The Soviet ZSU-57-2 'Sparka' self-propelled anti-aircraft gun | VEHICLE OVERVIEW

[@notworldwarthunder2035]

THIS... IS.... SPARKA!!!!

[@_Matsimus_]

Lol yes. Just....yes.

[@nomoss9600]

I mean it had to be said but honestly, was it worth it?

[@KilerkRazorclaw]

@@nomoss9600 there are some things done not for worth, but because you can.

[@williamzk9083]

@@_Matsimus_ The ZSU-52 was developed from the WW2 German 5.5 cm/77 (2.17") Gerät 58 which the Soviet captured after WW2. This used remotely aimed computer aimed 55mm guns. It never entered service but several were built. No one in WW2 managed to get a 50-57mm gun into service. The effect of gun flash and smoke on the gunner was to much. Smokeless and flashless propellant's helped but was not enough. The solution was to aim and range remotely and aim by electronic/electro mechanical computers similar to FLAK/AAA predictors used for larger guns till then. These tracked the target, calculated a firing solution and compensated for parallax between gun and optics. -The 5.5 cm/77 (2.17") Gerät 58 actually came out of the Dambusters raid where German 2.0cm guns had damaged and even shot down Lancaster but had lacked the destructive power to stop the Lancaster. 55mm was needed to bring down a 4 engines bomber with a single shot.

[@dexwy]

my fav. SPAAG is the R3-T20

[@johnwoods3184]

In the 70's and 80's I was in TOW Missile units. Our main targets in the Fulda Gap were the ZSU-23-4, any tank with multiple antennas, and the ZSU-57-2.

[@SP-sy5nq]

“Ivan our tanks will be unstoppable, I removed all the antennas!”

[@karl_franz_prince_and_emperor]

Cause more antennas = command vehicle right?

[@stefanobonaiuti8243]

​@@karl_franz_prince_and_emperorusually, yes. Or a priority target nevertheless

[@johnwoods3184]

@@karl_franz_prince_and_emperor Correct.

[@Semper_Iratus]

Johnny no tire?

[@shaymcquaid]

As an m47 Dragon gunner in the 80's, this and the ZSU 23-4 were the two SPAAG platforms we had to be able to ID. Glad I never had to use it.

[@VikingTeddy]

I'm not well versed in Soviet armor engineering, but that turret seems like a headache for the driver. Were such decapitation turrets common?

[@thomasgunther]

Having served on a ZSU 23-4, thats my favourite. At the time (1985) the 57-2 was not in service anymore in East Germany. I remember a colonel talking about the old times, how beautiful it looked when two tracer 57mm shells arced through the air. I still own an empty 57mm brass casing.

[@TJ24050]

On paper I’d have to say the Tunguska would be my favorite SPAAG. Tracked, two twin-barreled 30mm gast type auto-cannons and 8 ready to fire missiles. Radar controlled with optical back-up for the 30mm’s.

[@1bottlejackdaniels]

6.7 BR *vibes*

[@bloodking73]

7 years ago it used to be the best vehicle in the game lol

[@billevans7936]

❤

[@warhawk4494]

DA

[@rowanyuh6326]

7.0 now but can still side pen mbts at 10.0

[@skepticalmagos_101]

​@@rowanyuh6326 An Unexpected Threat 😂

[@vladimiraleksic4066]

I was a crew of one of these mashines in Serbia in 2001! Thanks for this video.

[@erikbender1967]

During the 1st Gulf War this and the Shilka were used not only for AAA, but also for anti-armor. This is the SKS of the AAA world. And I love the SKS!!!

[@samulilahnamaki3127]

If you go to Parola tank museum in Finland, there's a tank turret which has been test fired with this. And gone nicely through from the back. I think you can see that turret in Chieftains quick walk around video.

[@cameronboyce4695]

This is my favorite AA system. I think it stems from when I use to play Mercenaries: Playground of Destruction, and it was the largest vehicle you could have dropped in. I would sit atop a hill side and hammer enemy ground forces with it much like the U.S. did in Vietnam with the M42 Duster; which happens to be the other SPAA system i like. I guess i have a thing for large caliber auto cannon systems.

[@vannlo355]

Agreed

[@vannlo355]

Also I'm playing Mercenaries 2 on Xbox rn ;)

[@bilalsadiq1450]

Mercenaries was an amazing game, played it fairly recently using backwards compatibility on the Xbox One. My god, the hilarious animations when hijacking vehicles (real life vehicles usually, very accurately modelled) where the character jumps on top of the barrel or clambers all over Tanks etc. Amazing animation work for a PS2/original Xbox game.

