We are smoothly moving from the ZSU-57-2 to the great (and I'm not afraid of this word at all) successor. "Shaitan-arbe" - "Shilke".
You can talk endlessly about this complex, but one short phrase is enough: "In service since 1965". And enough, in general.
History … The history of creation was replicated in such a way that adding something new or piquant is unrealistic, but speaking of Shilka, one cannot fail to note a few facts that simply inscribe Shilka in our military history.
So, the 60s of the last century. Jet planes have ceased to be a miracle, being a quite serious striking force. With completely different speeds and maneuvering capabilities. The helicopters also stood on the propeller and were considered not only as a vehicle, but also as a pretty decent weapon platform.
And most importantly, the helicopters began to try to catch up with the planes of the Second World War, and the planes completely overtook their predecessors.
And with all this something had to be done. Especially at the military level, in the fields.
Yes, anti-aircraft missile systems have appeared. Still stationary. The thing is promising, but in the future. But the main load was still carried by anti-aircraft guns of all sizes and calibers.
We have already talked about the ZSU-57-2 and the difficulties encountered by the calculations of installations when working on low-flying fast targets. Anti-aircraft complexes ZU-23, ZP-37, ZSU-57 could hit high-speed targets by accident. The shells of installations, shock action, without a fuse, for a guaranteed defeat, had to hit the target itself. How high the probability of a direct hit was, I cannot judge.
The situation was somewhat better with the batteries of the S-60 anti-aircraft guns, the guidance of which could be carried out automatically according to the data of the RPK-1 radio device.
But in general, there was no question of any precise anti-aircraft fire. Anti-aircraft guns could screen the aircraft, force the pilot to drop bombs, or launch missiles with less precision.
"Shilka" became a breakthrough in the field of destruction of flying targets at low altitudes. Plus mobility, which has already been assessed by the ZSU-57-2. But the main thing is accuracy.
Today, everyone who thinks in modern categories, the term "autonomous complex" is taken for granted. And in the sixties it was a feat of design thought, the pinnacle of engineering solutions.
General Designer Nikolai Aleksandrovich Astrov managed to create an incomparable machine that proved to be excellent in combat conditions. And more than once.
This despite the fact that Astrov was not an authority on the creation of anti-aircraft systems! He was a tank designer!
Small amphibious tanks T-38 and T-40, tracked armored tractor T-20 "Komsomolets", light tanks T-30, T-60, T-70, self-propelled gun SU-76M. And other, less well-known or not included in the series of models.
What is ZSU-23-4 "Shilka"?
Perhaps we should start with the destination.
The "Shilka" is intended to protect the battle formations of troops, columns on the march, stationary objects and railway echelons from an attack by an air enemy at altitudes from 100 to 1500 meters, at ranges from 200 to 2500 meters at a target speed of up to 450 m / s. "Shilka" can fire from a place and on the move, is equipped with equipment that provides an autonomous circular and sector search for targets, their tracking, development of gun pointing angles.
The armament of the complex consists of a 23-mm quadruple automatic anti-aircraft gun AZP-23 "Amur" and a system of power drives intended for guidance.
The second component of the complex is the RPK-2M radar-instrument complex. Its purpose is also clear. Targeting and fire control.
This particular vehicle was modernized in the late 80s, judging by the commander's triplex and night sight.
An important aspect: "Shilka" can work both with a radar and with a conventional optical sighting device.
The locator provides search, detection, automatic tracking of the target, determines its coordinates. But in the mid-70s, the Americans invented and began to arm aircraft with missiles that could find a locator using a radar beam and hit it. This is where simplicity came in handy.
Third component. Chassis GM-575, on which everything, in fact, is mounted.
The Shilka's crew consists of four people: the ZSU commander, the search-gunner operator, the range operator and the driver-mechanic.
The driver is the most thuggable member of the crew. It is simply stunning luxury compared to others.
The rest are in the tower, where not only is it cramped and as in a normal tank there is something to touch with your head, but also (it seemed to us) it can easily and naturally apply an electric current. Very crowded.
Range operator and gunner-operator seats. Hovering top view.
Locator screen
Analog electronics … Watching in awe. Apparently, the operator determined the range by the circular screen of the oscilloscope … Wow …
The baptism of fire "Shilka" received during the so-called "War of attrition" 1967-70 between Israel and Egypt as part of the air defense of Egypt. And after that, the complex has two dozen more local wars and conflicts. Mostly in the Middle East.
But Shilka received special recognition in Afghanistan. And the honorable nickname "Shaitan-arba" among the Mujahideen. The best way to calm down an ambush organized in the mountains is to use Shilka. A long burst of four barrels and the subsequent downpour of high-explosive shells at the intended positions is the best tool that saved more than one hundred lives of our soldiers.
By the way, the fuse worked quite normally when it hit an adobe wall. And the attempt to hide behind the duval of the villages usually did not lead to anything good for the dushmans …
Considering that the Afghan partisans had no aviation, the Shilka fully realized its potential to fire at ground targets in the mountains.
Moreover, a special "Afghan version" was created: a radio device complex was withdrawn, which was completely unnecessary in those conditions. Due to it, the ammunition load was increased from 2000 to 4000 shots and a night sight was installed.
Towards the end of the stay of our troops in the DRA, the columns, accompanied by the Shilka, were rarely attacked. This is also a confession.
It can also be considered a recognition that in our army "Shilka" is still in the ranks. More than 30 years. Yes, this is not the same car that started its career in Egypt. "Shilka" has undergone (successfully) more than one deep modernization, and one of such modernizations even received its own name, ZSU-23-4M "Biryusa".
39 countries, and not only our "faithful friends", acquired these machines from the Soviet Union.
And today the Shilki is also in service with the Russian army. But these are completely different cars, which are worth a separate story.
