Difference between revisions of "ZSU-23-4M2"

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m (Mobility: added a note to the mobility, i say the article is done)
(Updated description and usage in battle with references from previous edit)
 
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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
 
<!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Soviet SPAA {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Dance of Dragons"]]. Its a modification of the [[ZSU-23-4]], aimed at improving its effectivness against infantry. It has its [[1RL33]] radar removed, it its place it has double the ammunition load. Making it capable of using its insane firerate more effectivelly, but removing its fantastic anti air system. Addtionally a night sight was added.
+
The '''{{Specs|name}}''', sometimes referred as an "Afghan Shilka", was a modification of the infamous ZSU-23-4 Shilka family specifically for the Afghanistan battlefield for the Soviet Army during the Soviet-Afghan War. By 1978, Soviet forces in Afghanistan faced a major problem from the insurgents - their terrain advantages thanks to the very complicated plateau and hilly terrain of battlefield. Due to the lack of elevation angle from Soviet vehicles, the insurgents caused havoc to the Soviets, especially the mechanized troops; the only solution for these well-covered insurgents was ZU-23-2 or its SPAA cousin, Shilka; considering that insurgents have next-to-none air threats against Soviet forces, a certain number of Shilkas were converted in Soviet Union and delivered to the Soviet troops in Afghanistan with removed electronics for extra ammunition against insurgents, as well as extra NVD for night operations.
 +
 
 +
Introduced in [[Update "Dance of Dragons"]] as a new SPAA for Soviet/Russian tech tree. It is a modification of the [[ZSU-23-4]], aimed at improving its effectiveness against infantry. It had its [[1RL33]] radar removed, and in its place it has double the ammunition load. This makes it capable of using its insane fire rate more effectively, but removed its anti-air targeting system. Additionally, a night sight was added. Although it might sound tedious in-game, but considering for its battle rating with late-WWII or Korean War propellers/jets, it can do surprising well on intercepting these targets with more than enough ammunition to tear them into pieces, while the 23 mm autocannon could still harass enemy targets or sometimes shatter them.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
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{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Armour}}
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpful for survival in combat? If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.'' -->
''Like any Shilka in service, to put the overall protection in simple words: next to none. As a SPAA, in most cases the vehicle would not likely need to advance to the most heated frontline, thus the overall protection is nowhere sufficient to stop any bullets above .50 cal, let alone cannon or autocannon shells; protection is not one of the upgraded parts of ZSU-23-4M2 in this case, thus it retains identical protection to other serial production Shilka with no armor plates thicker than 10 mm RHA, be extra careful on where the vehicle appear and always find good cover to hide away from any possible threats before delivering the fatal blow.''
+
Like any Shilka, the overall protection is next to none. As a SPAA, in most cases the vehicle would not likely need to advance to the most heated frontline, thus the overall protection is nowhere sufficient to stop any bullets above .50 cal, let alone cannon or autocannon shells. Protection is not improved on the ZSU-23-4M2, thus it retains little protection like other Shilkas with armour plates less thick than 10 mm RHA.
  
''The M2 variant also still retains mostly identical interior design of other Shilka with a crew of four inside the ASU-85 based chassis and turret systems, aside from the extra ammo storage; in many cases any penetrated shots on the Shilka will lead to critical damage to the turret system if not detonated right away due to the huge ammo storage with around 4000 rounds of 23 mm shells onboard.''
+
The M2 variant also still retains mostly identical interior design of other Shilka with a crew of four inside, the ASU-85 based chassis and turret systems, except for the extra ammo storage. In many cases, any penetrating shots on the Shilka will lead to critical damage to the turret system if not to a sudden detonation due to the huge ammo storage with around 4,000 x 23 mm shells onboard.
  
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
 
'''Armour type:''' <!-- The types of armour present on the vehicle and their general locations -->
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! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
! Armour !! Front (Slope angle) !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 
|-
 
|-
| Hull || 9.4 mm (57°) || 9.4 mm || 9.4 mm (46°) ''Upper''
+
| Hull || 9.4 mm (57°) || 9.4 mm || 9.4 mm (46°) ''Upper'' <br> 9.4 mm (22°) ''Lower'' || 9.4 mm
9.4 mm (22°) ''Lower''
 
| 9.4 mm
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
| Turret || 8.9 mm (23°) || 8.9 mm (8-10°) || 8.9 mm (1°) || 8.9 mm
 
| Turret || 8.9 mm (23°) || 8.9 mm (8-10°) || 8.9 mm (1°) || 8.9 mm
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|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
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'''Notes:'''
'''Notes:''' <!-- Any additional notes which the user needs to be aware of -->
 
<!-- Example: * Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick, tracks are 30 mm thick, and torsion bars are 60 mm thick. -->
 
  
 
* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.
 
* Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.
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{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
{{Specs-Tank-Mobility}}
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and manoeuvrability, as well as the maximum speed forwards and backwards.'' -->
''ZSU-23-4M2 has the same mobility as the normal shilka, it has a average speed comparable to other viehicles, but it stuggles with hills due to its weak power to weight ratio''
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The ZSU-23-4M2 has an average speed comparable to other vehicles, but it struggles with hills due to its weak power-to-weight ratio.
  
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=398|rbMinHp=248}}
 
{{tankMobility|abMinHp=398|rbMinHp=248}}
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{{main|AZP-23 (23 mm)}}
 
{{main|AZP-23 (23 mm)}}
  
''The ZSU-23-4M2 is armed with the AZP-23 quad-mount autocannons onboard; known as the sewing machine due to its iconic firing sound. Although the sound from the firing can sometimes deter enemy aircrafts, for players who understand the rather curved trajectory of the 23 mm autocannon, they will have easy time taking down the Shilka; sudden attack with the autocannons is always the best idea to utilize the vehicle. Leave the shells for aircrafts instead as the penetration of 23 mm shells are rather disappointing, sometimes barely able to penetrate NATO tanks from their sides.''
+
The ZSU-23-4M2 is armed with the AZP-23 quad-mount autocannons, known as the sewing machine due to its iconic firing sound. Although the sound from the firing can sometimes deter enemy aircraft, players who understand the rather curved trajectory of the 23 mm autocannon will have an easy time taking down the Shilka. Sudden attack with the autocannons is always the best idea to use the vehicle. Leave the shells for aircraft instead as the penetration of 23 mm shells are rather disappointing, sometimes barely able to penetrate NATO tanks from their sides.
  
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
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{{:AZP-23 (23 mm)/Ammunition|HEF-I, API-T, HEFI-T}}
 
{{:AZP-23 (23 mm)/Ammunition|HEF-I, API-T, HEFI-T}}
 
[[File:ZSU 23 4m2 ammo racks.png|thumb|[[Ammo racks]] of the ZSU-23-4M2]]
 
  
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
 
==== [[Ammo racks]] ====
<!-- [[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]] -->
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[[File:Ammoracks_{{PAGENAME}}.png|right|thumb|x250px|[[Ammo racks]] of the {{PAGENAME}}]]
 
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 
<!-- '''Last updated:''' -->
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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! 2nd<br>rack empty
 
! 2nd<br>rack empty
 
! 3rd<br>rack empty
 
! 3rd<br>rack empty
!Visual<br>discrep ancy
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!Visual<br>discrepancy
 
|-
 
|-
| '''8''' || 0 (+8) || 0 (+8) || 0 (+8)  
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| '''8''' || 0&nbsp;''(+8)'' || 0&nbsp;(+8)|| 0&nbsp;(+8)|| No
|No
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
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{{Clear}}
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
== Usage in battles ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but instead give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).'' -->
''The ZSU-23-4M2 is not the greatest anti tank viehicle, but its very high fire rate cripples enemy tanks in a moment, so your best chance is against enemies that arent aware of you. As an anti air it preforms good enough, its high fire rate saturates the skies making it difficult for planes to avoid your fire. Wait for a good prey and fire at it, effect of suprise is your best friend as you are hard to detect.'' 
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==== The Mudrock Grinder ====
 +
Before players have access to the more air-defense-capable variant of Shilka, players will have to remember a thumb of rule - the ZSU-23-4M2 ''(hereafter, '''4M2''')'' is not the greatest anti-tank vehicle, any variant of them. Although the 23 mm autocannon has rather disappointing penetration against well-armor targets, they are extremely lethal to any aircrafts within 2 km radius, as well as light vehicles; this will also be a good idea to take the 4M2 variant as the lead-in vehicle to Shilka or any Soviet SPAA before Strela-10M2 or 2S6 as it requires luring to be most efficient against any targets that have to utilize its elevation angle.
 +
 