[@KindredMixedBlade]

Thank you I was literally going to comment this. I got it on an emulator on my steam deck and I’m excited.

[@ivanstepanovic1327]

ZSU-57-2 was just a stop gap solution until newer and better SPAAA appeared and it turned out to be ZSU-23/4. Yugoslav army bought a certain number of ZSU-57-2 but for newer AAA decided to get Bofors with Giraffe radar. However, during Yugoslav wars in the 1990s, ZSU-57-2 was used for attack on ground targets and it has proven itself to be devastating in that role.

[@j.brendenstookey3437]

I can only imagine. Would hate to be on the other end of these two barrels, just devastating!

[@Henry_the_Eighth_]

My grandpa was a commander of one of these back in the Soviet era, he was in the Soviet Air Defense Forces. Like your videos, hello from Russia 🇷🇺

[@rdallas81]

Hello!

[@dannyjayke8695]

Slava russia 🇷🇺

[@Henry_the_Eighth_]

@@dannyjayke8695 Thanks, bro, best of luck to you

[@Daddo22]

One thing that we need to keep in mind here is the timing. This came into service in 1957, when the best SPAAG in "Western" service was still the M42 Duster, to which this was definitely superior, but the rate of improvement in aircraft (especially speed) was just astonishing and AAA had a lot to catch up to. The first SPAAG to surpass the Sparka's AA capabilities was the Czechoslovak M53/57 Ješterka, which traded the long-range performance and destructive power of twin 57 mm for the RoF and other benefits of twin 30 mm, which was mounted (dismountable) on a 6x6 wheeled chassis derived from Praga V3S truck - an off-road legend of Eastern Bloc. Only in the middle of 1960s have these SPAAGs gotten surpassed by M163 VADS and ZSU-23-4 Shilka, ending their quite short stay on the top of the ladder. Add a decade more and we see the introduction of Flakpanzer Gepard and only then development started on the M247 Sergeant York, where the use of M48 Patton hull was the case of giving outdated equipment a new life, rather than parts commonality like in case of ZSU-57-2 and T-54/55. This is IMHO far too big stretch for a fair comparison (York vs Sparka), but given similar quality FCS with radar guidance and proximity-fuzed-shells, the twin 57 mm would be superior (to twin 40 mm L70), because its range and explosive power advantages remain, while the RoF advantage (~2x in this case) of the lower calibre matter a lot less when you don't need to achieve a direct hit. Incorporating such changes to the ZSU-57-2 would be so radical, however, that the result would be a whole new vehicle, even though the powertrain and chassis (maybe add back the pair of wheels) could easily handle the increased weight and still keep up with latest Soviet MBTs, but the update for parts commonality would be logical even there. The AZP S-60 (towed carriage with the same gun) was designed to be operated in groups of 4 with a radar & fire control station guiding the whole group using wired connection, but I haven't seen any reference suggesting that ZSU-57-2 could hook up to this radar and even if it could, it'd only be feasible when stationary. I honestly think that the need for defense against aerial threats like helicopters, drones, loitering and smart ammunitions has a logical conclusion in SPAAs on chassis (/platform) of MBTs that they'll be integrated with on platoon level (e.g. 4 MBTs + 2 SPAAs), so that they're close enough to respond in time (much closer than any in-service SPAAG), and will be armed with 35-60 mm (maybe up to 76 mm like OTOMATIC, but that's starting to get too heavy) autocannon with proximity/programmable-fuzed shells (& APFSDS for armored ground targets) and quick-responding FCS, with IR and/or radar, capable of acquiring, identifying and engaging these (mostly) new threats. Although laser-based weapons may be an interesing option for them, I don't think they're versatile enough to be primary armament for this role, but maybe I'm wrong and there'll be a lazer powerful enough to destroy these threats in time. Inclusion of MANPADS is possible, but the added effective range wouldn't be very significant for 57-60 mm guns, while being useless against most of the new threats. IMHO this kind of SPAA would be much better place for platoon's commander and/or (recon) drone operator than what Rheinmetall is proposing with their new Panther KF51. ...what does this have to do with ZSU-57-2? This is the equivalent of what the ZSU-57-2's intended role was, but adjusted to requirements of modern battlefield - smarter, tougher, faster, closer.

