Threat of the Week
The ZSU-23-4 Shilka (Russian for "Awl") is a fully integrated, self-propelled anti-aircraft system with four liquid-cooled 23-mm AZP-23 automatic cannons
mounted on a highly modified PT-76 light tank chassis. It was introduced in the late 1960s and remains in use by Russian forces and former Soviet client states, among others.
The system can be fired optically or electronically using its integral Gun Dish fire-control radar, which is mounted on the top of the armored turret.
Gun Dish emits a powerful but narrow, beam, which provides good target tracking. In some cases, ZSU-23-4s receive information from long-range acquisition radars to increase their effectiveness.
Russian doctrine prescribes field deployment of the ZSU-23-4 complemented by either the SA-6, SA-9, or SA-13 SAM systems for divisional air defense.
It was the first Russian air defense gun to mount its own radar.
Main armament: 4 × 23 mm 2A7 autocannons (AZP-23 "Amur")
Max effective range: 2,500m
Max effective altitude: 1,500km
Radar: Sborka (9S80-1 or PPRU-M1) DOG EAR (Target Acquisition)
Detection range: 20km
Tracking range: 13km
Elevation: -4° to +85°
Traverse: 360°
Rate of fire: 2000 rpm
Muzzle velocity: 3117-3182 ft/s
