-17 and Il-28 aircraft at an altitude of 200 and 500 m, the Shilka is 2 and 1.5 times more effective than the Yenisei, respectively; 4) "Yenisei" is intended for air defense of tank regiments and tank divisions for the following reasons: - tank units and formations operate mainly in isolation from the main group of troops. "Yenisei" provides escort for tanks at all stages of the battle, provides effective fire at altitudes up to 3000 m and ranges up to 4500 m. The use of this installation virtually eliminates accurate bombing of tanks, which "Shilka" cannot provide; - there are quite powerful

high-explosive fragmentation and armor-piercing shells. "Yenisei" can conduct more effective self-defense shooting at ground targets when following tank troops in combat formations; 5) unification of new ZSU with products that are in mass production: - according to Shilka - a 23-mm machine gun and shots for it are in mass production. Tracked base SU-85 is manufactured at MMZ; - according to the "Yenisei" - the RPK is unified in terms of modules with the "Krug" system, in terms of the tracked base - with the SU-100P, for the production of which 2 - 3 plants are preparing.

Both in the above excerpts from the conclusion of the commission, and in other documents, there is no clear justification for the priority of Shilka over Yenisei. Even their prices were comparable.

The commission recommended that both ZSUs be adopted. But by decision of the Council of Ministers of September 5, 1962 N ° 925-401, only the Shilka was adopted, and on September 20 of the same year, the GKOT order to stop work on the Yenisei was followed. An indirect proof of the delicacy of the situation was the fact that two days after the closure of work on the Yenisei, an order from the State Committee for Combating the State Committee for the same bonuses for organizations working on both machines appeared.

The Tula Machine-Building Plant was supposed to start mass production of Amur guns for Shilka at the beginning of 1963. However, both the guns and the vehicle were largely unfinished. A significant design defect was the unreliable withdrawal of spent cartridges, which accumulated in the cartridge cases and jammed the machine. There were also defects in the barrel cooling system, in the vertical guidance mechanism, etc.

As a result, Shilka went into mass production only in 1964. This year it was planned to produce 40 cars, but this was not possible. Nevertheless, mass production of the ZSU-23-4 was later launched. In the late 60s, their average annual output was about 300 cars.

Housing ZSU-23-4:

1 - tool box cover, 2 - headlight guard, 3 - hatch cover over the fuel tank filler neck, 4.30 - air intakes, 5.7 - manhole covers for access to the converter, 6 - air outlet from the converter, 8 - bottom side plate, 9 - top side sheet, 10 - manhole cover for access to the generator, 11 - air outlet from the generator, 12 - air inlet to the GTE filters, 13 - manhole cover for access to the GTE, 14 - manhole cover for maintenance of the gas turbine engine, 15 - power roof sheet compartments, 16 - branch pipe for exhausting gases from the gas turbine engine, 17 - upper stern sheet, 18,21 - cheeks of the ejector guard frame, 19 - manhole cover over the filler neck of the rear fuel tank, 20 - air intake with shutters, 22 - ejector air intake cover, 23 - manhole cover over the engine, 24 - manhole cover over the oil tank filler neck, 25 - manhole cover over the air cleaner, 26 - support ring for attaching the turret shoulder strap, 27 - front roof sheet, 28 - ventilation air intake of the control compartment, 29 - balancer cover, 31 - balancer (spring mechanism), 32 - driver's observation device cap, 33 - hatch cover above the windshield, 34 - mudguard, 35 - tow hook, 36 - driver's hatch cover, 37 - upper front sheet , 38 - observation device, 39 - hatch cover over the filler neck of the glass washer tank, 40 - hatch cover for mounting the fuel tank.

In the welded hull of the GM-575 tracked vehicle, there is a control compartment - in the bow, a combat compartment - in the middle and a power compartment - in the stern. Between them there were partitions, which served as the front and rear supports of the tower.

The ZSU is equipped with an 8D6 type diesel engine, which was given the designation V-6R in the configuration for installation on the GM-575 by the manufacturer. 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, non-compressor liquid-cooled diesel engine. Maximum power at 2000 rpm - 280 hp The working volume of the cylinders is 19.1 liters, the compression ratio is 15.0.