[@sierravortec2494]

Used to love rocking these things in Mercenaries on PS2.

[@stealthboombox]

My favorite anti aircraft vehicle is the Gepard

[@yamatokurusaki5790]

Lizard

[@robertsmith4681]

When it comes to AA guns I've always had a fascination with the Shilka.

[@Constantin_91]

Same. I love the Shilka.

[@VikingTeddy]

Me too, ever since the original Operation Flashpoint. M163 VADS is a close second with it's Bert.

[@KaDaJxClonE]

During a SIFT style practice test about apache flight operations, the instructor threw one of these up to defend a high ground position. Memorable experience. I flew in below it's depression limits, spun up it's side and hit it with an IR missile and kept pushing onto the objective. Wingman did the same and we executed the mission like he wasn't there. Made RTB a lot easier since we didn't have to change our planned route, but we also didn't hit as many armored targets on objective as we planned. Win some lose some. AA is a higher priority than T-80's anyway.

[@martiedoherty5765]

Sounds like an exiting PC game.

[@matchesburn]

I still think the Otomatic was one of the most impressive SPAAGs in modern history. And just imagine how much better it would be with 20+ years of upgrades.

[@williamzk9083]

-Western Nations foolishly eliminated whole layers of defenses to save money. SPAAG's and SHORAD were completely eliminated. They thought they could rely only on fighter jets and some medium range or long range SAM. -Airburst round Guns whether 30, 35, 57 or 76 are now the only way to deal with drones and cruise missile cost effectively. They'll handle a shahad easily but will need new radar etc for micro drones. -The Italian 76mm gun can now not only fire proximity fused rounds but DART guided munitions and Vulkano 76 GPS rounds to 50km.

[@dominuslogik484]

@@williamzk9083 The US never eliminated SHORAD, though I do think it was a mistake abandoning that double barrel 40mm SPAAG since it had proximity fused shells which would have been very useful. maybe the new 50mm bushmaster could be used in a SHORAD role in the near future, I could see a different turret attached to the top of the M10 Booker utilizing a radar and the 50mm with proxy fuse shells.

[@williamzk9083]

@@dominuslogik484 The US does not have SHORAD now. It has MANPADs which have 1/3rd the range. Agree with everything else you say. All these guns will work if they have the correct radar and sensors to handle micro drones, air-burst or guided ammunition such as MADFIRES

[@dominuslogik484]

@@williamzk9083 The US does have SHORAD, the Stryker SHORAD entered service in 2020 to replace the Avenger system on the Humvee. "The Army also ordered Stryker SHORAD platform, equipped with four Stinger and two AGM-114L Longbow Hellfire missiles, 30 mm M230 chain gun, 7.62 M240 machine gun, and a 360-degree search radar system. First vehicles were delivered in 2021, and a total of 144 vehicles will be deployed by 2025." we may not have a lot of them at the moment but we are not directly involved in any major conflicts at the moment so they are taking their time with procurement. there is also the Stryker DE SHORAD which Raytheon developed and is equipped with a 50Kw laser for Air defense and 2 were delivered this year for crew training. the laser is for countering group 1-3 UAS (unmanned aerial systems) and has been proven to be able to intercept slower moving projectiles such as mortar shells.

[@cattledog901]

​@@williamzk9083The U.S. never gave up SHORAD, it was the Avenger system on a Humvee for a while. Now its the Stryker M SHORAD. Do some basic research before spewing more garbage.

[@AnthonyEvelyn]

North Vietnam got a lot of these 57mm AA guns. Was very brutal against US helicopters and low flying aircraft.

[@OleDiaBole]

Niice

[@dennisartstudio1389]

My favourite WW2 AA gun is definitely the Flak 18 - the good old 88mm. My favourite modern AA platform would either be the Gepard or the Panstir. Probably the Panstir.

[@martiedoherty5765]

Looks like a nasty infantry shredder!

[@TheSovietWombat]

I like the most modern versions of the PANTSIR platform, its something about 4 30mm guns with proximity munitions and 12 missiles that can hit targets 25km away

[@OasisTypeZaku]

I just love this thing. The T-55 is my favorite tank of the 50s and this is number 2. 2x57mm is pretty nasty. I like the turret shape, it's rounded edged tapering square is large and the driver's head is in something of an unfortunate position if the turret needs to turn suddenly 😂.

