ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" is a real legend among anti-aircraft self-propelled guns (ZSU), and its long military life deserves exceptional respect. This ZSU is an example of a rational attitude towards military equipment, which has already been discontinued, but is still able to perform the tasks assigned to it.
Despite the fact that the serial production of the ZSU-23-4 "Shilka", named after the river, the left tributary of the Amur, was discontinued back in 1982, modernizations of this unit continue to appear today not only in Russia, but also in other countries - Poland, Ukraine, and the ZSU itself is still in service with the ground forces of the Russian Federation.
ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" (index GRAU 2A6) is a Soviet self-propelled anti-aircraft gun designed for direct cover of ground forces, destruction of various low-flying air targets (helicopters, aircraft, UAVs, cruise missiles), as well as ground (surface) targets such as fire from a place, and when shooting from short stops or in motion. The development of the complex was carried out by the famous KB Pribostroeniya from the city of Tula, and the production of UMP was carried out by the Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant, which is now part of the Almaz-Antey Concern East Kazakhstan. The enterprise is engaged in modernization of ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" and at the present time. In the Soviet Union, this ZSU was part of the air defense units of the ground forces of the regimental level. Serial production of the installation, which was armed with a quad automatic 23 mm cannon with a rate of fire of 3400 rounds per minute, began in 1964 and continued until 1982. In total, about 6, 5 thousand ZSU of this type were assembled during this time.
Almost none of the military conflicts of the second half of the 20th century did not go without the use of this combat vehicle. Shilka took part in battles in Vietnam, where it was a serious enough threat to American pilots. It was actively used in the Arab-Israeli wars, the civil war in Angola, in the Libyan-Egyptian conflict, the Iranian-Iraqi and Ethiopo-Somali wars, in the hostilities in the Balkans and in the Persian Gulf zone. The USSR made extensive use of ZSU data during the war in Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, "Shilki" were used not as air defense systems, but as infantry support combat vehicles, bringing real terror to the dushmans. For the colossal combat power of four paired automatic cannons with a tremendous rate of fire, the Afghan mujahideen nicknamed "Shilka" - "shaitan-arba" - a devil's cart. In the absence of a real threat from the air, the installation was used to fire at various ground targets, including lightly armored ones, at a distance of up to 2-2.5 km, it could easily suppress any enemy fortifications with fire.
ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"
At the same time, "Shilka" remains in demand in the 21st century. This ZSU is actively used in the military conflict in Syria. Here it is also used as a fire support vehicle, which covers the action of attacking infantry units and tanks. The unit destroys enemy machine gunners, snipers and grenade launchers with dense fire from rapid-fire cannons. This installation is especially effective when conducting military operations in conditions of dense urban development. The elevation angle of automatic 23-mm guns is 85 degrees, which makes it easy to suppress the positions of militants, located even on the upper floors of buildings. According to military experts, not a single large-scale army operation has been carried out in Syria recently without the participation of the ZSU-23-4.
Quadruple automatic 23-mm cannon, possessing a high rate of fire and a high initial velocity of projectiles, is able to create a real "sea" of fire. Therefore, even a tank that comes under fire can be withdrawn from the battle, having lost almost all attachments and observation devices. Although the modern anti-aircraft missile and missile-cannon air defense systems at the disposal of the Russian Ground Forces surpass the Shilka in terms of their parameters and characteristics, the main advantage of the ZSU is the ability to use it on the front line in direct contact with enemy troops. Saves the presence of splinterproof and bulletproof armor.
Until now, the ZSU-23-4 installation is in service with dozens of countries around the world, being an inexpensive, but at the same time, universal tool for solving various combat missions. At the same time, the appearance on the scene of new air attack weapons and the increase in the pace of modern combat made it necessary to modernize the installation. The number of Shiloks used in different armies of the world is still in the hundreds. At the same time, despite their already quite honorable age, there is often no alternative to them. Especially, taking into account the fact that not every state can afford to purchase new ZSU. In these conditions, the task of modernizing a veteran machine only becomes more urgent.
