ZPU-2

ZPU-2 (GAU index – 56-US-562) is a Soviet paired anti-aircraft machine gun mount.

The development of the paired anti-aircraft machine gun mount began on a competitive basis at Plant No. 2 (Kovrov city). In November 1944, the first prototype of the design by S.V. Volodimirov and G.P. Markov was produced. In 1945, the prototype underwent comparative testing with the design by Fedir Tokaryev. The design by S.V. Volodimirov was recognized as the best after testing. After eliminating remarks and improvements, the experimental model passed field and military tests in 1948. ZPU-2 was adopted for service in 1949. Mass production was deployed at Plant No. 525 (Samara city).

The main task of ZPU-2 is to strike enemy air forces (aircraft, airborne units). It can also be used to fire at lightly armored vehicles, concentrations of troops, and naval units. The movement of the mount over short distances can be performed by the crew.

The main components of ZPU-2 are machine guns, mount, wheel drive, and aiming devices. The wheel drive is designed to tow ZPU-2 in a traveling position and consists of two wheels with a tubular arc. When transferring ZPU-2 to a combat position, the wheel drive is disconnected, and the mount is placed on the ground. The mount is based on a rotating platform. A turret with machine guns is located on the platform.

Paired 14.5 mm KPVT machine guns are used as armament. ZPU-2 is equipped with manual and foot mechanisms for firing. The ammunition inventory includes armor-piercing incendiary bullets B-32 and BS-41, armor-piercing incendiary tracer bullets BZT, as well as sighting incendiary bullets ZP. The ammunition is placed in two boxes with machine gun belts. Each belt contains 150 rounds.

To aim at air targets, a zenithal sight is mounted on ZPU-2, inside the aiming part of which there is a turret collimator K10-T. During ground target shooting, aiming is carried out with the help of the combined optical-mechanical sight OP4M, which is mounted on the right side of the turret.