[@MrLrs2]

The twin 57's mounted on a modern vehicle with modern fire control systems and radar guidance would be an excellent drone killer on todays battel field.

[@Daddo22]

2S38 ZAK-57 Derivatsiya-PVO is what you're looking for, except it primarily works on IR instead of radar acquisition and tracking

[@владимирвасильев-д7д]

Терминатор 3 будет с двумя 57мм пушками

[@bruhbruh3847]

no need for 57mm if we just talk drones

[@Daddo22]

@@bruhbruh3847 indeed, but 57 mm is far more universal tool than spam of low caliber projectiles

[@vasilzahariev5741]

I like the Tunguska.

[@c1ph3rpunk]

Love mine, always starts, runs reliably and gets good enough mileage to drive it to & from Walmart for supply runs. Weapon depression is just barely low enough to help clear traffic when needed as well. Bit tough to get in the garage, but it’s heavy enough if needed I can just park on top of the wife’s ‘78 Gremlin.

[@gusgone4527]

Tracked Rapier always made my knees to wobbly. Such a sexy beast. It just looked right. I recall seeing it for the first time on Salisbury Plane while on exercise (80s). Love at first sight.

[@VincentNajger1]

Thankyou! I learned something today. Now I know the difference between 'live' tracks and 'dead' tracks.

[@richardscales9560]

Updated could be useful as anti drone system. Nice large calibre for proximity fused shells.

[@pyadav285]

For my favourite I am torn between the 88 mm flak and the Shilka.

[@audeobellicus]

To answer your question, I think the M247 Sargant York, specifically the testbed model with the mounted GAU-8 Avenger 30mm cannon is the coolest SPAA design ever, even though it was never adopted and only ever existed as testing platform.

[@Scott11078]

Have you heard of the T249 Vigilante?

[@branned]

The SGT York turned out to be bad.

[@stevecallagher9973]

gosh imagine having that directed at your foxhole in direct fire role! Btw that radio controlled model would make a great depth of field filming sequence chasing a human across a plain or something!

[@TheGregEgg]

The German 88 of WWII. An excellent, can do anything gun. Including AAA.

[@mtkoslowski]

BUK anti-aircraft missile system. Proven very effective against cruising Boeing 777ER aircraft.

[@1977Yakko]

I look at that vehicle and think to myself, wow, that's a deadly bowler hat that tank is wearing.

[@axlfrhalo]

My favorite AA system has to be the Italian OTOMATIC by OTO Melara, it's such a beauty.

[@BrochachoEnchilada]

I have no idea why, but I've always loved these things

[@thekringe4387]

Favorite SPAA…. Tied between the Skink and that Vietnamese T-34 AA. Both are very neat.

[@panzermkii7675]

In sci fi its a tied with the Hammer's Slammers Power Guns and the BOLO's Hellbore which both are LOS and swat aircraft and arty shells out of the art. IRL I like CRAM and Patroit.

[@VikingTeddy]

It's a toss up between the Shilka and M163 Vulcan ADS I fell in love with them ever since Operation Flashpoint: Cold War Crisis.

[@AN_PVS-2]

Ah hey Matt, I was jusr thinking about you. Its neat to see how some militaries are moving to heavy autocannons like the 50mm or 57mm S-68 being used in modern IFV concepts.

[@parrot849]

I built a 1/35 scale model of this vehicle a few years back. It was real challenge with the cramped interior design and ammunition stowage arrangement. If this vehicle in combat ever took an antitank round into the turret area, with the way the ammunition is stored the cook-off would spectacular 🔥.

[@chase_with_jase]

Old school but loved the German 12.8cm Flak Zwilling twin mount.

[@TacoSallust]

Great video, I've always wanted to know more about this platform!

[@shawnwolf9240]

I love this military platform. Keep up the amazing videos. Hello from whitehouse Texas

[@TheJimbodean67]

Here to give the M16 multiple gun motor carriage some love. Quad 50 cal can throw some lead down range. Most deadly is probably the zsu-23-4.

[@GoSlash27]

Allowing for the time period, my vote for ultimate air defense system would go to the WWII US Navy's 5"/ 38 caliber with the Mk. 37 director and VT proximity fuse.

[@maitreytelang2312]

My favorite SPAAG would be the 2K22 Tunguska from USSR / Russia. Goddamn, the trio of twin-30mm cannons, 8 SAMs, and it’s tracked nature, never fail to turn me on! In my opinion, it’s the best SPAAG out there.

