The_Soviet_Army_troops_organization_and_equi

FM 100-2-3

A n t i t a n k Guided Missile AT-7/SAXHORN

DESCRIPTION:

T h e AT-7/SAXHORN is a tube-launched, SACLOS, ATGM system with a wire command link. One man can carry and operate it, but its crew normally consists of two men. The second man probably carries additional missile canisters.

CAPABILITIES:

The AT-7 system is organic to the machine gun/antitank platoon of the BTR-equipped MRC. This platoon has three manpack launchers.

The SAXHORN missile, with a HEAT warhead, has a maximum range of 1,000 meters. The opera-

tor tracks the target visually using a monocular scope. The missile is guided automatically to the target on which the operator keeps the crosshairs of his sight.

LIMITATIONS:

Same a s for the AT-4/SPIGOT.

REMARKS:

The AT-7/SAXHORN system was introduced in 1979 and is the Soviet equivalent of the US Dragon system.

AT-8/SONGSTER is a tank-gun-launched

system with SACLOS guidance and a frequency guidance link. It is known to be

the T-64B and T-80 medium tanks.

SONGSTER missile has a maximum range meters. Its HEAT warhead has a n armor tion capability of 700 to 800 millimeters.

a sustain or boost/sustain motor to propel e target. The tank gunner tracks the target

visually using a monocular periscope; the missile is guided automatically to the target on which he keeps the crosshairs of his sight. The missile has a primary antitank role, but it also has a secondary antihelicopter role.

LIMITATIONS:

Same as for other SACLOS ATGMs.

REMARKS:

The AT-8/SONGSTERmay have entered service around 1981.

The ZU-23 comprises twin 23-mm cannons on a towed two-wheel carriage. The cannons mount side-by-side between large ring-type trunnions. In appearance, the ZU-23 resembles 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.

CAPABILITIES:

The ZU-23 is a highly mobile, air-droppable weapon. A battery of 6 ZU-23sis organic to Soviet air assault brigades, as well as to airborne regiments. A battalion of 18 ZU-23sis organic to the Soviet airborne division. It i s t h a t division's principal antiaircraft artillery (AAA) weapon. It has a n effective AA range of 2,500 meters. It can also be effective against lightly armored ground vehicles.

In firing position, the ZU-23is leveled by jacks and stabilized on a three-point base. It uses an optical-mechanical computing sight for AA fire and a straight-tube telescope for ground targets. The crew can fire the gun from the traveling position in emergencies.

The ZU-23 fires the same ammunition a s the 23-mm SP AA g u n ZSU - 23 - 4 On t h e towed

system, ammunition feeds from box magazines mounted on the outside of each trunnion. Reloading is fast and uncomplicated. The magazines are easily accessible. The beginning link of the new belt attaches to the link of the last old cartridge.

This last cartridge automatically interrupts the firing cycle when it reaches the feedway and

signals the bolt to remain open.

LIMITATIONS:

One drawback of the ZU-23is its inability to fire anything but automatic fire.

REMARKS:

Introduced in 1962, the ZU-23 is the Soviets' newest lightweight, automatic, towed AA gun. It is used extensively by airborne units and possibly

by some MRRs that have not yet converted to the ZSU-23-4/SA-9air defense battery. ZU-23s also

provide close-in air defenses for a n SA-4 brigade.

The Soviets have exported the ZU-23 to many countries. Some of these countries have added a degree of mobility to the system by mounting it on various trucks and armored vehicles.

T h e ZSU-23-4 i s a fully i n t e g r a t e d , S P AA system with four liquid-cooled 23-mmautomatic can­ n o n s m o u n t e d o n t h e f r o n t of a l a r g e , f l a t , armored turret. The chassis has many components borrowed from other Soviet armored vehicles. The suspension system resembles t h a t of the PT-76

mounted on the rear of the turret can fold down during travel.

T h e Soviets h a v e produced a number of different ZSU-23-4models. These are distinguishable externally by the types of stowage boxes on the turret a n d minor modifications in the mounting of the guns.

CAPABILITIES:

A platoon of four ZSU-23-4s, along with four SA-9-GASKIN SAM systems, is organic to the air

defense missile and artillery battery of MRRs and

TRs. Two ZSU-23-4swill usually support each of t h e t w o f i r s t -e c h e l o n b a t t a l i o n s . T h e s e t w o weapons are normally separated by 200 meters, and they typically travel 400 meters behind the battalion's leading elements.

T h e ZSU-23-4 i s n o t amphibious, but h a s a

fording capability of just over one meter. During river assault operations, the ZSU-23-4s would be

ferried to the far bank immediately after the lead­ ing companies.

The ZSU-23-4has the capability to both acquire and track low-flying aircraft targets, with a n effective AA range of 2,500 meters. I t also is capable

of firing on t h e move because of i t s integrated radar/gun stabilization system. The high-frequency

operation of the GUN DISH radar emits a very n a r r o w b e a m t h a t provides excellent a i r c r a f t tracking while being difficult to detect or evade. However, such a frequency also dictates a limited r a n g e ; l i n k i n g t h e system to other long -range

acquisition radars in the area can compensate for t h i s . T h e ZSU-23-4 c a n a l s o e n g a g e l i g h t l y

armored ground vehicles.

