ZPU-4
China: Type 56
Overview
ZPU-4
Iraqi ZPU-4 during the 1991 Gulf War.
Source: US Marine Corps (Lance Cpl. Lanham) -
© public domain
1948 (Soviet state trials)
Mid 1950's - at least 1980's (Type 56)
China
North Korea
Romania
Type 56 (Chinese production)
MR-4 (Romanian production)
PKM-4 (Polish service)
Description
Introduction
The ZPU-4 is an early Cold War era towed anti-aircraft gun of Soviet origin. Development started in the later stages of World War 2 and it was adopted in 1949. The smaller ZPU-2 was developed at the same time as the ZPU-4. The ZPU-4 has been produced under license in China as the Type 56 and in Romania as the MR-4.
Design
The ZPU-4 is the largest version of the ZPU series of towed anti-aircraft guns. It is based on a four wheel chassis and is supported by four jacks when in the firing position. Four 14.5mm KPVT heavy machine guns are fitted, which are operated by a single person. The large volume of fire and stable firing platform made it the most effective version against aircraft, but present day the smaller ZPU-2 is valued as a better system to create makeshift gun trucks.
ZPU-4
ZPU-4 quad 14.5mm anti-aircraft gun.
Source: One half 3544 -
© public domain
Firepower
The KPVT heavy machine gun fires the 14.5x114mm round at a cyclic rate of fire of 600 rpm. The maximum effective anti-aircraft range is only 1.4 km, although its slant range is about 5 km. The ZPU-4 is very effective against ground targets due to its volume of fire and ability to pierce the armor of most Cold War era armored personnel carriers.
Mobility
The ZPU-4 is rather mobile due to its limited weight and size. It can be manhandled over short distances and may be towed by light vehicles. A dedicated ZTPU-4 vehicle mount allowed installation in the BTR-152 armored personnel carrier, creating a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun.
Users
The ZPU-4 was common in the USSR and Eastern Europe during the early stages of the Cold War. A direct copy was produced in China. In the USSR and Eastern Europe the ZPU-4 was replaced by the newer ZU-23. An while few remained during the later stages of the Cold War, the ZPU-4 was still in use in the Afghan war in the 1980's. Large quantities of ZPU-4 were exported to Asia, Africa and the Middle East and remain in widespread use. Many of these have been fitted to vehicles and are mainly intended for use against ground targets.
Details
Media
ZPU-4
British soldiers examine the contents of an Iraqi transport truck towing a ZPU-4 on the Basra-Kuwait Highway during Operation Desert Storm.
Source: US Navy
Copyright: Public domain
Type 56
Type 56 towed anti-aircraft gun of the Bangladesh army.
Source: Mujib Mehdy
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
ZPU-4
Captured former Iraqi ZPU-4 towed anti-aircraft gun with guns at high elevation.
Source: US Marine Corps
Copyright: Public domain
ZPU-4
Close-up of ZPU-4 towed anti-aircraft gun on display in a museum.
Source: George Shuklin
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
MR-4
Romanian MR-4 anti-aircraft gun deployed during the Romanian revolution in 1989.
Source: FORTEPAN / Urbán Tamás
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
ZPU-4
ZPU-4 modified with armor mounted on the roof of a Lebanese M113A1 armored personnel carrier.
Source: Samer Kassis
Copyright: Public domain
Related articles
Vladimirov KPV
The ZPU-4 is armed with four 14.5mm KPV heavy machine guns.
ZPU-2
The ZPU-2 was introduced alongside the ZPU-2 as a lighter and more mobile variant.
ZU-23-2
In Soviet service the more capable twin barrel ZU-23 replaced the ZPU-4 in the 1960's.