[@AtheistOrphan]

TRIO of twin 30mm cannons? Er no, it has 2 × twin-barrel 30 mm 2А38M [ru] guns. (‘Trio’ means three). But I agree, it’s a beast!

[@maitreytelang2312]

@@AtheistOrphan Dude, read my comment. I said trio of twin-30mm cannons, 8 SAMs and it’s tracked nature.

[@AtheistOrphan]

@@maitreytelang2312 You did indeed say ‘Trio’, which is incorrect: - ‘Trio’ means THREE, ‘Twin’ means TWO. Therefore a ‘trio of twins’ means SIX (3 X 2 = 6). This has TWO twin-barrel cannons (or a duo if you prefer) making for a total of FOUR cannons (2 X 2 = 4).

[@maitreytelang2312]

@@AtheistOrphan My dude, I know trio denotes three. I, quite evidently, wrote that the three features (twin-30mm cannons, 8 SAMs and tracks) make it fabulous. Read my statement with punctuation and you'll understand brother.

[@ianwtheman]

Hilarious 😂

[@avnrulz]

I remember having to recognize the ZSU-23-4 for CTT.

[@alnotz]

Well, few people know that similarly to it's towed variant, the S-60 AAA system, the ZSU-57-2 battery could be made "guided", with radar fire control. The S-60 battery of six barrels and a PUAZO-6-60 optical range finder was connected to (usually) a SON-9 radar van otherwise known as the Firecan (US vietnam veterans know that well), similarly existed a variant called the Firewheel (URAL or KrAZ chassis) truck based system. Drawback, it had to be connected with cables to the ZSU-57-2 platforms having no microwave network like later gun and missile systems. Also existed a C3 vehicle based on the BTR-60, featuring long range antenna and microwave system to the higher air defence commands, but it appeared late and mostly used with Shilka/Gaskin and Gecko units.

[@TomNyon]

Finland got them in 1960 and we only got rid of them in 2006, replaced first by the t-55 marksman, and now marksman leopard 2.

[@humanbeing9079]

Another informative, entertaining vid from Mat as always

[@helmhamburgerhand]

Honestly a platform like this, based around flak/shrapnel munitions will probably need to make a comeback in modern combat. Effectively engage drones and entrenched infantry.

[@SeattleJeffin]

If you ask what is my favorite AA system that the Duster, I know it wasn't effective vs jets and was pretty obsolete as an AA gun when it was made, but luckily it never had to face aircraft and it was hell on wheels in a fire support role, but honestly I just think it looks cool. As far as most effective AA system in it's own era I would say the 5"/38 with radar director and proximity shells against the WWII aircraft it faced it was devestating.

[@williamzk9083]

The Duster would still be effective today with modern radar and fire control systems and ammunition. This market has been taken by the slightly less powerful Italian 76mm naval gun which now manages 120rpm. It can fire DART guided anti aircraft/missile ammunition and Vulkano 76 GPS rounds to 76km. -The US is now testing MADFIRES guided 57mm rounds with its own seeker firewood from the standard Mk1110 Bofors at 220 RPM. Deadly with a muzzle velocity of 1200m/s it can get to 5km in 5 seconds. -Duster could probably get to 8km in 8 seconds with a sub-caliber round enough to take out a Ka-52 at realistic ranges.

[@therealboofighter]

My favourite would be the quad .50 mount. It may not be the most powerful but it looks so cool.

[@therealboofighter]

M45 I think it’s called. It had the nick name , “meat chopper”.

[@bigh9809]

ZSU-23 quad. Excellent.

[@FrankBruce]

Incredible machine, makes me wonder about the heat generated and how long those barrels will last, I think one of their most interesting units are the old Tunguska 2К22 "Тунгуска" which is very modern and my humble guess is that they are being used side by side with the german Gepard

[@FrankBruce]

Very true, @@dobbo7690 in no time these units are defending valuable infraestructure which is a smart use of them!

[@luftwaffles274]

​@@dobbo7690 The combined rate of fire of both guns is 1100 rpm, it's actual rate of fire is actually 550 if per gun separately. Also 3 min is actually quite long even for 1100rpm. each Gepard has about 640 rounds of AA ammunition. 640 x 50 = 32,000 150,000 / 32,000 = 4.68 Each of the Gepards delivered would have about 4.6 reloads each. If not more if they kept some in reserve.