 +
As infantry is not part of targets in-game, 4M2 will have to face armored targets from time to time; for its battle rating, this translates to "doomsday tanks" with rather thick side protection even against high-caliber cannon ''i.e'' [[T29 Heavy Tank (Family)|T29/30/34]] series and [[Tiger II (Family)|Tiger II]] series, sometimes even the [[Maus]] or [[M103]]. The penetration of 23 mm autocannon is nowhere close to the protection of any of these vehicles, thus taking the 4M2 as a flanking fire support vehicle isn't too viable; while the gun can shatter lighter targets, but in most cases it will take players some time to gun down MTs, especially those with oval hull or sufficient protection, this also means enemy players can come up and gun down 4M2 with relatively ease to save their teammate. MG34 or MG3 might not be a threat for the vehicle, but any vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun and above will have easy time damaging M2 with relatively ease even at UFP; considering that there are 4000 rounds of 23 mm shells onboard (the magazines and spares behind the turret), any explosive shells with direct hits on the vehicle is more than enough to set a major firework show for the enemy team. While taking out MT/HT tracks are always a viable option for kill assists or stalling their advance, it is better to hunt down light vehicles instead as they are nowhere sufficient to save themselves from the fearsome RoF from a quad 23 mm autocannon, any LT/IFV/APCs or fellow SPAAs would be a good prey for 4M2. For its previously intended role - SPAA, due to the lack of radar system that was traded for the extra ammo belts onboard, players can take 4M2 as a "Wirbelwind on steroids" with very similar characteristics - quad-mount gun and loads of ammunition; but most of all, be sure to lure enemy aircrafts into 2 km radius, while the muzzle velocity of AZP-23 cannon needs some time to get used to due to its curved trajectory, the sheer firing sound that earned its nickname "sewing machine" and the caliber themselves are more than enough to keep the sky clear from CAS assaults, sometimes even the buzzing sound of gun fire can deter enemy assaults.
 +
 
 +
As a field-modification, ZSU-23-4M2 changes its role from SPAA into a fire-support vehicle. While this holds back some of its capabilities where players have rely on their experience to lead-in onto enemy targets, this will also be the trainer for any future Shilkas - once being used to the playstyle even without the radar, 4M2 could still be a fearsome existence to beginning with; by gunning down scouts, stalling enemy columns and gunning any "flying bugs", it can still prove its worthy at this tier.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->'''Pros:'''
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<!-- ''Summarise and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Try not to use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - use substitutions with softer forms such as "inadequate" and "effective".'' -->
 
+
'''Pros:'''
** High rate of fire; allows for area saturation
 
** Relatively high top speed
 
** Very high ammo count
 
** Fast turret traverse
 
** Can penetrate lightly armoured vehicles
 
  
*
+
* High rate of fire, allows for area saturation
 +
* Relatively high top speed
 +
* Very high ammo count
 +
* Fast turret traverse speed
 +
* Can penetrate lightly armoured vehicles
  
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
  
** Thin armour; aircraft cannons will cause severe damage
+
* Thin armour, aircraft cannons will cause severe damage
** Low power to weight ratio; struggles with slopes and off-road
+
* Low power-to-weight ratio, struggles with slopes and off-road
** Low penetration for 23 mm cannons; means troubles penetrating certain tanks from the side
+
* Low penetration for 23 mm cannon, has trouble penetrating tanks from the side
 
 
*
 
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
 
<!-- ''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too long, take it to a separate article, taking a link to the article about the vehicle and adding a block "/History" (example: <nowiki>https://wiki.warthunder.com/(Vehicle-name)/History</nowiki>) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to reference text and sources by using <code><nowiki><ref></ref></nowiki></code>, as well as adding them at the end of the article with <code><nowiki><references /></nowiki></code>. This section may also include the vehicle's dev blog entry (if applicable) and the in-game encyclopedia description (under <code><nowiki>=== In-game description ===</nowiki></code>, also if applicable).'' -->
''ZSU-23-4M2 is somewhat a field modification done during the Afghanistan war. It was made to utilize its powerfull cannons against infantry targets. This modification can still be seen used today around the world, as the 23mm guns remain usefull against all kinds of unarmoured targets''
+
The ZSU-23-4M2 was a field modification performed during the Afghanistan war. It was made to utilize its powerful cannons against infantry targets.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 
<!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
 +
''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
  