The GM-575 has two welded aluminum alloy fuel tanks - the front one for 405 liters and the rear one for 110 liters. The first is located in a separate compartment of the bow of the hull.

The power transmission is mechanical, with a step change in gear ratios, located in the stern. The main friction clutch is multi-disc, dry friction. The main clutch control drive is mechanical, from the pedal in the driver's seat. The gearbox is mechanical, three-way, five-speed, with synchronizers in II, III, IV and V gears.

Swing mechanisms are planetary, two-stage, with locking clutches. Final drives are single-stage, with cylindrical gears.

The caterpillar mover of the machine consists of two driving wheels, two guide wheels with a caterpillar tension mechanism, two caterpillar chains and twelve road wheels.

The caterpillar chain is metal, with lantern gearing, with closed hinges, from 93 steel tracks interconnected by steel pins. Track width 382 mm, track pitch 128 mm.

Drive wheels are welded, with removable rims, rear arrangement. The guide wheels are single, with metal rims. Track rollers are welded, single, with rubberized rims.

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

The tower is a welded structure with a shoulder strap diameter of 1840 mm. It is fixed on the bed with front frontal sheets, on the left and right walls of which the upper and lower cradles of the gun are attached. When the swinging part of the gun is given an elevation angle, the frame embrasure 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 sheet: one, with a bolted cover, serves for mounting the tower equipment, the other two are closed with a visor and are air inlets for ventilation of the units and the blower of the PAZ system. On the left side of the tower, a casing is welded on the outside, designed to remove steam from the cooling system of the gun barrels. Two hatches are provided in the aft sheet of the tower, designed to service the equipment.

ZSU-23-4M manufactured in 1969. In the top view, the covers of the ammunition compartments are conventionally not shown.

The turret is equipped with a 23-mm AEP-23 Amur quadruple gun. She, along with the tower, was assigned the index 2A10, the automatic guns - 2A7, and the power drives - 2E2. The operation of gun automation is based on the removal of powder gases through the side

hole in the wall of the barrel. The barrel consists of a pipe, casings of the cooling system, a gas chamber and a flame arrester. The gate is wedge, with the lowering of the wedge down. The length of the machine 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.

The supply of cartridges is lateral, the chambering is direct, directly from the link with a skewed cartridge. The right machines have the right tape feed, the left ones have the left one. The tape is fed into the receiving windows of the machines from the cartridge box. For this, the energy of powder gases is used, which actuates the feed mechanism through the bolt carrier, and partly the energy of the recoil of automata. The gun is equipped with two boxes of 1000 rounds (of which 480 are on the upper machine gun, and 520 on the lower one) 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 automatic machines are mounted on each cradle. Two cradles (upper and lower) are mounted on the bed one above the other at a distance of 320 mm from each other in a horizontal position, the lower one is advanced forward by 320 mm in relation to the upper one. The parallelism of the trunks is ensured by a parallelogram link connecting both cradles. Two toothed sectors are attached to the bottom, which engage with the gears of the input shaft of the vertical guidance gearbox. The Amur gun is placed on a base placed on a ball shoulder strap. The base consists of upper and lower boxes. An armored tower is attached to the end of the upper box. Inside the base there are two longitudinal beams that serve as a support for the bed. Both cradles with machine guns attached to them swing on the trunnions in the bed bearings.

The gun's ammunition load includes 23 mm BZT and OFZT rounds. Armor-piercing projectiles BZT weighing 190 g do not have a fuse and explosive, but contain only an incendiary agent for tracing. OFZT fragmentation shells weighing 188.5 g have a head fuse MG-25. The propellant charge for both shells is the same - 77 g of gunpowder brand 5/7 CFL. Cartridge weight 450 g. Steel sleeve, disposable. The ballistic data of both projectiles are the same - muzzle velocity 980 m/s, tabular ceiling 1500 m, tabular range 2000 m. The feed of the automatic machines is tape, for 50 rounds. Four OFZT cartridges alternate in the tape - one BZT cartridge, etc.

Guidance and stabilization of the AEP-23 gun is carried out by 2E2 guidance actuators. The 2E2 system used URS (Jenny clutch): for horizontal guidance - URS No. 5, and for vertical guidance - URS No. 2.5. Both are powered by a common electric motor DSO-20 with a power of 6 kW.

