ZU-23-2 / ZU-23

History

The ZU-23-2 is a light towed air defense/air defense system developed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Design work began in the second half of the century, with the final system reaching operational status in 1960.

Amazingly, the gun proved so strong that it is still in service around the world, and production continues to this day. To date, tens of thousands of weapon types have been delivered worldwide and have been further developed into other useful variants and modernized where possible.

The rather complex naming arrangement of "ZU-23-2" is actually quite descriptive when broken down: ZU = Zenitnaya Ustanovka, which means "anti-aircraft gun mount" in Russian, and "23" for the barrel caliber type and " 2" represents the number of buckets used in the theme.

The core of the ZU-23-2 is designed to combat low-flying enemy aircraft and lightly armored vehicles - the latter if necessary. The standard operator is usually six, but extreme circumstances may result in the weapon being operated by a single operator. As a towed air defense system, the ZU-23-2 consists of a wheeled chassis, a gun mount and a gun barrel. Two small wheels allow for towing transport.

These units are lifted off the ground and folded when the weapon system is ready to fire. The stand sits on a steel platform with a three-point adjustable stance that lifts the weapon system off the ground and disperses the inherent recoil of the firing action. The gun system consists of 2 x 23mm barrels arranged side by side.

Built-in optics and integrated ammo box designed to accept required 23mm projectiles. The gunner sits on a rear-mounted molded steel chair with a footrest in the front of the gun carriage. Traversal is essentially a full 360-degree arc, while elevation control allows the gun to engage both land and air targets as needed.

Ammunition supply is limited only by existing ammunition carriers.

The ZU-23-2 was designed with two 2A14 series Afanasyev-Yakushev 23x152mm automatic cannons. Each barrel was 6.5 feet long and had a muzzle velocity of 3,182 feet per second. With a range of 1.5 miles and up to 6,500 feet, it's perfect for engaging low-flying enemy helicopters and fighter jets. Each 23mm projectile weighs 0.37 lbs.

In practice, 400 rounds per minute can be achieved, while the manufacturer's specifications suggest that the optimal rate of fire is closer to 2,000 rounds per minute. Each weapon is loaded with standard ammunition 50x23mm projectiles.

Ammunition types range from armor-piercing incendiary and HE to HE fragmentation and armor-piercing case tracers.

The ZU-23-2's excellent portability means it can not only be towed by mobile vehicles, but can also be mounted on a variety of vehicle types - especially flatbed trucks (or even makeshift warfare known as "technical" Vehicle") and similar wheeled instruments capable of handling the weight and recoil of the gun. This makes the ZU-23-2 a highly maneuverable, low cost air defense platform solution with inherent tactical advantages.

The ZU-23-2 also installs On various types of armored fighting vehicles to further expand the capabilities of the weapon.

The first production form of the ZU-23-2 (also known as "ZU-23"), designated as the base "ZU-23-2", was issued to the Soviet Army. It was followed by the "ZU-23M", a modernized version that brought a new targeting system and electromagnetic rotation. The new targeting system includes a laser-based rangefinder for improved accuracy.

Apart from these two production forms for the Soviet army, the ZU-23-2 was not further developed.

Poland proved to be a quantitative operator of the ZU-23-2 system and licensed and locally produced this weapon type in the 1970s. After the addition of an electro-optical sight, it became known under the new name ZUR-23-2S "Jod". Unique to this new version is the addition of dual Strela-2M launchers. The ZUR-23-2KG "Jodek-G" has a similar scope but with a newer and more powerful sighting system. This version uses the Grom dual surface-to-air missile launcher.

The "Hibneryt" is a truck-based mobile mounted version with an electric rotating gun carriage. At least two naval versions of the ZU-23-2 were developed for the Polish Navy and have been in service since the 1980s.

Finland is another well-known operator that uses a modernized form of the ZU-23-2 as "23 ltK 95". A naval version also existed, eventually receiving over 1,100 gun models.

China, which has been keen to use Soviet-era equipment for decades, began locally licensed production of the ZU-23-2, known as the "Type 85." A 25mm version was later developed and known as the "Type 87", but retained the form and general function of the original Soviet design.

The ZU-23-2 has a place in dozens of foreign stockpiles with political or military ties to the Soviet Empire. Afghanistan produced at least 8,000 units, while Pakistan bought about 5,000. Other operators include Greece, Georgia, Libya, Poland and Myanmar. Syria received 650 systems and Yemen stockpiled 200. Israel became an interesting operator after obtaining captured specimens.

The United States tested several acquired examples to determine the strengths and weaknesses of weapons during the Cold War. It is estimated that approximately 23,600 ZU-23-2 systems have been produced to date.

ZU-23-2 still appears today at nightly press conferences detailing the Libyan insurgency that has been going on since early 2011. Many of these 450 available systems are often pictured on the backs of rebel flatbed civilian pickup trucks or excavated in defensive positions against Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi's air force.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

50 x 23 mm projectile for weapons.

Changes