 
== See also ==
 
== See also ==
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* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
  
'''Related development'''
+
;Related development
  
 
* [[ZSU-23-4 (Family)]]
 
* [[ZSU-23-4 (Family)]]
** [[ZSU-23-4]]
 
** [[ZSU-23-4M4]]
 
  
'''''Vehicles with similar weapon systems'''''
+
;Vehicles with similar weapon systems
  
* ''[[BTR-ZD]]''
+
* [[BTR-ZD]]
  
 
== External links ==
 
== External links ==
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* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 
* ''other literature.'' -->
 +
''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
  
*  
+
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 +
* ''other literature.''
  
 
{{USSR anti-aircraft vehicles}}
 
{{USSR anti-aircraft vehicles}}

Latest revision as of 20:35, 22 September 2024

Introducing Wiki 3.0
ZSU-23-4M2
ussr_zsu_23_4m2.png
GarageImage ZSU-23-4M2.jpg
ZSU-23-4M2
AB RB SB
7.3 7.3 7.3
Class:
Research:95 000 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:270 000 Specs-Card-Lion.png

Description

The ZSU-23-4M2 "Shilka-M2", sometimes referred as an "Afghan Shilka", was a modification of the infamous ZSU-23-4 Shilka family specifically for the Afghanistan battlefield for the Soviet Army during the Soviet-Afghan War. By 1978, Soviet forces in Afghanistan faced a major problem from the insurgents - their terrain advantages thanks to the very complicated plateau and hilly terrain of battlefield. Due to the lack of elevation angle from Soviet vehicles, the insurgents caused havoc to the Soviets, especially the mechanized troops; the only solution for these well-covered insurgents was ZU-23-2 or its SPAA cousin, Shilka; considering that insurgents have next-to-none air threats against Soviet forces, a certain number of Shilkas were converted in Soviet Union and delivered to the Soviet troops in Afghanistan with removed electronics for extra ammunition against insurgents, as well as extra NVD for night operations.

Introduced in Update "Dance of Dragons" as a new SPAA for Soviet/Russian tech tree. It is a modification of the ZSU-23-4, aimed at improving its effectiveness against infantry. It had its 1RL33 radar removed, and in its place it has double the ammunition load. This makes it capable of using its insane fire rate more effectively, but removed its anti-air targeting system. Additionally, a night sight was added. Although it might sound tedious in-game, but considering for its battle rating with late-WWII or Korean War propellers/jets, it can do surprising well on intercepting these targets with more than enough ammunition to tear them into pieces, while the 23 mm autocannon could still harass enemy targets or sometimes shatter them.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back
Hull9 / 9 / 7
Turret8 / 8 / 8
Crew4 people
Visibility341 %

Like any Shilka, the overall protection is next to none. As a SPAA, in most cases the vehicle would not likely need to advance to the most heated frontline, thus the overall protection is nowhere sufficient to stop any bullets above .50 cal, let alone cannon or autocannon shells. Protection is not improved on the ZSU-23-4M2, thus it retains little protection like other Shilkas with armour plates less thick than 10 mm RHA.

The M2 variant also still retains mostly identical interior design of other Shilka with a crew of four inside, the ASU-85 based chassis and turret systems, except for the extra ammo storage. In many cases, any penetrating shots on the Shilka will lead to critical damage to the turret system if not to a sudden detonation due to the huge ammo storage with around 4,000 x 23 mm shells onboard.

Armour type:

Armour Front (Slope angle) Sides Rear Roof
Hull 9.4 mm (57°) 9.4 mm 9.4 mm (46°) Upper
9.4 mm (22°) Lower
9.4 mm
Turret 8.9 mm (23°) 8.9 mm (8-10°) 8.9 mm (1°) 8.9 mm
Cupola 8.9 mm 8.9 mm 8.9 mm 8.9 mm

Notes:

  • Suspension wheels are 20 mm thick while tracks are 15 mm thick.
  • Belly armour is 9.4 mm thick.

Mobility

Speedforward / back
AB55 / 8 km/h
RB and SB51 / 7 km/h
Number of gears5 forward
1 back
Weight20.7 t
Engine power
AB534 hp
RB and SB280 hp
Power-to-weight ratio
AB25.8 hp/t
RB and SB13.5 hp/t

The ZSU-23-4M2 has an average speed comparable to other vehicles, but it struggles with hills due to its weak power-to-weight ratio.

