ZU-23-2

The ZU-23, better known as ZU-23-2, is a towed Soviet short-range air defense cannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.

Description and history

ZU-23-2 was developed in late 1950s and entered service with the Soviet Army in 1960. It mounts two 2A14 23 mm autocannons on a small trailer which can be converted into a stationary mount for firing the guns. The cannon can be prepared for firing from the march position in 30 seconds and in emergency can be fired from traveling position. The weapon is aimed and fired manually, with the help of a ZAP-23 optical-mechanical sight which uses manually entered target data to provide some automatic aiming. It also has a straight-tube telescope for use against ground targets such as troops and lightly armoured vehicles.

The cannon carriage is based on the earlier ZPU-2, which mounted two 14.5 mm machine guns. ZU-23-2 can be identified by different placement of the ammunition boxes (at right angles to the gun carriage) and by muzzle flash suppressors. In another similarity to the ZPU series, single-barrel and four-barrel versions of the ZU-23 were developed. However, these versions never entered service.

Development of this weapon into a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) lead to the ZSU-23-4 Shilka. ZU-23-2 is often mounted on trucks for use in both anti-aircraft and fire support roles. It can also be mounted on the roof of the BTR-D airborne vehicle.

Cheap, easy to operate and reasonably effective, the ZU-23-2 is still used by the Russian Army and by more than 20 other armies. The Finnish military nickname for the weapon is Sergei. There are also non-ex-Soviet produced versions of the weapon. One example is the Polish ZUR-23-2TG, which has improved sights and is armed with "Grom" missiles in addition to the autocannons. Another is the Finnish 23 ItK 95, which is often vehicle mounted, like a technical.

Variants

ZU-23 - Original Soviet variant.
ZU-23M - Upgraded Soviet variant. Has new targeting system (which includes laser rangefinder, television channel, optical mechanic device, can be reinforced with thermo location channel and a television system for usage at night) and electromechanic turn system.
ZU-23-2S JOD - Polish version additionally armed with "Strela-2M" missiles (picture).
ZU-23-2M - Polish naval version (picture).
ZUR-23-2TG - Polish version additionally armed with "Grom" missiles (pictures).
23 ItK 95 - Finnish upgrade (picture).
Type 85 Chinese built version of the ZU-23-2 with Twin-23mm guns (picture).
Type 87 Chinese upgraded version with Twin-25mm guns (picture).

General characteristics

Overall dimensions in firing position

Length: 4.57 m (15 ft)
Width: 2.88 m (9.44 ft)
Height: 1.22 m (4 ft)

Weight: 0.95 tonnes (2,094 lbs)
Armament: two 2A14 Afanasyev-Yakushev 23x115mm (.90 in) autocannons
Barrel length: 2 m (6.5 ft)/ 87.3 calibers
Muzzle velocity: 970 m/s (3,182 fps)
Projectile weight: 178 g (6.27 oz)
Rate of fire

Cyclic: 2,000 rounds per minute
Practical: 400 rounds per minute

Effective range: 2-2.5 km (1.24-1.55 mi)
Effective altitude: 1,500-2,000 m (4,921-6,562 ft)
Ammunition

BZT Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracer (API-T) rounds
OFZ High Explosive Incendiary Tracer (HEI-T) rounds

Crew: 6

Operators

- 5000
- 60
- 19
- 128
- Type 85, Type 87
- 8
- 220 as Nile and Sinai SP AA Systems and 350 upgraded with radar guidance ZU-23-2
- 98
- 10
- 1100
- 24
- 200
- 523
- 16
- 800
- until 2003, current situation unknown
- 2
- 450
- 160
- 150
- 12
- 20
- 20
- 10
- 30
- 408
- 40
- 5
- 200
- 5