Depending on the external conditions and the state of the equipment, anti-aircraft targets are fired in the following modes.

ZSU-2E-4V1. Front view. On the frontal cheekbones of the tower there are characteristic casings-enclosures of the ventilation system. Machine from the exposition of the Central Museum of the Armed Forces in Moscow.

23mm cartridges:

1 - projectile, 2 - sleeve, 3 - gunpowder, 4 - primer-igniter No. 3, 5 - decopper (for some cartridges with a BZT projectile); a - muzzle, b - slope, c - body, d - shoulder, d - annular groove, e - flange, w - bottom, i - groove.

ZSU-2E-4V1 in the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Kyiv. The radar column is stowed in the stowed position. On the upper aft hull sheet on the left is a manhole cover over the PPO cylinders, in the middle is a tool box cover, on the right is a gas exhaust pipe from the gas turbine engine, closed with a plug.

The first (main) mode is auto-tracking, the angular coordinates and range are determined by the radar, which automatically tracks the target along them, outputting data to the computing device (analogue computer) to generate predicted coordinates. The opening of fire is carried out by the signal “Data available” on the calculating instrument. RPK automatic G ki generates full pointing angles, taking into account the pitching and yaw of the ZSU and issues them to the guidance drives, and the latter automatically direct the gun to the pre-empted point. Shooting is carried out by the commander or search operator - gunner.

The second mode - the angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range - from the radar.

The angular current coordinates of the target are fed into the calculating device from the sighting device, which is induced by the search operator - the gunner - semi-automatically, and the range values ​​are received 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 system for guiding the antenna by angular coordinates, or, in the event of a malfunction in the autotracking channel, by the angular coordinates of the radar. Otherwise, the complex works the same way as in the auto-tracking mode.

The third mode - advanced coordinates are generated according to the "remembered" values ​​​​of the current coordinates X, Y, H and the components of the target's speed V x› V y and V H, based on the hypothesis of uniform rectilinear motion of the target in any plane. The mode is used when there is a threat of loss of the radar target in the process of automatic tracking due to interference or malfunctions.

The fourth mode is shooting with the help of a backup sight, guidance is performed in semi-automatic mode. The lead is introduced by the search operator - the gunner on the foreshortening rings of the backup sight. This mode is used in case of failure of the radar, computer and stabilization systems.

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

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

Rotating part:

1 - parallelogram rod, 2, 13 - cartridge boxes (left and right), 3, 12 - trays (left and right), 4, 11 - winches (left and right), 5, 10 - hoses of the automatic barrel cooling system, 6 - plug, 7 - cable for dropping plugs, 8 - lower automatic guns, 9 - upper automatic guns, 14 - range operator seat, 15 - vertical guidance flywheel, 16 - turret stopper, 17 - supercharger of the PAZ system, 18 - TDP device, 19 - PAZ control panel, 20 - search operator's seat - gunner, 21 - antenna input, 22 - commander's seat, 23 - control panel and direction indicator of orientation equipment, 24 - horizontal guidance flywheel, 25 - left armor shield, 26 - coolant tank , 27 - antenna posts, 28 - antenna column, 29 - commander's console, 30 - fire handle, 31 - inclined roller, 32, 33 - trunnions of gun cradles, 34 - gun bed, 35 - manual vertical guidance gearbox, 36 - block electric motor cooling unit, 37 - cooling unit reducer, 38 - cooling unit pump deniya, 39 - switchboard, 40 - rotating contact device, 41 - trigger pedal, 42 - lower box, 43 - ball shoulder strap of the tower, 44 - control handles, 45 - upper box, 46 - radar antenna, 47 - replenishment tank, 48 - gun stopper handle, 49 - handle for switching modes "flywheel - power" of the vertical guidance gearbox, 50 - calculating device, 51 - frequency meter, 52 - device N ° 1 TPU, 53, 56 - sighting device heads (left and right) , 54 - sighting device, 55, 57 - cabinets with control panels, 58 - cabinet with blocks, 59 - fuse box, 60 - radar antenna control unit, 61 - gyroazimuth horizon, 62 - heating control panel.

sighting device:

1 - "grid" handle, 2 - eyepiece, 3 - "reticle-doubler" switching handle.

