ZU-23-2/ ZU-23 Towed Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA) 1960
Ukrainian airborne troops of the 1st Battalion, 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade engaging ground-level targets with a ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft weapon. Ukrainian forces defending the northeastern region of Kharkiv have clawed back territory from Russian troops, Kyiv says.
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| ZU-23-2 Anti-aircraft Autocannon |
The ZU-23-2 is a light, towed anti-aircraft/ air defense system developed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s. Design work began in the latter part of the decade and culminated with the system achieving operational status in 1960. Amazingly, the weapon has proven so sound that it is still in operation throughout the world and production continues to this day. To date, tens of thousands of weapon types have been delivered across the globe and evolved into other useful variants, and modernized when possible.
The excellent portability of the ZU-23-2 means that it can not only be towed by a mover vehicle but also mounted onto a variety of vehicle types - particularly flatbed trucks (even improvised fighting vehicles known as "Technicals") and similar wheeled instruments capable of handling the weapon weight and recoil.
Video source: Incredible Equipment
The design of the ZU-23 is based on the earlier ZPU-2 anti-aircraft gun, from which it can be distinguished by the positioning of the ammunition boxes and different armaments. Instead of the two 14.5mm KPV autocannon on the ZPU-2 two 23mm 2A14 autocannons. 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.
The ZU-23 is fitted with two 2A14 autocannons firing the 23x152mm round. Each 2A14 is fed by a 50-round belt. The cyclic rate of fire is 2.000 rpm, but a 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.
See also: This is a Versatile and Deadly Fighter Jet
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