ZU-23

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File:ZU23.jpg

ZU-23-2

The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Soviet towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin autocannon. ZU stands for Zenitnaya Ustanovka - anti-aircraft mount.

It mounts two 2A14 23 mm autocannons on a small trailer which can be converted into a stationary mount for firing the guns. While in this position the wheels are moved aside. The autocannon can be prepared for firing from the march position in 30 seconds and in emergency can be fired from the traveling position. The weapon is aimed and fired manually, with the help of the ZAP-23 optical-mechanical sight which uses manually entered target data to provide limited automatic aiming. It also has a straight-tube telescope for use against ground targets such as infantry as well as unarmored or lightly armoured vehicles. The ammo is a feed by a conveyor belt from two ammunition boxes. Each of the ammunition boxes are located on the side of the twin autocannon and each carries 50 rounds. The fumes created by firing the weapon are partially removed thorough the side openings in the barrels.[1]

The cannon carriage is based on the earlier ZPU-2 anti-aircraft twin heavy machine gun, which mounted two KPV 14.5 mm heavy 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 also developed. However, these versions never entered service.

ZU-23-2 can be towed by a number of different vehicles. In USSR and later Russia the most frequently used towing vehicles for it were GAZ-66 four-wheels drive trucks and GAZ-69 four-wheel drive light trucks.[1]

General characteristics

   * Overall dimensions in firing position
         o Length: 4.57 m (15 ft)
         o Width: 2.88 m (9.44 ft)
         o Height: 1.22 m (4 ft)
   * Weight: 0.95 tonnes (2,094 lbs)
   * Armament: two 2A14 Afanasyev-Yakushev 23x152mm (.90 in) autocannons
   * Barrel length: 2 m (6.5 ft)/ 87.3 calibers
   * Muzzle velocity: 970 m/s (3,182 ft/s)
   * Projectile weight: 186 g (6.27 oz)
   * Rate of fire
         o Cyclic: 2,000 rounds per minute
         o 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
         o BZT Armor Piercing Incendiary Tracer (API-T) rounds
         o OFZ High Explosive Incendiary Tracer (HEI-T) rounds
   * Crew: 6