[@williamzk9083]

@@dobbo7690 The ammunition is back in production. Gepards usually engage in a 6 burst cycle. They can do less (say 3) or more (say 20) but 6 is optimal. .

[@ЮрийБабенко-с8ъ]

That RC one is cute ass hell😍

[@ScreamingSturmovik]

people like to say that these things are "useless" but then they show up in some random fight and everyone says there great for how they used them which typically was infantry support because when puck-up trucks are running around with Dshk and ZU-23-2 having some armour is great

[@warhawk4494]

Great video on a cold war beast

[@peterga3658]

Greece has some twin brl anti aircraft gun called Artemis heard they testing bringing those back in action but with a sgort range radar on them to take down drones

[@soumyajyotimukherjee4752]

The opening music is so great on this episode. I'd use the Millenium 27mm AHEAD gun, though i believe its mostly a naval weapon system.

[@DJ1573]

AHEAD is being implemented on german wheeled and tracked vehicles!

[@rogershaftly6976]

I mean if I have a choice of sci fi AA gotta go with the classic twin linked heavy bolter, lol

[@nonpartisangunowner4524]

Playing Battlefield Vietnam, I always knew this as the “Zizu”.

[@ProfessorNiiji]

4:09...Family fun . Every family needs one

[@abialo2010]

that ak630 they use on their ships absolutely rips. you should do a video about that. really puts our cwis to shame

[@jpjones5880]

More of these vids matt! Love it

[@valvlad3176]

09:35 rate of fire was never an issue. ZSU57-2 never fights alone. But the range and the lethality were critical. NK still use them as radar-operated. You should be very stealth to evade 57mm round when it comes to you.

[@alnotz]

This platform is still not obsolete as a weapon, even for AA if it could be supplied with detection equipment and fire control. In the era of drones and small flying stuff AAA is still useful. 57mm has an excellent range however, and explosive power with proxy fuse

[@Ghostmaxi1337]

Oh, my favorite are the Ostwind and a nice 5 cm Flak 41 L/67.

[@paintnamer6403]

I like the idea of sitting in the sun and breeze and seeing what's going on, so the M42 Duster is fine with me. If it's raining I'm going home!

[@foivosapostolos1211]

There are videos on this platform showing the destructive effect of the 57 round on ground targets including light tanks

[@domtweed7323]

This thing would be extremely effective for urban warfare/anti-sniper roles. Being able to rotate the gun quickly/high up, a lot of protection from small arms, a rapid rate of fire, a round that'll go through the lot of walls. It's just perfect for that. Also it's based on T54, so easy to get spare parts, and relatively light for crossing bridges.

[@No1harris_98]

You definitely have to respect the engineering of all nations especially at these times.

[@marko4557]

I was in service in Finnish army 1998-99 and I was last age group who was trained for this system 🙂 57mm douple barrel is beast... if you hit the target...

[@chadimirputin2282]

The ZSU - 57 single barrel AA has had a resurgence and is currently being used in the 404 by the lpr and dpr.

[@Goran1138]

kinda ironic, that ZSU also acronym for "Armed forces of Ukraine"

[@chadimirputin2282]

@Goran1138 even more ironic it's being used against them for being very naughty nazi boys.

[@fuckinantipope5511]

​​​@@chadimirputin2282shut the hell up Vatnik

[@Goran1138]

@@chadimirputin2282 Both sides of this war used it with many other outdated Soviet equipment. Even Mosin rifles and Maxim MG

[@nastystang113]

Yes Nazis who follow orders from a Jewish President. Do you even hear yourself? Oh wow you found some pictures of Ukrainian Nazis. Have you found the same of Russian Nazis? Or are you just burying your head in the sand? How about Putin’s horse having swastikas on its bridle?

[@Kaldosthesergal]

Favorite air defense system is definitely star streak

[@bosnbruce5837]

One of the most iconic cold war / Red Square Victory Day parade / vehicles.

[@jasonscarborough94]

The2k22 Tunguska or Type 95 SPAAA if we're talking my favorite real world AA vehicles, Probably the Soviet Flak Track from Red Alert 2 or the CC-6 Pitbull from C&C 3 if we're talking fictional AA vehicles.

[@frankstanks]

I have a model kit of this and I’m looking forward to building it. There is a special place in my heart for anti-aircraft tanks because there are a lot of really cool looking ones from many different nations and I have kits for some of those too like the Shilka, Gepard, Sgt. York etc.