The disadvantage of the radar is a 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. Simply put, constant signals from terrain objects and passive interference are not taken into account, and signals from moving targets enter the PKK. The radar is controlled by the search operator and the range operator.

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

The main elements of the power supply system include:

Gas turbine engine of the power supply system type DG4M-1,

designed to rotate the DC generator;

A set of DC generator PGS2-14A with equipment designed to supply DC consumers with a stabilized voltage of 55 V and 27.5 V;

Set of converter unit BP-III with a block of contactors BK-III, designed to convert direct current into alternating three-phase current;

Four 12-ST-70M batteries designed to compensate for peak overloads of the DC generator, to power the starters of the DG4M-1 engine and the V-6R engine of the machine, as well as to power appliances and electrical consumers when the generator is not running.

The gas turbine engine DG4M-1, the gearbox of the power supply system and the generator PGS2-14A are connected to each other into a single power unit, which is installed in the power compartment of the machine in the right rear niche and is rigidly fixed at four points. The rated power of the DG4M-1 engine is 70 hp. at 6000 rpm. Specific fuel consumption up to 1050 g/hp in hour. The maximum starting time of the DG4M-1 engine with the acceptance of the rated load, including cold cranking, is 2 min. The dry weight of the DG4M-1 engine is 130 kg.

The ZSU-23-4 is equipped with a short-wave FM radio transceiver R-123. The radius of its action on medium-rough terrain with the noise suppressor turned off and the absence of interference is up to 23 km, and with the noise suppressor turned on - up to 13 km.

For internal communication, a tank intercom R-124 for 4 subscribers is used. ZSU-23-4 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 moves, the duration of the operation 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 the control compartment. For this, a central blower with inertial air separation is used.

Layout of components and assemblies in the GM-575 case:

1 - centrifuge for cleaning oil in the engine, 2 - air cleaner, 3 - oil tank, 4 - lever for disengaging the BOT gearbox, 5 - driver's instrument panel, 6 - driver's seat, 7, 13 - control levers, 8 - pedal main clutch, 9 - lever-comb of the brake pedal stopper, 10 - gear lever, 11 - brake pedal, 12 - fuel supply pedal, 14 - batteries, 15 - gas exhaust fan, 16 - front fuel tank, 17 - SEP converter , 18 - rear fuel tank, 19 - BOT generator, 20 - BOT gearbox, 21 - gas turbine engine, 22 - air filter, 23 - right axle shaft, 24 - power transmission gearbox, 25 - main clutch, 26 - rear fuel tank filler neck, 27 - gearbox, 28 - connecting shaft, 29 - traction motor, 30 - MAF oil filter, 31 - left axle shaft, 32 - left planetary mechanism, 33 - UAPPO cylinders, 34 - starting heater, 35 - expansion tank of the engine cooling system; TD - temperature sensors UAPPO (the location of the temperature sensors is shown conditionally).

ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" began to enter the army in 1965 and by the beginning of the 70s completely replaced the ZSU-57-2. Initially, the tank regiment in the state had a "shilok" division, which consisted of two batteries of four vehicles . In the late 60s, it often happened that in the division one battery had a ZSU-23-4 and one battery had a ZSU-57-2. Later, motorized rifle and tank regiments received a typical anti-aircraft battery, which consisted of two platoons. One platoon had four Shilka ZSUs, and the other had four Strela 1 self-propelled air defense systems (then Strela-10 air defense systems).

The operation of "Shilka" showed that the RPK-2 works well in the conditions of the use of passive interference. There was practically no active interference with Shilka during our exercises, since there were no means of radio countermeasures on its operating frequencies, at least in the 70s. Significant shortcomings of the PKK, which often needed to be reconfigured, were also revealed. The instability of the electrical parameters of the circuits was noted. The PKK could take the target for auto tracking no closer than 7 - 8 km from the ZSU. At shorter distances, it was difficult to do this because of the high angular velocity of the target. When switching from detection mode to auto-tracking mode, the target was sometimes lost.

The DG4M-1 gas turbine engines constantly malfunctioned, and the onboard network generator worked mainly from the main engine. In turn, the systematic operation of the diesel engine in the parking lot at low speeds led to its pitching.

