
Specifications
Year: 1945
Manufacturer(s): Works No. 40 Factory - Soviet Union
Production: 75
Capabilities: Anti-Aircraft/Airspace Denial;
Manufacturer(s): Works No. 40 Factory - Soviet Union
Production: 75
Capabilities: Anti-Aircraft/Airspace Denial;
Crew: 6
Length: 17.22 ft (5.25 m)
Width: 9.02 ft (2.75 m)
Height: 7.15 ft (2.18 m)
Weight: 14 tons (12,677 kg); 27,948 lb
Length: 17.22 ft (5.25 m)
Width: 9.02 ft (2.75 m)
Height: 7.15 ft (2.18 m)
Weight: 14 tons (12,677 kg); 27,948 lb
Power: 1 x GAZ-203 (2 x GAZ-202 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled gasoline engines in tandem) engine developing 160 horsepower.
Speed: 28 mph (45 kph)
Range: 224 miles (360 km)
Range: 224 miles (360 km)
Operators: Soviet Union
The ZSU-37 fitted a single 37mm M1939 (61-K) autocannon in an open-air superstructure fitted over the rear of the T-70 hull. The hull was lengthened to accommodate the turret installation which resulted in a sixth road wheel being fitted to the track arrangement. The track-and-wheel system retained the front-mounted drive sprocket and rear-mounted track idler seen in the T-70 Light Tank and three track return rollers were used. Armor protection ranged from 6mm to 35mm across the various facings of the vehicle and dimensions included a length of 17 feet, a width of 9 feet and a height of 7 feet. A typical operating crew numbered six.
The ZSU-37 was driven by a GAZ-203 series 12-cylinder liquid-cooled gasoline engine - which was really just two paired 6-cylinder GAZ engines. The twin engines outputted at 160 horsepower allowing the ZSU-37 a maximum road speed of 28 miles per hour with an operational range of 220 miles. The torsion bar suspension system allowed for cross country travel to which speeds dropped below 20 miles per hour and ranges down to under 140 miles.
In operational service, the limitations of the ZSU-37 were soon pointed out. The light tank chassis was not as agile as required nor was its powerpack arrangement suitable for the ranges and speeds expected in Soviet tank maneuvers. Additionally, armor protection was poor and the open-air nature of the turret exposed the crew to all sorts of battlefield dangers and inclement weather. The single 37mm cannon - though powerful in other roles - was ill-suited for the role of fast-acting gun against incoming, moving aerial targets.
As such, ZSU-37s did not lead a noticeably long service life and, with its limited production run, fell to history. The Soviet Army adopted the 2 x 57mm cannon-armed ZSU-57-2 SPAAG in its place, this design based on the much improved chassis and running gear of the famous T-54 Main Battle Tank (MBT).
The ZPU portion of the designation is from the Russian "Zenitnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka" which appropriately translates to "Anti-Aircraft, Self-Propelled Mount". The "37" in the designation comes from the cannon caliber.
Armament
1 x 37mm M1939 (61-K mod) autocannon.
Ammunition:
Dependent upon ammunition carrier / supplies.
Variants / Models
• SU-72 - Single prototype appearing in 1939; fitting 1 x 37mm 61-K mod gun on T-60/T-70 style chassis; never placed into production.
• SU-11 - Single prototype appearing in 1942; fitting 1 x 37mm 61-K mod gun on T-60/T-70 style chassis; never placed into production.
• SU-17 - Prototype appearing in late 1943; based on SU-76M SPG chassis; fitting 1 x 37mm 61-K mod gun; powered by ZIS-80MF engine; revised rotating turret assembly; three prototypes completed.
• ZSU-37 - Base Production Series Designation; appearing in 1945; 75 examples produced until 1948.