Soviet Air Defense or "It really sucks to be an airdale over Russia!"

[dragoon500ly]

FM 100-2-1...what would I do without you!

The goal of the Soviet tactical air defense system is to reduce the effectiveness of enemy air attacks. This is achieved by forcing enemy aircraft to expend their ordnance while still beyond the effective range of their weaponry or by destroying the aircraft when they come within effective range of Soviet air defense weapons.

There are two important concepts in Soviet tactical air defense. First, air defense is considered to be an integral element of the combined arms concept. Secondly, air defense of the ground forces is achieved by a variety of weapons and equipment that together form a system of air defense.

Soviet air defense does not consider it to be necessary to destroy enemy aircraft. The Soviets realize the value of preventing enemy air crews from pressing their attacks or to force them to prematurely expend their ordnance. If their air defense can prevent NATO airpower from from delivering their ordnance on target, then the Soviets consider their mission to have been accomplished.

A Motor Rifle Battalion (BMP) has an air defense platoon equipped with 9 SA-7/-14 MPADS. A Motor Rifle Company (BTR) has three SA-7/-14 MPADS. Tank Companies do not have MPADS, but are equipped with turret-mounted antiaircraft machine guns.

Soviet tank and motor rifle regiments have an organic air defense battery made up of a headquarters, a platoon of four ZSU-23-4 SP AA guns, a platoon of four SA-9 SP SAM launchers (being replaced by SA-13 SP SAM launchers) as well as support and service elements. The regimental headquarters has a air defense squad with three SA-7/-14 MPADS.

Soviet tank and motor rifle divisions have a SAM Regiment made up of a headquarters, support and service elements and five SAM batteries each equipped with 4 SA-6 or SA-11 TEL and 3 SA-7/-14 MPADS, a further 6 SA-7/-14 MPADS are assigned to the regimental headquarters/service elements.

A combined arms and tank armies are supported by 1-2 SAM Brigades made up of a 3 SAM battalions (each with 3 batteries) with a total of 27 SA-4/SA-12 TELs.

A front will have a further 2 SAM brigades (organized as the army brigades).

[95th Rifleman]

Don't forget the Tunguska, it was available in the late 90's and was (and still is in the newer variants) one of the most lethal mobile ADA platforms.

[dragoon500ly]

The ZU-23-2 mounts twin 23mm cannons on a towed, two wheeled carriage. The cannons are mounted side by side between large ring-type trunnions. In appearance the ZU-23-2 can be confused with the older ZPU-2 14.5mm mount; however the shape and placement of the ZU-23's ammunition boxes (at right angles to the carriage) and its prominent muzzle flash suppressors are distinguishing features.

The ZU-23-2 is a highly mobile, air droppable weapon. A battalion of 18 is organic to the Soviet paratroop division and it is the division's principal AAA weapon. It has an effective engagement range of 2,500m, a max horizontal range of 7,000m. Max cyclic rate of fire is 800-1,000rds per barrel and a basic load of 2,400rds is standard.

In its 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, holding a 50rd belt, 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 ending link of the last old cartridge which automatically interrupts the firing cycle when it reaches the feedway and signals the bolt to remain open.

In the tank and motor rifle divisions, the ZU-23-2 is used to provide close-in air defense for the SA-4/SA-6 brigade (two ZU-23-2s per firing battery).

[Tegyrius]

Did the ZSU-30-6 exist anywhere beyond the Soviet Vehicle Guide and Red Storm Rising?

- C.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Tegyrius

Did the ZSU-30-6 exist anywhere beyond the Soviet Vehicle Guide and Red Storm Rising?

- C.

Nope....although there are photos of a ZSU-23-4 chassis fitted with a Red Navy AK-630 mount, but those photos....hmmmm...have a photoshop feel.