In the second half of the 60s, the ZSU-23-4 underwent two small upgrades, the main purpose of which was to increase the reliability of various components and assemblies, primarily the RPK. The machines of the first modernization received the index ZSU-23-4V, and the second - ZSU-2E-4V1. The main tactical and technical characteristics of self-propelled guns remained unchanged.

"Shilki" cover the tank column on the march, September 1973.

Cannon "Amur". On the left - with welded coolant outlet pipes (2A10), on the right - with flexible hoses (2A10M).

Manhole cover and driver's observation devices. Above the hatch, on the roof of the hull - a periscope observation device 54-36-5sb BM, in the right zygomatic sheet - a direct vision device (glass block) B-1. The second device B-1 is installed in the left zygomatic sheet. All driver's observation devices are equipped with windshield wipers. To drive a car at night, instead of the 54-36-5sb BM device, a TVN-2 night vision device is installed.

In October 1967, the Council of Ministers issued a resolution on a more serious modernization of the Shilka. The most important part of it was the reworking 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. In the process of modernization, the pneumatic charging of 2A7 automata was replaced by pyrocharging, which made it possible to eliminate the unreliable compressor and a number of other components from the design. The welded coolant outlet tube was replaced with a flexible pipe - this increased the barrel resource from 3500 to 4500 shots. In 1973, the upgraded ZSU-23-4M was put into service along with the 2A7M assault rifle and the 2A10M gun. ZSU-23-4M received the designation "Biryusa", but in the army it was still called "Shilka".

After the next upgrade, the installation received the ZSU-23-4MZ index (3 - interrogator). For the first time, the identification equipment “friend or foe” was installed on it. Later, during the repair, all ZSU-23-4M were brought up to the level of ZSU-2E-4MZ. Production of the ZSU-23-4ME was discontinued in 1982.

Shilka 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), as well as in the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991.

There are different points of view about the effectiveness of the "Shilka" in the fight against air targets. So, during the 1973 war, the "shilki" accounted for about 10% of all losses of Israeli aircraft (the rest were distributed between air defense systems and fighter aircraft). However, the captured pilots showed that the "shilki" literally created a sea of ​​​​fire and the pilots instinctively left the zone of fire of the ZSU and fell into the zone of operation of the air defense system. During Operation Desert Storm, the pilots of the multinational forces tried not to operate unnecessarily at altitudes of less than 1300 m, fearing the fire of "shilok".

"Shilki" were highly valued in Afghanistan by our officers and soldiers. There is a column along the road, and suddenly there is fire from an ambush, try to organize a defense, all the cars have already been shot. Salvation is one - "Shilka". A long line at the enemy, and a sea of ​​\u200b\u200bfire on his position. Dushmans called our self-propelled unit "shaitan-arba". They determined the beginning of its work immediately and immediately began to depart. Thousands of Soviet soldiers "Shilka" saved the life.

ZSU-2E-4M. With a general identity of the design with the ZSU-2E-4V1, the large cap of the ventilation system on the roof of the tower on the right and the cover of the Amur gun embrasure attract attention.

Radar ZSU-2E-4M. In the foreground, in the center - caps covering the heads of the sighting device. In the combat position, the caps recline.

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

An interesting touch. The columns escorted by the Shilka were rarely attacked not only in the mountains, but also near settlements. The ZSU was dangerous for the manpower hidden behind the adobe duvaps - the projectile fuse worked when it hit the wall. Effectively "Shilka" also hit lightly armored targets - armored personnel carriers, vehicles ...

When adopting the Shilka, both the military and representatives of the military-industrial complex understood that the 23-mm Amur gun was too weak. This applied both to the short slant range, and to the ceiling, and to the weakness of the high-explosive action of the projectile. The Americans added fuel to the fire by advertising the new A-10 attack aircraft, which was allegedly invulnerable to 23-mm Shilka shells. As a result, almost the next day after the adoption of the ZSU-23-4, all high authorities began talking about its modernization in terms of increasing firepower and, first of all, increasing the effective firing ceiling and the destructive effect of the projectile.

