Warszawa 2025-04-05
Anti-aircraft self-propelled gun ZSU-57-2.
The ZSU-57-2 PLOT gun is self-propelled, on a tracked chassis. The prototype of the vehicle was developed in 1955. Production was carried out in the period 1955-1960. 2,023 units were produced.
After World War II, a fascination with missile weapons, radars and nuclear weapons took hold. Analysts predicted that barrel weapons would fade into oblivion. However, local conflicts showed that barrel weapons are still important. The idea of creating the ZSU-57-2 PLOT gun was to increase the mobility of the 57 mm anti-aircraft gun. Classic, single guns of this type were still used.
In order to make the vehicle as mobile as possible, a tracked chassis was used. The drive was powered by one diesel engine, 12-cylinder, 4-stroke, V-type W-54, with a power of 520 HP (382 kW), at 2,000 rpm. The drive system used a mechanical transmission. The main fuel tank has a capacity of 640 liters. There is also an additional tank with a capacity of 285 liters. Many parts and components of the T-54 tank were used to build the vehicle.
The vehicles are made of 15 mm thick rolled sheets. The sheets are joined by welding. The length of the vehicle is 6.22 m. Total length is 8.48 m. Width is 3.27 m. Height is 3.27 m. Ground clearance is 0.43 m. Weight in combat condition is 28,000 kg. Maximum speed is 50 km/h. Maximum range is 420 km. The vehicle can ford water up to 1.40 m deep. The vehicle can cross ditches up to 2.70 m wide. The vehicle can overcome vertical obstacles up to 0.80 m high. The approach angle is up to 30 degrees. The crew consists of 6 soldiers.
The vehicle is armed with two 57 mm coupled cannons. The cannon has the designation S-68 wz 1952. The ammunition supply is 300 pieces.
The ZSU-57-2 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun is suitable for combating aircraft that do not exceed the speed of sound and fly at an altitude of up to 4,000 m. The vehicle can also fire at vehicles moving on the ground, unarmored or lightly armored. The ZSU-57-2 gun was first publicly demonstrated at a parade in Moscow in November 1957. The vehicles were delivered to Warsaw Pact countries, Arab states and others. The vehicles were also delivered to countries such as Cuba, Vietnam, Finland. To date (2025), the vehicles are used in Egypt and the countries of the Middle East. The Polish Army also used the ZSU-57-2 vehicles. At least four vehicles are exhibits in museums.
Written by Karol Placha Hetman