In the late fifties of the last century, the ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun was created, which received the nickname "Zushka" in the army. At that time, the rate of fire at the level of 2 thousand rounds per minute, the power of 23 mm ammunition, the firing range of up to 2.5 kilometers and the accuracy of fire were sufficient to perform a wide range of tasks. However, after several decades, due to the active development of combat aviation and its ammunition, the characteristics of the ZU-23 do not allow effectively repelling air strikes. Given the large number of anti-aircraft guns that have survived in the troops, a few years ago, various design organizations of the defense industry began work on options for modernizing the ZU-23, designed to bring the characteristics of this weapon to acceptable values.
The Podolsk Electromechanical Plant (PEMZ Spetsmash) showed its new development at the exhibition "Day of Innovations of the Ministry of Defense" held a few days ago. The designers of Spetsmash have created another original version of the modernization of the outdated ZU-23. As stated, the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 anti-aircraft gun in its capabilities is many times superior to the original design half a century ago.
As the basis for the installation of the ZU-23 / 30M1-3, a slightly modified ZU-23 with original 2A14 assault rifles, a gun carriage, a wheeled drive, etc. was taken. At the same time, several new units were added to the plant. To the right of the cannons, above the ammunition box, on the ZU-23 / 30M1-3, an electronics unit with means for detecting and tracking targets is installed. The anti-aircraft gunner, whose workplace is to the left of the guns, independently or with outside help, finds the target and roughly points the guns and the sighting system at it. Further, an optoelectronic unit with a thermal imaging channel and a laser rangefinder takes the target for automatic tracking and calculates the necessary lead values.
At this time, the gunner of the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 anti-aircraft gun can monitor the progress of combat work using the monitor installed at his workplace and make the necessary adjustments through the control panel. Target tracking is carried out in automatic mode, thanks to which the gunner can only give the appropriate command and open fire. An interesting feature of the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 is the fact that the automation not only independently calculates all the parameters necessary for firing, but also guides the guns without human intervention.
If necessary, the updated ZU-23 can hit targets using guided missiles. For this purpose, portable anti-aircraft missile systems "Igla-S" are mounted on a special bracket above the cannons. MANPADS are connected to a common fire control system, after which their combat use is possible. The principle of operation of the missile and artillery system when using missiles is somewhat similar to the algorithm for firing from cannons. The gunner must also find the target and turn on its automatic tracking. Further, the missile seeker finds the target and launch is possible.
As far as it is clear from the available information, the entire modernization of the ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun, produced at PEMZ Spetsmash, concerned solely electromechanical and electronic systems. In this regard, the fire characteristics of the updated artillery system remained the same. The ZU-23 / 30M1-3, like the original Zushka, is capable of effectively hitting low-speed targets like attack aircraft and helicopters at distances up to 2.5 kilometers and altitudes up to 1.5 kilometers. Rate of fire - up to 1000 rounds per minute for each barrel. After the installation of the electronic equipment, the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 became noticeably heavier in comparison with the original design, but there are no exact data on this.
In general, it can be recognized that the modernization of the outdated ZU-23 anti-aircraft gun carried out at the Podolsk Electromechanical Plant does significantly increase the combat potential of the artillery system. However, due to the use of an old and inadequate initial design, the new ZU-23 / 30M1-3 installation in a real war is likely to receive only limited use. The fact is that the development of air attack weapons has long allowed aircraft and helicopters to hit ground targets without entering the zone of operation of anti-aircraft systems like the ZU-23.
However, despite the insufficient characteristics of the artillery unit, the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 installation has several interesting features that significantly increase its combat potential and capabilities in war conditions. Compatibility with missiles, even with short-range MANPADS (the range of the Igla-S complex is up to 6 kilometers), significantly increases the range of the entire anti-aircraft system. In addition, since all equipment for observing and tracking the target, with the exception of the laser rangefinder, does not emit anything during duty or combat work, the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 can be very effective for repelling raids at night. The only condition necessary for full-fledged work in such an environment is additional external detection of targets on the approach to the zone of destruction of the anti-aircraft gun and target designation.
Due to the insufficient characteristics of the original artillery installation, the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 project may remain at the stage of development and testing, without the interest of potential customers. At the same time, a large number of manufactured ZU-23 anti-aircraft guns and active deliveries of these weapons to friendly countries, practiced in the past, can help the PEMZ Spetsmash project find its niche. The electronics complex, which makes ZU-23 / 30M1-3 out of Zushka, is able to interest third countries that are actively using old Soviet-made anti-aircraft systems. Probably, it is the modernization of foreign weapons, given a favorable set of circumstances, in the near future will become the main prerequisite for the widespread dissemination of the ZU-23 / 30M1-3 or other projects of this kind.