Since the autumn of 1962, several draft designs for installing 30-mm machine guns on the Shilka have been worked out. Among them, a 30-mm NN-30 revolver-type assault rifle designed by OKB-16, used in the AK-230 ship installation, a 30-mm AO-18 six-barreled assault rifle from AK-630 ship installations, and a 30-mm AO-17 double-barreled assault rifle designed by KBP . In addition, the 57-mm double-barreled AO-16 assault rifle, specially designed at the Design Bureau for self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, was tested.

ZSU-23-4ME. Two antenna arrays of the interrogator of the “friend or foe” system are visible on the protective casing-radome of the radar.

Data of 30 mm machine guns

"Shilki" ZSU-2E-4M of the Syrian army in Beirut, 1987.

On March 26, 1963, a technical council was held in Mytishchi near Moscow under the leadership of N.A. Astrov. On it, it was decided to increase the caliber of the ZSU from 23 to 30 mm. This doubled (from 1000 to 2000 m) increased the zone of 50% probability of hitting the target and increased the firing range from 2500 to 4000 m. , increased by 1.5 times.

When comparing 30-mm machine guns, it was indicated that the extraction of cartridge cases from the HH-30 goes back down, and the removal of cartridge cases from the Shilka turret goes forward to the side, which will require significant alterations in the ZSU. When comparing the AO-17 and AO-18, which had the same ballistics, the advantage of the first was noted, which required less modification of individual components, provided easier operating conditions for the drives, while maintaining the continuity of the design to a greater extent, including the turret ring, horizontal gearbox, guidance , hydraulic drive, etc. The adoption of the AO-47 simplified the problem of cartridge case retraction, reloading, etc. In addition, it had a greater angle of depression than the AO-18.

In the end, for the ZSU, they adopted the 30-mm double-barreled AO-17 assault rifle. Its modified version received the GRAU 2A38 index and was put into serial production at the Tula Machine-Building Plant No. 535 in the early 80s.

The work of automation 2A38 is based on the removal of powder gases from the bore. There is a cartridge in one of the barrels before firing. The impact mechanism is cocked and held by an electric sear. The movable parts of the second barrel are in the rear position, and the cartridge is in the bolt legs. The movable parts of both barrels are kinematically connected through a connecting lever. Such a connection makes it possible to do without return springs, since the working stroke of the moving parts of the other barrel and the energy of gases are used to return the moving parts of one barrel to the forward position. The gun is powered by one cartridge belt. Its supply is carried out by a feed asterisk, kinematically connected with the sliders. The common parts of both barrels were the casing, the feed mechanism, the reload mechanism, the firing mechanism and the shock absorber.

Maneuvers of the Soviet Army. ZSU-2E-4V1 as part of a column of armored vehicles force a water barrier along a pontoon bridge.

Anti-aircraft missile and artillery regimental battery in training sessions. 14th Army, Transnistria, April 1995. The picture clearly shows the staffing of the battery - two ZSU-23-4M and two Strela-10 SZRK.

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

ZSU-23-4 Shilka is designed to directly cover ground troops, destroy 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 , with a short stop and in motion.

The welded hull of the TM-575 tracked vehicle is divided into three control compartments in the bow, combat in the middle and power in the stern. Between them there were partitions, which served as the front and rear supports of the tower. The tower is a welded structure with a shoulder strap diameter of 1840 mm. It is fixed on the bed with front frontal sheets, on the left and right walls of which the upper and lower cradles of the gun are attached. When the swinging part of the gun is given an elevation angle, the frame embrasure 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 sheet, one with a bolted cover is used for mounting the tower equipment, the other two are closed with a visor and are air vents for ventilation of the units and superchargers of the PAZ system. On the left side of the tower, a casing is welded on the outside, designed to remove steam from the cooling system of the gun barrels. Two hatches are provided in the aft sheet of the tower, designed to service the equipment.

The turret is equipped with a 23-mm AZP-23 "Amur" quadruple cannon with a rate of fire of 11 rounds per second each. She, along with the tower, was assigned the index 2A10, the automatic guns - 2A7, and the power drives - 2E2. The operation of gun automation is based on the removal of powder gases through a side hole in the barrel wall. The barrel consists of a pipe, casings of the cooling system, a gas chamber and a flame arrester. The gate is wedge, with the lowering of the wedge down. The length of the machine 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 both all four guns, and a pair or any of the four. The gun barrels and the antenna of the radar-instrument complex are fully stabilized, thanks to which the installation can conduct effective fire on the move.

