Chapter 280 Shilka's Roar

As an advocate of artillery, the Soviet Union carried out many reforms to advance its mechanized armored forces. For example, it moved anti-aircraft guns onto tracked chassis, turning them into self-propelled anti-aircraft guns, which could maximize the safety of the armored forces as they advanced. After the self-propelled anti-aircraft guns appeared in the Soviet armored forces, the West began to develop corresponding weapons.

The ZSU-23-4 "Shilka" self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, which was officially put into service in 1965, had basically replaced all ZSU-57-2 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns in the anti-aircraft artillery regiments of motorized infantry divisions and tank divisions by the early 1970s. After the reorganization, the Soviet tank regiments and motorized infantry regiments were divided into anti-aircraft artillery-anti-aircraft missile companies, which were a mixture of anti-aircraft guns and missiles. Each company had an anti-aircraft artillery platoon equipped with 4 ZSU-23-4 self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and a missile platoon equipped with 4 sets of 9K31 or 9K35 surface-to-air missiles.

During combat, the Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery platoon is usually deployed with two guns at an interval of 200 meters, 400 meters behind the main attack tank battalion or motorized infantry battalion battle formation, and close to the battalion headquarters when marching; while the 9K31 or 9K35 surface-to-air missile platoon is usually used to cover the regiment's direct units, close to the regiment headquarters when marching, and deployed 1 to 3 kilometers away from the front line when attacking.

Now, the armored troops on the march immediately launched an attack when faced with the sudden appearance of armed helicopters.

From a technical point of view, the Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun may not be advanced, but its biggest advantage is firepower! The four-barrel 23mm anti-aircraft gun can fire a fierce metal storm! In later generations, even until the Gulf War, coalition pilots were told that when fighting in airspace where Shilka anti-aircraft guns are present on the ground, their flight altitude must not be less than 1,300 meters to avoid being shot down by such fierce anti-aircraft guns. When covered by the shells fired by this anti-aircraft gun, it is simply a hellish scene!

The 1PL33 radar at the rear of the turret immediately emitted electromagnetic waves. The gun-aiming radar, which adopted a conical scanning system, captured the target in just one second. Then, the electromechanical computer began to solve the target. Unfortunately, due to the limitation of the performance of this computer, it took nearly ten seconds to solve the launch parameters.

Of course, the gunner couldn't wait that long. As soon as the gun-aiming radar scanned the target, the gunner had already coordinated the optical aiming device, rotated the turret, increased the elevation angle of the anti-aircraft gun, and stepped on the firing button.

"Boom, boom, boom." The sound of the anti-aircraft gun was crisp and rapid, and gun smoke continued to emerge from the muzzle. In the tongue of fire, 23mm anti-aircraft shells flew out of the muzzle one by one. With a sharp howl of death, it flew towards the helicopter on the opposite side. The Shilka was roaring, and the rain of death was coming!

Damn it! After discovering the enemy's self-propelled anti-aircraft gun, Jiro Inoue immediately pulled the total torque lever to pull the helicopter high up.

Little did he know, he had made a fatal mistake.

Facing this kind of small-caliber anti-aircraft gun with intensive firepower, the way to survive is to lower the altitude as much as possible. After all, the combat space of a helicopter is only as high as a tree. Now he has increased his altitude instead, which is simply courting death!

"Boom!" 23mm anti-aircraft shells exploded around the helicopter. Black smoke appeared and the airflow generated by the explosion instantly caused the Cobra to shake.

Jiro Inoue was still pulling up, and at the same time, there was a flash of fire under the short wing, and a TOW anti-tank missile had already flown out under the control of the weapons operator.

"Boom!" At this moment, a high-explosive bomb exploded in the lower part of the Cobra. Although the Cobra helicopter was equipped with armor at key locations, these armors could not stop the 23mm anti-aircraft gun shells!

"Boom!" Another one, this shell hit the glass of the Cobra directly!

During the development process, all the glass of the Cobra helicopter was bulletproof. However, when it was officially finalized, it was replaced with ordinary tempered glass. The reason was simple: it was overweight.

Now, the 23mm shell that hit the glass easily tore the entire piece of glass. The flying shrapnel and broken glass instantly turned Jiro Inoue, who was driving, into a bloody mess.

The helicopter in the air was like a dying monster. Under the attack of four 23mm anti-aircraft guns, it shook in the air, caught fire, and fell down.

The anti-tank missile that had already flown out also turned into an uncontrolled rocket. After flying for several hundred meters, it fell down.

The quick response of the Shilka self-propelled anti-aircraft gun bought time for other troops. The 9K31 wheeled self-propelled air defense missile launcher also deployed an attack formation. The shoulder-fired air defense missiles in the motorized infantry division in the rear were also ready.

There was also their own armed helicopter, the huge Doe, flying towards them.

The Soviet armored torrent is not afraid of the attack of a few helicopters! They are confident that they can shoot down any invading enemy!

At the same time, news of the island nation's armed helicopter attack was discovered and quickly reported to the rear.

Take off the fighter planes! The Soviet aviation forces, which had been eagerly waiting, had already fully loaded with fuel and ammunition. After receiving the order, one fighter plane after another took off quickly and climbed continuously!

Air supremacy! The air supremacy over Hokkaido must be firmly in the hands of the Soviets! Only by seizing air supremacy, the islanders' helicopters will not dare to take off, and our armored forces will be able to swoop to the southern part of Hokkaido!

Today's air battle will be particularly fierce!

Over the Sea of ​​Okhotsk, an early warning aircraft with a mushroom-shaped disk on its head was cruising on its scheduled route. The Soviet Union's valuable Tu-126 early warning aircraft was providing important early warning.

Next to this aircraft, there is a Yak-28PP "Conspirator" E electronic jammer. If the Americans start electronic jamming, our side will also not be outdone and will also turn on electronic jamming as well. We cannot suffer losses in electronic warfare.

At the same time, there are two huge fighter jets protecting it nearby. Judging from the appearance alone, it is very similar to the MiG-25, but if you look closely, you can find many differences. For example, the cockpit is much larger and there is a seat for a second person in the back.

Until now, NATO has not discovered the Soviet MiG-31 interceptor, and has always believed that it is just a modified version of the MiG-25 with enhanced radar and improved new medium-range missiles.

They were not wrong in their guess, this thing was originally an improved MiG-25.