ASU-57 Airborne Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun (1951)
The ASU-57 was the mainstay for Soviet airborne divisions for decades.
Crew accommodations in the ASU-57 amounted to three personnel. The driver and loader were stationed to the right of the compartment, leaving the commander to the left. The hull was of welded aluminum and only 0.24 inches at its thickest. The crew sat in an open-air compartment with nothing more than a tarp to cover themselves from the elements. Besides the 57mm main gun, the crew was afforded a 7.62mm machine gun for self-defense. This machine gun could be removed for ground duty as well.
Weighing in at 3.5 tonnes, the ASU-57 self-propelled system could be airdropped by parachute with rockets assisting in cushioning the landing. Initially transported externally under the wings of a Tupolev Tu-4 bomber, the system was later carried internally in an Antonov An-12 aircraft and dropped by pallet.
Despite its compactness, the ASU-57 suffered from the minimal protection afforded to the crew. the 57mm main gun was also under-gunned when compared to the similar M56 American version mounting a 90mm main gun. The ASU-57 would eventually be replaced by the ASU-85, which featured far better armor protection and a larger caliber main gun. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
ASU-57
Airborne Self-Propelled Anti-Tank Gun
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Manufacturer: MMZ - Soviet Union
Initial Year of Service: 1951
Production: 500
Focus Model: ASU-57
Crew: 3 + 6
Overall Length: 16.37ft (4.99m)
Width: 6.82ft (2.08m)
Height: 3.87ft (1.18m)
Weight: 3.7 US Short Tons (3,347kg; 7,379lbs)
Powerplant: 1 x M-20E 4-cylinder gasoline water-cooled engine generating 50- to 55-horsepower.
Maximum Speed: 28mph (45 km/h)
Maximum Range: 155 miles (250 km)
NBC Protection: None
Nightvision: Yes - Driver Only
Armament:
1 x 57mm main gun
1 x 7.62mm removeable machine gun
Ammunition:
30 x 57mm projectiles
Variants:
ASU-57 - Base Series Designation
ASU-57KShM - Command / Staff Variant; increased communications equipment.
BSU-11-57F (2T2) - Proposed Gun Carrier for 107mm B-11; single prototype example completed.
ASU-57P (Ob.574) - Proposed Amphibious ASU-57; five prototype vehicles completed.
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