The supply of cartridges is lateral, the chambering is direct, directly from the link with a skewed cartridge. The right machines have the right tape feed, the left ones have the left one. The tape is fed into the receiving windows of the machines from the cartridge box. For this, the energy of powder gases is used, which actuates the feed mechanism through the bolt carrier, and partly the energy of the recoil of automata. The gun is equipped with two boxes of 1000 rounds (of which 480 are on the upper machine, and 520 on the lower ones) 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 automatic machines are mounted on each cradle. Two cradles (upper and lower) are mounted on the bed one above the other at a distance of 320 mm from each other in a horizontal position, the lower one is advanced forward by 320 mm in relation to the upper one. The parallelism of the trunks is provided by a parallelogram link connecting both cradles.

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

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

Depending on the external conditions and the state of the equipment, anti-aircraft targets are fired in four modes. The first (main) is the auto-tracking mode, the angular coordinates and range are determined by the radar, which automatically tracks the target along them, issuing data to the calculating device (analogue computer) to generate advanced coordinates. The opening of fire is carried out by the signal "There is data" on the calculating device. The RPK automatically generates full pointing angles, taking into account the pitching and yaw of the ZSU, and issues them to the guidance drives, and the latter automatically direct the gun to the pre-empted point. Shooting is carried out by the commander or search operator - gunner.

The second mode - the 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 induced by the search operator - the gunner - 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 antenna guidance system in terms of angular coordinates, or, in the event of a malfunction in the autotracking channel, in terms of the angular coordinates of the radar. Otherwise, the complex works the same way as in the auto-tracking mode.

The third mode - advanced coordinates are generated according to the "memorized" values ​​of the current coordinates X, Y. H and the components of the target's speed, based on the hypothesis of a uniform rectilinear movement of the target in any plane. The mode is used when there is a threat of loss of the radar target in the process of automatic tracking due to interference or malfunctions.

The fourth mode is shooting with the help of a backup sight, guidance is performed in semi-automatic mode. The lead is introduced by the search operator - the gunner on the foreshortening rings of the backup sight. This mode is used in case of failure of the radar, computer and stabilization systems.

The radar and instrument complex is designed to control the fire of the AZP-23 gun and is located in the instrument compartment of the turret. It consists of a radar station, a calculating device, blocks and elements of systems for stabilizing the line of sight and the line of fire, 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) the angular coordinates and range are automatically tracked, b) the angular coordinates come from the sighting device, and the range - from the radar.

The radar operates in the range of 1-1.5 cm waves. The range was chosen for a number of reasons. Such stations have antennas with small weight and size characteristics. Radars in the 1-1.5 cm wavelength range are less susceptible to intentional enemy interference, since the ability to operate in a wide frequency band makes it possible to increase the noise immunity and processing speed of received information by using broadband frequency modulation and signal coding. By increasing the Doppler frequency shifts of the 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. by this technology.

The disadvantage of the radar is a 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 ZSU-23-4 Shilka 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 circuits are sent to the RPK. The radar is controlled by the search operator and the range operator.

The ZSU-23-4 Shilka was equipped with an 8D6 type diesel engine, which was given the designation V-6R by the manufacturer in the configuration 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.

On the tracked chassis GM-575, two welded fuel tanks made of aluminum alloy are installed: front for 405 liters and rear for 110 liters. The first is located in a separate compartment of the bow of the hull.

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

The undercarriage of the machine consists of two driving wheels, two guide wheels with a track tensioning mechanism, two track chains and twelve support rollers. Driving wheels are welded, with removable rims, rear arrangement. The guide wheels are single with metal arches. Track rollers are welded, single, with rubberized rims. The caterpillar chain is metal, with lantern gearing, with closed hinges, from 93 steel tracks interconnected by steel pins. Track width 362 mm, track pitch 128 mm.