Game Mode Max Speed (km/h) Weight (tons) Engine power (horsepower) Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Forward Reverse Stock Upgraded Stock Upgraded
Arcade 55 8 20.7 398 534 19.23 25.8
Realistic 51 7 248 280 11.98 13.53

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference
AB4 047 → 5 208 Sl icon.png
RB3 809 → 4 902 Sl icon.png
SB5 330 → 6 859 Sl icon.png
Total cost of modifications77 500 Rp icon.png
130 000 Sl icon.png
Talisman cost2 000 Ge icon.png
Crew training78 000 Sl icon.png
Experts270 000 Sl icon.png
Aces1 100 Ge icon.png
Research Aces670 000 Rp icon.png
Reward for battleAB / RB / SB
150 / 180 / 250 % Sl icon.png
190 / 190 / 190 % Rp icon.png
Modifications
Mobility Protection Firepower
Mods new tank traks.png
Tracks
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank suspension.png
Suspension
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank break.png
Brake System
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank filter.png
Filters
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank transmission.png
Transmission
Research:
8 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank engine.png
Engine
Research:
8 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png
Mods tank tool kit.png
Improved Parts
Research:
2 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods extinguisher.png
Improved FPE
Research:
2 300 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods tank reinforcement ussr.png
Crew Replenishment
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank horizontal aiming.png
Horizontal Drive
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
23mm_ussr_HEIT_ammo_pack
Research:
4 000 Rp icon.png
Cost:
6 500 Sl icon.png
165 Ge icon.png
Mods tank cannon.png
Adjustment of Fire
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods tank ammo.png
23mm_ussr_APIT_ammo_pack
Research:
3 600 Rp icon.png
Cost:
5 800 Sl icon.png
150 Ge icon.png
Mods new tank vertical aiming.png
Elevation Mechanism
Research:
6 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
11 000 Sl icon.png
270 Ge icon.png
Mods art support.png
Artillery Support
Research:
8 700 Rp icon.png
Cost:
14 000 Sl icon.png
360 Ge icon.png

Armaments

Main armament

4 x 23 mm AZP-23 cannon
Two-plane stabilizer
Reduces the swing of the gun in two planes while moving
Ammunition4 000 rounds
Belt capacity500 rounds
Reloadbasic crew → aces
1.3 → 1.0 s
Fire rate850 shots/min
Vertical guidance-4° / 85°
Main article: AZP-23 (23 mm)

The ZSU-23-4M2 is armed with the AZP-23 quad-mount autocannons, known as the sewing machine due to its iconic firing sound. Although the sound from the firing can sometimes deter enemy aircraft, players who understand the rather curved trajectory of the 23 mm autocannon will have an easy time taking down the Shilka. Sudden attack with the autocannons is always the best idea to use the vehicle. Leave the shells for aircraft instead as the penetration of 23 mm shells are rather disappointing, sometimes barely able to penetrate NATO tanks from their sides.

23 mm AZP-23 (x4) Turret rotation speed (°/s) Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode Capacity (Belt) Fire rate Vertical Horizontal Stabilizer Stock Upgraded Full Expert Aced Stock Full Expert Aced
Arcade 4,000 (500) 850 -4°/+85° ±180° Two-plane 61.6 85.3 103.6 114.6 121.9 5.20 4.60 4.24 4.00
Realistic 41.6 49.0 59.5 65.8 70.0

Ammunition

  • Default: API-T · HEF-I
  • HEFI-T: HEF-I · HEFI-T · HEF-I · API-T
  • APIT: API-T · API-T · API-T · HEFI-T

Penetration statistics
Ammunition Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
10 m 100 m 500 m 1,000 m 1,500 m 2,000 m
HEF-I 6 6 4 3 2 2
API-T 51 48 36 26 18 13
HEFI-T 6 6 4 3 2 2
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
(m/s)
Projectile
mass (kg)
Fuse delay
(m)
Fuse sensitivity
(mm)
Explosive mass
(TNT equivalent) (g)
Ricochet
0% 50% 100%
HEF-I 980 0.18 0.1 0.1 28.49 79° 80° 81°
API-T 970 0.19 - - - 47° 60° 65°
HEFI-T 970 0.19 0.1 0.1 20.02 79° 80° 81°

