ZSU-57-2 type 57-mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Foreword:
The development of military science and technology is often accompanied by the emergence of a series of classic equipment, among which the ZSU-57-2-57 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is one of the representatives of the Soviet military industry. Although its era of service has long passed, its place and performance in military history are still worthy of our in-depth understanding.
The development of the ZSU-57-2 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun dates back to the late 40s of the 20th century. After its official adoption by the Soviet Army and mass production began in 1956, it became an important self-propelled anti-aircraft gun of its time. However, over time, the ZSU-57-2 was gradually replaced by the more modern and effective ZSU-23-4 "Shileka". Despite this, the ZSU-57-2 continues to serve today in many countries around the world, providing solid air defense support for the countries in which it is located.
The ZSU-57-2 is armed with two S-68 type 57-mm guns, which are essentially a twin installation version of the S-60 towed anti-aircraft gun. These air-cooled guns have excellent firepower and can fire 50-60 shells in quick mode. Among them, the types of artillery shells include fragmentation tracer shells against air targets and armor-piercing tracer shells against ground targets. A direct hit from one 57-mm shell was enough to easily destroy a fighter or ground attack aircraft.
In contrast to some modern self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, the ZSU-57-2 was not equipped with a radar system, but had an open door sight for fire control. Optical sights are mainly used to engage ground targets. However, the role of the ZSU-57-2 in night combat was limited due to the lack of night vision equipment, which was also an obvious shortcoming.
The armor of the ZSU-57-2 was rather weak, with a maximum thickness of only 15 mm. The open top design makes it ineffective against attacks from above. In addition, the self-propelled anti-aircraft gun lacks NBC (nuclear, biochemical, chemical) protection systems, which makes its survivability in complex battlefield environments relatively low. The chassis design took into account several components of the T-54 medium tank, powered by a V-54 diesel engine with a power of up to 520 horsepower.
The influence of the ZSU-57-2 is also reflected in its modifications, of which the Type 80 SPAAG is the product of the imitation of the ZSU-57-2 by the East Asian powers. Based on the Type 69 medium tank chassis, the Type 80 SPAAG, while inheriting the legacy of the ZSU-57-2, has enhanced its performance through a series of technical upgrades.
Despite the fact that the ZSU-57-2 has been withdrawn from the main battlefield, its contribution and performance in military history are still not negligible. As an early self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, it provided valuable experience for the later development of equipment. However, today, with the continuous progress of science and technology, we must also carefully consider its role and position in modern warfare. Perhaps, such a review can provoke more thinking about the development of military technology.
In your opinion, do early self-propelled anti-aircraft guns like the ZSU-57-2 still have value in contemporary military affairs?Feel free to leave a comment to share your thoughts.