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

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

In the ZSU-23-4 Shilka, a short-wave transceiver telephone with frequency modulation radio station R-123 is installed. The radius of its action on medium-rough terrain with the noise suppressor turned off and the absence of interference is up to 23 km, and with the noise suppressor turned on - up to 13 km. For internal communication, a P-124 tank intercom 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 moves, the duration 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 the control compartment. For this, a central supercharger with inertial air segtaration was used.

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

ZSU-23-4 Shilka began to enter the troops in 1965 and by the beginning of the 70s they completely replaced the ZSU-57-2. Initially, in the state of the tank regiment there was a division "Shilok", which consisted of two batteries of four vehicles. In the late 60s, it often happened that in the division one battery had a ZSU-23-4 and one battery had a ZSU-57-2. Later, motorized rifle and tank regiments received a typical anti-aircraft battery, which consisted of two platoons. One platoon had four Shilka ZSUs, and the other - four Strela-1 self-propelled air defense systems (then Strela-10 air defense systems).

The operation of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka showed that the RPK-2 works well in the conditions of the use of passive interference. There was practically no active interference with the Shilka during our exercises, since there were no means of radio countermeasures on its operating frequencies, at least in the 70s. Significant shortcomings of the PKK, which often needed to be reconfigured, were also revealed. The instability of the electrical parameters of the circuits was noted. The PKK 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 upgrades, the main purpose of which was to increase the reliability of various components and assemblies, primarily the RPK. The machines 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, the Council of Ministers issued a resolution on a more serious modernization of the ZSU-23-4 Shilka. The most important part of it was the reworking 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. In the process of modernization, the pneumatic charging of the 2A7 assault rifles was replaced by a pyro-charging, which made it possible to exclude the unreliable compressor and a number of other components from the design. The welded coolant outlet tube was replaced with a flexible pipe - this increased the barrel resource from 3500 to 4500 shots. In 1973, the upgraded ZSU-23-4M was put into service along with the 2A7M assault rifle and the 2A10M gun. ZSU-23-4M received the designation "Biryusa", but in the army units it was still called "Shilka".

After the next upgrade, anti-aircraft self-propelled unit semi-chip index ZSU-23-4M3 (3 - interrogator). For the first time, the identification equipment "friend or foe" was installed on it. Later, during the repair, all ZSU-23-4M were brought up to the level of ZSU-23-4M3. Production of the ZSU-23-4M3 ceased in 1982.

There are different points of view on the behavior of the effectiveness of the "Shilka" in the fight against air targets. So, during the 1973 war, Shilki accounted for about 10% of all losses of Israeli aircraft (the rest were distributed between air defense systems and fighter aircraft). However, the captured pilots showed that the Shilki literally created a sea of ​​​​fire and the pilots instinctively left the zone of fire of the ZSU and fell into the zone of operation of the air defense system. During Operation Desert Storm, the pilots of the multinational forces tried not to operate at altitudes of less than 1,300 meters unnecessarily, fearing fire from 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 - as unnecessary, the radio instrument complex was dismantled on it, due to which it was possible to increase the ammunition load from 2000 to 4000 rounds. The car was also equipped with a night sight.

"Shilka" was widely exported to the countries of the Warsaw Pact, the Middle East and other regions. They took an active part in the Arab-Israeli wars, the Iraqi-Iranian war (on both sides), as well as in the war in the Persian Gulf in 1991.

Serial production of Shilok was completed in 1983. Currently, ZSU of this type are in service with 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
Crew, pers. four
Case length, mm 6535
Hull width, mm 3125
Height, mm 2500
Clearance, mm 400
Type of armor rolled steel bulletproof (9-15mm)
Armament
Caliber and brand of gun 4? 23 mm AZP-23 "Amur"
Gun type rifled automatic
Barrel length, calibers 82
Gun ammunition 2000
Angles VN, deg. ?4…+85
Sights optical sight, radar RPK-2
Engine type in-line
6-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel
Engine power, l. With. 280
Highway speed, km/h 50
Cross-country speed, km/h 25-30
Power reserve on the highway, km 450
Power reserve over rough terrain, km 300
Specific power, l. s./t 14.7
Suspension type individual torsion bar
Climbability, deg. thirty
Passable wall, m 0.7
Crossable ditch, m 2.5
Crossable ford, m 1.0