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the ZSU-23-4M2
Full
ammo
1st
rack empty
2nd
rack empty
3rd
rack empty
Visual
discrepancy
8 (+8) 0 (+8) 0 (+8) No

Usage in battles

The Mudrock Grinder

Before players have access to the more air-defense-capable variant of Shilka, players will have to remember a thumb of rule - the ZSU-23-4M2 (hereafter, 4M2) is not the greatest anti-tank vehicle, any variant of them. Although the 23 mm autocannon has rather disappointing penetration against well-armor targets, they are extremely lethal to any aircrafts within 2 km radius, as well as light vehicles; this will also be a good idea to take the 4M2 variant as the lead-in vehicle to Shilka or any Soviet SPAA before Strela-10M2 or 2S6 as it requires luring to be most efficient against any targets that have to utilize its elevation angle.

As infantry is not part of targets in-game, 4M2 will have to face armored targets from time to time; for its battle rating, this translates to "doomsday tanks" with rather thick side protection even against high-caliber cannon i.e T29/30/34 series and Tiger II series, sometimes even the Maus or M103. The penetration of 23 mm autocannon is nowhere close to the protection of any of these vehicles, thus taking the 4M2 as a flanking fire support vehicle isn't too viable; while the gun can shatter lighter targets, but in most cases it will take players some time to gun down MTs, especially those with oval hull or sufficient protection, this also means enemy players can come up and gun down 4M2 with relatively ease to save their teammate. MG34 or MG3 might not be a threat for the vehicle, but any vehicle with .50 caliber machine gun and above will have easy time damaging M2 with relatively ease even at UFP; considering that there are 4000 rounds of 23 mm shells onboard (the magazines and spares behind the turret), any explosive shells with direct hits on the vehicle is more than enough to set a major firework show for the enemy team. While taking out MT/HT tracks are always a viable option for kill assists or stalling their advance, it is better to hunt down light vehicles instead as they are nowhere sufficient to save themselves from the fearsome RoF from a quad 23 mm autocannon, any LT/IFV/APCs or fellow SPAAs would be a good prey for 4M2. For its previously intended role - SPAA, due to the lack of radar system that was traded for the extra ammo belts onboard, players can take 4M2 as a "Wirbelwind on steroids" with very similar characteristics - quad-mount gun and loads of ammunition; but most of all, be sure to lure enemy aircrafts into 2 km radius, while the muzzle velocity of AZP-23 cannon needs some time to get used to due to its curved trajectory, the sheer firing sound that earned its nickname "sewing machine" and the caliber themselves are more than enough to keep the sky clear from CAS assaults, sometimes even the buzzing sound of gun fire can deter enemy assaults.

As a field-modification, ZSU-23-4M2 changes its role from SPAA into a fire-support vehicle. While this holds back some of its capabilities where players have rely on their experience to lead-in onto enemy targets, this will also be the trainer for any future Shilkas - once being used to the playstyle even without the radar, 4M2 could still be a fearsome existence to beginning with; by gunning down scouts, stalling enemy columns and gunning any "flying bugs", it can still prove its worthy at this tier.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • High rate of fire, allows for area saturation
  • Relatively high top speed
  • Very high ammo count
  • Fast turret traverse speed
  • Can penetrate lightly armoured vehicles

Cons:

  • Thin armour, aircraft cannons will cause severe damage
  • Low power-to-weight ratio, struggles with slopes and off-road
  • Low penetration for 23 mm cannon, has trouble penetrating tanks from the side

History

The ZSU-23-4M2 was a field modification performed during the Afghanistan war. It was made to utilize its powerful cannons against infantry targets.

Media

Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.

See also

Related development
Vehicles with similar weapon systems

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


USSR anti-aircraft vehicles
GAZ-AAA  GAZ-AAA (4M) · GAZ-AAA (DShK)
BTR-152  BTR-152A · BTR-152D
Wheeled/Half-tracked  GAZ-MM (72-K) · ZiS-12 (94-KM) · ZiS-43
Radar SPAAG  ZSU-23-4 · ZSU-37-2
SAM  ZSU-23-4M4 · Strela-10M2 · 2S6 · Pantsir-S1
Other  ZSU-23-4M2 · ZUT-37 · ZSU-37 · BTR-ZD · ZSU-57-2
Czechoslovakia  M53/59
North Vietnam  ▂Phòng không T-34