ZU-23 23MM Antiaircraft Gun
Introduced in 1964, the ZU-23 was the Soviets' newest lightweight, automatic, towed antiaircraft gun. It was used extensively by airborne units and possibly by some motorized rifle regiments that have not yet converted to the ZSU-23-4/SA-9 air defense battery. ZU-23s also are used to provide close-in air defense for a SA-4 brigade. The ZU-23 is a highly mobile air dropable system, firing the same ammunition as the ZSU-23-4. The reload time will depend on the proficiency of the crew to manually reload, and it can fire from the traveling position in emergencies. The ZU-23 can also be used in a ground support role. One drawback of the ZU-23 is its inability to fire anything but automatic fire.
The ZU-23 mounts twin 23-mm cannons on a towed two-wheel carriage. The cannons are positioned side-by-side between large ring-type trunnions. In appearance, the ZU-23 can be confused with the 14.5-mm ZPU-2; however, the shape and placement of the ZU-23 ammunition boxes (at right angles to the gun carriage) and prominent muzzle flash suppressors are distinguishing features.
A battalion of 18 ZU-23s was organic to the Soviet airborne division and is the division's principal AAA weapon. It has an effective AA range of 2,500 meters. It also can be used effectively against lightly armored ground vehicles. In firing position, the ZU-23 is leveled by jacks and stabilized on a three-point base. An optical-mechanical computing sight is used for anti-aircraft fire and a straight-tube telescope for ground targets.
Ammunition is fed from box magazines mounted on the outside of each trunnion. Reloading is fast and uncomplicated. The magazines are easily accessible and the beginning link of the new belt attaches to the link of the last old cartridge which automatically interrupts the firing cycle when it reaches the feedway and signals the bolt to remain open.
The ZU-23 Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun was developed referring to the 1954 year Soviet Union requirements. The 2A14 Gun was developed for this gun in 1957. Its polygon tests took part till 1959 and finally in 1960 it entered service with the Soviet Army under the indexation as the ZU-23 23-mm Twin Anti-Aircraft Gun and also as the 2A13 as modifications with single or four barrels left only as test examples. At the moment the ZU-23 is used by the Russian Army and by more than 20 other countries of the world.The ZU-23-2, also known as ZU-23, is a Russian-made towed 23 mm anti-aircraft twin-barreled automatic cannon. At the end of World War II the standard anti-aircraft gun was the ZPU series, armed with a 14.5 mm machine gun. ZU-23-2 was developed in the late 1950s. It was designed to engage low-flying targets at a range of 2.5 km as well as armored vehicles at a range of 2 km and for direct defense of troops and strategic locations against air assault usually conducted by helicopters and low-flying airplanes. During the Invasion of Grenada in October 1983, a ZU-23-2 shut down an American helicopter. ZU-23-2 entered service with the Soviet Army in 1960. ZU-23-2 is often mounted on trucks for use in both anti-aircraft and fire support roles. It can also be mounted on the roof of the MT-LB multi-purpose tracked APCs. Specially modified three-legged ZU-23-2 is used in BTR-DG based airborne SPAAG. Cheap, easy to operate, and still effective, the ZU-23-2 is still used by the Russian Army and by more than 20 other armies in the world.
The ZU-23, mounted on a truck chassis, was actively used during wars and military conflicts of recent decades. It has proven itself as an effective means not only against air targets, but also against ground targets. If the ammunition load of anti-aircraft gun mounts includes explosive ammunition, then their effectiveness will be quite high,
The advent of small UAVs, including FPV drones, has given a second life to anti-aircraft artillery. This direction almost disappeared, since anti-aircraft guided missiles coped with many targets. But as soon as the targets became small, the ratio of the price of the ammunition and the drone on which it is used became in favor of the UAV. Therefore, a return to this type of anti-aircraft artillery is a logical and evolutionary step. It is important to equip these installations with appropriate detection means, since their effective firing range is limited to two and a half kilometers. Electronic and optical interference is also necessary.
The offensive actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are covered by numerous SAM units, including ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft guns. The task of the crews is to cover the Ukrainian assault units from strikes by kamikaze drones "Lancet" and reconnaissance with the help of "Orlan", Zala and a number of other drones. It is noted that reconnaissance drones usually fly at high altitude, so they are usually "hunted" by the SAM "Strela-10" and Western air defense models.
https://tr.topwar.ru/169006-rossijskie-voennye-v-srednej-azii-poluchat-na-vooruzhenie-gruzovye-tachanki.html
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