[@zoolkhan]

pretty sure i would go with gepard :)

[@orguksilverbeard7658]

My own favorite is a bit of a stretch as far as air defense guns go, is the Phalanx CIWS. Ridiculously high fire rate with advanced targeting systems makes it lethal against both missiles and aircraft.

[@stevemcjob]

8:20 The opportunity for catastrophic ammunition detonation in this thing. Imagine operating it and looking in any direction and seeing shells stacked up all around you. It's like working inside a giant grenade ready to go off.

[@dominuslogik484]

saw one of these in person at the (odd place to put it) naval history museum in Tallin Estonia when visiting their. it was an interesting museum and with it mostly being naval stuff it was weird seeing a random SPAA.

[@AniMageNeBy]

Well, since it was pretty interesting, I'll give it a like, just as you asked.

[@ryelor123]

The point of it, like most things made during the cold war, was to be useful after nuclear strikes and initial waves took out all the good stuff. When Cessnas are doing reconnaissance and bombing, its probably pretty effective.

[@Dr.Strangelewd]

In WT this baby is giving self-propelled a whole new meaning.

[@jamesevans886]

The problem with all military hardware is that they have only a limited time in the sun. Unfortunately for the ZSU-57-2 It was born on a mid winters day. When you compare it to a contemporary such as the M42 Duster SPAAG with its twin 40's, it can stand tall. For pure slug throws, are the Finnish SPAAG family. The Fins wanted a replacement for their ZSU-57-2s. They purchased British Marksman turret equipped with twin Swedish 35mm. The turrets were then married to Polish T-55AM hulls. This Marksman/T-55 has a documented hit percentage of 52.44%. When Finland took delivery of their Leopard 2A6, they replaced the T-55 hulls with retiring Leopard 2A4 FIN hulls. The current version of the Marksman turrets is being married up to CV-90 hulls. For the modern era, it's perhaps too early to pick one as long as its armament uses both missiles and guns. This also includes the BMP-T2, which apparently can carry a combination of ground target and AA missiles.

[@williamzk9083]

The Finnish Marksman is more advanced than the Gepard in that it has a latter version of the Swiss oerlikon (now Rhinemetal) 35mm gun that adds programmable air burst capability. I don't believe that when the Gepards were upgraded in 2006 with a new fire control that programming rings were added to the muzzle velocity sensor. It may have been but I don't believe it was. -The problem with these 35mm guns is that with a range of 3.5km against aerial targets and 5km against slow or ground targets they are out ranged by Ka-52 or Mi 28 Helicopter ATGM like Vikihr and LMUR with nearly 8km to 10km respectively. Bugets is the main reason they have disappeared (like SHORAD) but the range issue was a good excuse. -Guns are now proving to be the only cost effective way to deal with cruise missiles and medium sized drones. With appropriate sensors and radar they will be the only way to deal with microdrones. Skyranger would be the forerunner here. .

[@jamesevans886]

@williamzk9083 Thanks for your reply. It still remains my favourite SPAAG as it is just remarkable that tiny Finland came up with such an amazing hybrid solution. But it's just a slug thrower, which to me has only limited value on today's battlefield, mainly for close in defence. The best system for today is a SPAAG that incorporates a long-range missile system. No matter how good the slug thrower is, it will be out ranged by a missile solution and sooner rather than than later. In the close in defence, the volume of fire to me is highly important given the very short reaction times they face. The 30mm to 40mm gun class offers this volume of fire as long as they are the current generation of gun and ammunition. However, I don't dismiss the heavier calibre gun either. There is a new class of specialist multi-role vehicles that are being tried out, such as the BMP-T2. It's in this class of vehicle that the rapid-fire heavier calibre guns belong. Firstly, the 30mm to 40mm class is not a goto size for bunker busting. Secondly, these specialist vehicles must equally contribute to the control of the air space. They generally may have any combination of ground attack and AA missiles for a total of 4 to 6 missiles. So they easily fulfil the middle ranges between long-range AA missiles and short-ranged 30mm to 40mm class. A multi layered air defence is always a prudent concept. The SPAAG system has come a long way since WW2. While the concept has not changed that much over time, the means of delivery has changed much. Most modern militaries are under pressure to perform better than they they do now, but with less. This is why systems like the BMP-T2 have spiked my interest.