The four guns are water-cooled and have a cyclic r a t e of fire of 800 to 1,000 rounds per minute each. However, the gunner normally fires them in bursts (2 to 3 rounds per barrel) to reduce

ammunition expenditure and prolong barrel life. Each ZSU-23-4carries about 2,000 rounds onboard.

Supply trucks, which follow t h e ZSUs a t a distance of 1.5 to 2.5 kilometers, carry a n esti­ mated additional 3,000 rounds for each of the four ZSUs. Electronic target acquisition, tracking,

and ranging ate automated; an onboard computer determines superelevation a n d azimuth lead.

Conventional optical sights also are available.

The onboardload normally mixes two types of ammunition at a ratio of three HEI-T rounds per one API-T round. An H E I round is also available. The HEI-T and H E I rounds are intended for defeating aircraft by blast, fragmentation, or incendiary effect. However, they may also be used against personnel i n a ground role. The API-T round can penetrate lightly armored ground targets and aircraft and defeat them by an incendiary effect. Tracers facilitate correction of fire.

The An-22/COCK or IL-76/CANDID transport aircraft or the Mi-26/HALO A heavy-lift helicopter c a n airlift t h e ZSU-23-4. The crew of the

ZSU-23-4receives a degree of protection from the thin armor (maximum thickness 9.4 millimeters in

the hull, 8.9 millimeters in the turret). A radiation detection and warning system and an air filtra­

tion and overpressure system provide collective NBC protection.

LIMITATIONS:

Heavy machine gun fire can penetrate the hull and turret. Tread and road wheels are vulnerable to artillery fire. Frag-HE rounds can penetrate the armor, destroy the radar dish, or rupture the liquid coolant sleeves of the 23-mm cannons. The system is also vulnerable to ECM.

REMARKS:

The ZSU-23-4,introduced around 1965, is called Shilka by the Soviets. The rest of the Warsaw

Pact has deployed it widely since 1970. Despite the ZSU-23-4's good record, the 30-mm S P AA

system 2S6 is replacing it. The 2S6 system, previously known a s SP AA gun M1986, has improved

AA range, rate of fire (per barrel), and fire-control equipment. The newer system is mounted on a

more heavily armored chassis derived from the SA-4/GANEFSAM launcher vehicle.

DESCRIPTION:

The 2S6 system integrates four 30-min automatic cannons with launchers for eight SA-19 SAMs on the same chassis. In addition to two guns and four SAM launchers on each side, the turret mounts a fire control radar on its front and

a target acquisition radar on its rear. The suspension system resembles that of the SA-4/GANEF

SAM system, but it has only six road wheels.

CAPABILITIES:

A battery of six 2S6 systems is organic to the air defense battalion which replaces the air

defense missile and artillery battery in some MRRs and TRs. The mixed armament of guns

and missiles allows the 2S6 to replace both the ZSU-23-4SP AA guns and the SA-13 SAM sys-

tems at this level. The separate radars for target acquisition and fire control enable the 2S6 to search for and engage targets simultaneously. Compared to the ZSU-23-4the 2S6 guns have

improved AA range and rate of fire (per barrel). The onboard SAMs can engage even longer-range

targets.

REMARKS:

The 2S6, previously known as the SP AA gun M1986,has been deployed in WGF since the spring

of 1987.

The S-60 is a towed, road-transportable, shortto medium-range, single-barrel 57-mm AA gun

system. The recognition features include a fourwheeled carriage; a long, thin tube with multi-

perforated muzzle brake; and a distinctive gun shield. The prime mover for the S-60 is usually t h e Ural-375cargo truck. Besides on-carriage optical fire control, the S-60 also employs an offcarriage SON-9 or FLAP WHEEL fire control radar, mounted on a separate van.

CAPABILITIES:

The S-60 is present in the AA regiment of some

MRDs and TDs. However, the SA-6/GAINFULor

SA-8/GECKO SAM systems have replaced it in most divisions in the forward area. It also may

be organic to territorial defense units, especially around airfields. An S-60-equippedregiment has

24 guns: four firing batteries, each consisting of six guns and a fire control center.

The S-60's tactical AA ranne is 4.000 meters with optical sights and 6,000 meters with radar

guidance. This weapon, designed to provide defense against aircraft and helicopters, can also be

effective against lightly armored ground vehicles.

The four-wheel carriage can be leveled and stabil­ ized on jacks to form a point firingbase. The four.

round clips feed ammunition horizontally into the weapon. The gun can fire from the traveling position in emergencies.

LIMITATIONS:

The towed S-60 system lacks the mobility of the newer SAM systems which are replacing it.

REMARKS:

The S-60,introduced around 1950, is no longer organic to first-line Soviet divisions. The Soviets introduced an S P version, the ZSU-57-2, in 1957. It had twin 57-mm guns mounted on a modified

T-54 tank chassis. The ZSU-57-2has the same characteristics as the S-60 except that it is not

radar-controlled. It is now considered obsolete