Air defense / Anti-aircraft guns / ZU-23
ZU-23
General Facts
- TYPE
Towed anti-aircraft gun - ORIGIN
USSR - NICKNAMES
Type 80 (Chinese production model)
Sergei (Finnish nickname)
SH-23M (Egyptian production model)
2A13 (industrial index)
ZSU-23-2 (uncorrect nickname) - DESIGNED
1954 - 1960 - DESIGNER
KBP - PRODUCTION
1960 - present (ZU-23)
1985 - ? (ZUR-23-2S) - PRODUCERS
Bulgaria - Arsenal JSC
China
Egypt
Iran - Aerospace Industries Organization
Poland - ZM Tarnow
Russia
USSR - QUANTITY
Unknown - UNIT COST
Unknown - CHARACTERISTICS
Limited size
Large volume of fire
Easy to operate
Low cost system
Manual traverse and elevation
Limited engagement radius
Introduction
The ZU-23 is a towed 23mm twin barrel light anti-aircraft gun. It is the most widely employed anti-aircraft gun in the world. The design took place in the Soviet Union in the mid 1950's and it was accepted for service in the early 1960's. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka, Russian for anti-aircraft mount. It is also referred to as the ZU-23-2. The ZU-23 is a small and simple weapon that provides a high volume of fire. For that reason it remains popular even though its usefulness against ground targets has reduced over time.
Layout
The design of the ZU-23 is based on the earlier ZPU-2 anti-aircraft gun, from which it can be distinct by the positioning of the ammunition boxes and different armament. Instead of the two 14.5mm KPV autocannon on the ZPU-2 two 23mm 2A14 autocannon. In the firing position the two wheels are raised and the firing platform rests on three outriggers. An optical-mechanical sight aids in aiming. The ZU-23 is manually operated by two men that are seated on the weapon.
Firepower
The ZU-23 is fitted with two 2A14 autocannon firing the 23x152mm round. Each 2A14 is fed by a 50 round belt. The cyclic rate of fire is 2.000 rpm, but short burst must be fired to allow the barrels to cool down. The maximum effective range against air targets is 2.5 km. Ground targets, including lightly armored vehicles, can be engaged up to 2 km.
Mobility
Normally the ZU-23 is towed by a GAZ-69 or GAZ-66 4x4 light truck. For increased mobility the ZU-23 is often mounted on vehicles and trucks, such as the Ural 6x6 truck. When mounted on a vehicle it is also easier to employ it against ground targets.
Users
The ZU-23 replaced the ZPU series in Soviet service and were widely exported to nations allied to the USSR. The ZU-23 remains in active service throughout Eastern Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
ZU-23
The ZU-23 is a towed twin barrel 23mm anti-aircraft gun. The design is somewhat similar to the ZPU-2. In the firing position the ZU-23 rests on three legs and the wheels are folded sideways. The 23mm guns are air cooled and fitted with a quick change mechanism.
- Specifications:
- ZU-23
Type | Towed anti-aircraft gun |
---|---|
Crew | 5, 2 on weapon |
Ordnance | 23x152mm 2A14 autocannon (2x) |
Elevation | -10 to +90°, manual |
Traverse | 360°, manual |
Rate of fire | 800 - 1.000 rpm cyclic (per barrel), 200 rpm practical |
---|---|
Range | 2.5 km vs aircraft, 1.5 km altitude, 2 km vs ground targets |
Carriage | 2 wheel carriage with three outriggers, 1.67 m track |
Weight | 950 kg with ammunition |
Length | 4.57 m (travelling) |
Width | 1.83 m (travelling) |
---|---|
Height | 1.87 m (travelling) |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | ZUR-23 optical-mechanical sight |
ZUR-23-2S Jod
The ZUR-23-2S Jod is a Polish upgrade of the ZU-23. It is fitted with the more capable GP-1R tachometric sight unit and two SA-7 man portable surface to air missiles. The sight increases the effectiveness of the 23mm autocannon and the SA-7 missiles increase the engagement range.
- Specifications:
- ZUR-23-2S
Type | Towed anti-aircraft gun |
---|---|
Crew | 2 on weapon |
Ordnance | 23x152mm 2A14 autocannon (2x) Strela-2M SAM (2x) |
Elevation | -10 to +90°, 40/°s |
Traverse | 360°, 60°/s |
Rate of fire | 800 - 1.000 rpm cyclic (per barrel), 200 rpm practical |
---|---|
Range | 2.5 km vs aircraft, 1.5 km altitude, 2 km vs ground targets |
Carriage | 2 wheel carriage with three outriggers, 1.73 m track |
Weight | 1.120 kg |
Length | 4.68 m (travelling) |
Width | 1.9 m (travelling) |
---|---|
Height | 2.00 m (travelling) |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | GP-1R tachometric sight |
ZUR-23-2KG Jodek-KG
The ZUR-23-2KG Jodek-KG is the latest version of the ZUR-23-2S Jod. KG stands for Kolimatorowy Grom, Polish for collimator Grom. It follows the same design principle as the Jod, but is fitted with a new sight and more capable missiles. The improved sight unit is the CKE-2 collimator sight. The two SA-7 missiles have been replaced by the Polish GROM surface to air missile.
- Specifications:
- ZUR-23-2KG
Type | Towed anti-aircraft gun |
---|---|
Crew | 2 on weapon |
Ordnance | 23x152mm 2A14 autocannon (2x) Grom SAM (2x) |
Elevation | -10 to +90°, 40/°s |
Traverse | 360°, 60°/s |
Rate of fire | 800 - 1.000 rpm cyclic (per barrel), 200 rpm practical |
---|---|
Range | 2.5 km vs aircraft, 1.5 km altitude, 2 km vs ground targets |
Carriage | 2 wheel carriage with three outriggers, 1.73 m track |
Weight | ? |
Length | ? |
Width | ? |
---|---|
Height | ? |
Towing vehicle | 4x4 light truck |
Speed | ? |
Remarks | CKE-2 collimator sight |