[@samulilahnamaki3127]

The change of Marksman turrets to Leo A4 hulls just happened a couple of years ago. And will probably last for the duration of turrets, so there is no need to change them to CV90 hulls. At least I'm not aware of any such plans at the moment. CV90 has it's own AD version with Bofors 40mm gun and radar.

[@jamesevans886]

@samulilahnamaki3127 Thanks for your reply. My wife Saara is Finnish, and with a son and grandson returning to Finland, I am well aware of all this. I also from a military family. What surprises us is how many similarities the Finnish and Australian militaries share in common. One of the issues facing Finland back then was the Soviet neutrality pack they signed, and Russia's belief that they inherited the pack. At the time Finland wanted a tank with composite armour, Russia did not export to satellites at time. They certainly would not get the T-80 / T-84, but they might have settled for the T-64. So, they eventually struck a deal with the Netherlands and Germany. However, with the long negotiations with Russia mean Finland got their Leopard 2A4s very late. It also meant an even longer waiting for the Leopard 2A6 to arrive before they had spare Leopard 2A4 hulls spare so they could work towards phasing out the ZSU-57-2. We tend to forget today that the ZSU-57-2 was outstanding in its time. Its main competition from the West was the US M42 Duster armed with twin 40mm guns on a Waker Bulldog tank hulls. Finland has always tried to improve what they were able to get. Such as upgrading their Vickers tanks to T-26 standard or the FM1 and FM2 Modernisation programs involving several countries West of the Russian border. Oddly, with the Finnish tank crews of time I have spoken with, they preferred the T-55 to the T-72. I certainly admire Finland with their ongoing SPAAG program as they have produced extremely good quality vehicles regardless of the small size of their population.

[@robertpace8338]

The Flakpanzer Gepard is probably the best SPAA gun ever created.

[@Marinealver]

ZSU-23 for me, come on a QUAD BARRELED Anti-Aircraft Tank.

[@biamboibifuro817]

My favorite SPAAG is the ZSU23-4.

[@ComradeMeow]

I actually designed a vehicle cosmetically based on this thing for my sci-fi book.

[@edwardloomis887]

By the time I was in the Army in the mid-1980s, this model was included in visual identification cards, but there seemed to be more concern directed toward the ZSU 23-4. Gun systems seemed less of a threat to fast movers, and the 23-4 was more of a threat to helicopters and ground targets.

[@cross3052]

I always liked this on the PS2 Mercenaries game.

[@njw1977]

Can you do a video on the USA version of this? My dad was in the USMC in the early 50's and he was TC on one of those. I think its called the duster???

[@blackmagnetica8714]

Please do a video on the Khrizantema-S missile carrier

[@sunnyssundries]

The ZSU-57-2 saw extensive use by the North Vietnamese national people’s army, during the 1972 Easter Offensive in particular. One advantage the ZSU-57-2 might have had over the ZSU-23-4 is a theoretically higher effective range. That’s also why the Germans in WW2 preferred the Flakpanzer IV Ostwind with a single 37mm FlaK 43 over the Wirbelwind with it’s 20mm FlaK-Vierling (Quad) 38. Apart from AA usage (It definately posed a threat to some helicopters like the UH-1), the Sparka could be used against infantry and lightly armored targets up to the M113 apc. Addendum: Imho the 2k22 Tunguska was the best deal of Russian AA SPGs, which utilises missiles as main armament, but also sports 2 30mm auto cannons. The concept is somewhat similar to the German Gepard AA SPG, which had 2 35mm auto cannons as main armament, and an attachable Stinger missiles system as secondary weaponry.

[@jasonz7788]

AWESOME!!

[@bremnersghost948]

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Sgt Matt. Can I request a video on the Challenger Marksman please? A modification I can see happening to the C2 once its replaced by the C3.

[@joncaulkett5198]

My choice for an AA system would be the Gepard with added Roland missiles.

[@Sakai070]

Seems like a solid anti drone platform, especially for perhaps. Some of the larger ones that are at a bit more altitude. Paired with a radar or some kind of good optics would be ideal

[@brucegraner5901]

As you mentioned, in today's reality the ZSU-57-2 and its kin seems more like a light tank/Terminator option, perhaps much better suited to urban armor warfare if not for modern missile technology. If I remember correctly, the American Duster anti-aircraft vehicle served very well in an anti-infantry roll during the Korean War. I enjoyed the video.