[dragoon500ly]

The ZSU-23-4 is a self-propelled antiaircraft system with four liquid-cooled 23mm cannons mounted on the front of a large, flat, armored turret. The chassis borrows from other Soviet armored vehicles and the suspension system resembles that of the PT-76 and ASU-85. The driver sits on the left front of the hull and the rest of the crew (commander, gunner and radar operator) are located in the turret. The GUN DISH fire control radar is mounted on the rear of the turret and can be folded down during travel.

A number of different variations exist of the basic ZSU-23-4, these are primarily distinguished externally be the types of stowage boxes on the turret and minor modifications in the mounting of the guns.

A platoon of four ZSU-23-4s are assigned along with four SA-9 SAM launchers to the antiaircraft battery of tank and motor rifle regiments to cover the deadspace of the SA-6 SAM TEL in the division air defense umbrella. Two ZSU-23-4s are usually assigned to support of each of the two first echelon battalions, each weapon normally separated by 200 meters and typically travelling about 400 meters behind the battalion's leading element.

The ZSU-23-4 is not amphibious, but it can ford depths of up to one meter. During river assault operations, the ZSU-23-4 would be ferried to the far bank immediately after the leading companies.

The ZSU-23-4 has the capability to both acquire and track low-flying aircraft and helicopters with an effective AA engagement range of 2,500 meters. It is also capable of firing on the move due to its integrated radar/gun stablization system. The high frequency operation of the GUN DISH radar emits a very narrow beam that provides for excellent aircraft tracking while being difficult to detect or evade. However, such a narrow frequency also dictates a limited range (max range of 20km), this can be compensated by linking the system to other long range acquisition radars in the area. The 23mm cannons can also be used against lightly armored ground vehicles.

The four guns are water cooled and have a maximum cyclic rate of 800-1,000 rounds per barrel. However, the guns are normally fired in 2-3 round bursts in order to reduce ammunition expenditure and prolong barrel life. Each barrel has a ammunition box holding a 500 round belt and 2,000 rounds are stored on board. Supply trucks follow the ZSU-23-4 at a distance of 1.5-2.5km behind and carry an additional 3,000 rounds per ZSU-23-4. Two types of ammunition normally mixed at a ratio of three Frag-HE-T rounds per one API-T round. An HEI-T round is also available.

Electronic target acquisition, tracking and ranging are automated and an on board computer determines superelevation and azimuth lead. Conventional optical sights are also available.

The ZSU-23-4 is air transportable by the An-22 or Il-76. The ZSU-23-4 is afforded a degree of protection by the thin armor (8.9-9.4mm thickness). Collective NBC protection is provided by a radiation detection and warning system and an air filtration and overpressure system.

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

[Tegyrius]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

Nope....although there are photos of a ZSU-23-4 chassis fitted with a Red Navy AK-630 mount, but those photos....hmmmm...have a photoshop feel.

Thought so. Just checkin'.

Hm. Speaking of ADA, does anyone remember reports from Chechnya that the Russians were deploying AAA assets in the infantry support role because tank and IFV guns didn't have the elevation to engage Chechen troops on the upper floors of buildings? Or am I imagining that?

[James Langham]

Originally Posted by Tegyrius

Did the ZSU-30-6 exist anywhere beyond the Soviet Vehicle Guide and Red Storm Rising?

- C.

I regarded it as a prototype design that was rushed into production in 1995. The ZSU30-2 was another candidate in the same programme and was also pushed into production. As an alternative have one replace the other as the first was unsatisfactory in service.

[dragoon500ly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=HaYCjfvHIsQ

[dragoon500ly]

Here's one of a US Quad.50 firing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=aczpm9r-K18

[dragoon500ly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=o1NHzjz104s

[dragoon500ly]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=dgB0XGV_xZc

[Matt Wiser]

Find the Gulf War Air Power Survey: it should have what you're looking for. It should be in any decent college library. A couple things are worth mentioning: Baghdad was more heavily defended than Murmansk was, and had twice the density of SAMs and AAA than the most heavily defended targets in Eastern Europe. And yet, total losses to all Iraqi air defense (SAMs/AAA) and MiGs (Scott Speicher) were 49; both fixed-wing and helos.