ZSU-23-4M4 "Shilka-M4"
Specialists and military experts believe that one of the best options for modernizing and "modernizing" this combat vehicle is the Russian version of the ZSU-23-4M4 "Shilka-M4". This version of the modernization of the unit has been repeatedly demonstrated at exhibitions both in Nizhny Tagil and in the Patriot park near Moscow. The fire and running capabilities of the Shilka-M4 ZSU were also demonstrated within the framework of the Army-2018 International Military-Technical Forum at the Alabino training ground. According to the developers, the capabilities of the modernized "Shilka" for the air defense of ground forces in all types of hostilities and the air defense of stationary objects have significantly increased.
ZSU-23-4M4 is a modernized version of the installation with a new radar fire control system (fire control system) and the ability to install the Strelets air defense system. The upgrade of the OMS is accompanied by the replacement of the existing radar with a newly created station of the same frequency range on a solid-state element base with an improved set of characteristics. SAM "Strelets" is designed to provide automated remote single, sequential launch of SAM-type "Igla" from a variety of ground, sea or air-based carriers. When two or more Sagittarius combat modules are installed on the carrier, it becomes possible to carry out salvo launches of two missiles at one target, which significantly increases the chances of its destruction. The placement of this complex actually turns the "Shilka" into a real anti-aircraft missile and cannon installation.
Also, the battery of the complex included a PPRU - a mobile reconnaissance and control station "Assembly M1" as a command post (CP) and a telecode communication channel for the exchange of information between the command post and the ZSU. On board the modernized machine, the analog computing device was replaced with a modern digital computing system (DCS), and a digital tracking system is being mounted. Affected the modernization and tracked chassis. The modernization of the chassis is aimed at improving the maneuverability and controllability of the SPG, as well as reducing the labor intensity of its operation and maintenance. The radio station and the active night vision device are also changing, which has been replaced by a passive one. The modernized version is also equipped with an automated control system for the performance of electronic equipment and an air conditioner, which improves the working conditions of the crew, which is especially necessary in operating conditions in hot climates. The number of the self-propelled gun crew remained unchanged - 4 people.
ZSU-23-4M4 "Shilka-M4"
Having received new equipment and equipment as part of the modernization, the Shilka-M4 retained its main and proven weaponry - a quad 23-mm automatic cannon 2A7M, which is easily guided in any direction in azimuth with declination / elevation angles from -4 to + 85 degrees. Effective firing from this artillery mount is possible at a distance of up to 2-2.5 kilometers at an initial projectile speed of 950-970 m / s. The reach of the installation in height is 1.5 kilometers. This artillery mount can be effectively used to fire at flying targets moving at speeds up to 500 m / s. At the same time, when using Igla anti-aircraft missiles of the Strelets air defense system (there are 4 such missiles on a combat vehicle), the target engagement range is increased to 5 kilometers, and the height to 3.5 kilometers.
The standard ammunition load for the Shilka-M4 ZSU consists of 2,000 23-mm rounds and 4 Igla missiles. When operating in a single air defense system, the maximum detection range of air targets can reach 34 kilometers. The maximum range of target tracking by the radio channel is 10 kilometers, the minimum is 200 meters. The minimum altitude for tracking air targets by a radio channel is 20 meters. The consumption of projectiles per shot down air target is estimated at 300-600 rounds. The probability of hitting an air target in one flight with a flow rate of 300 shots is estimated at 0.5.
Unlike its predecessors, the Shilka-M4 modification is able to operate in a difficult jamming environment, as well as to effectively detect air targets flying at low altitudes. The automatics of the updated anti-aircraft complex independently makes corrections for the wear of the cannon barrels and meteorological conditions, and also takes into account other factors affecting the trajectory of the projectiles and, as a result, the accuracy of fire. Along with the Shilka-M4 upgrade option, there is also a ZSU-23-4M5 upgrade option, which is distinguished by the presence of an optical-location channel as part of the OMS, capable of guaranteeing the combat operation of the ZSU in conditions of strong interference that interferes with the operation of its radar. In the modernization project "Shilka-M5" it was also proposed to equip the combat vehicle with a laser rangefinder and an additional television sighting device. The modernization of the legendary ZSU "Shilka" currently being carried out provides the complex with a second life and the ability to remain in service with the Russian army and the armies of other countries for an even longer period of time.
ZSU-23-4M4 "Shilka-M4"
