ZiL-131

6x6 Wheeled Military Truck [ 1964 ]

The ZiL-131 6x6 military truck had a production run ranging from 1964 until 2012 with thousands being produced for a myriad of global customers.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 03/25/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

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Logistics are at the heart of every well-fueled, well-armed military and, for the Soviet Union during its heyday, this was provided for - in part - by the ZiL-131 military truck. The truck arrived in all-wheeled, 6x6 triple-axle arrangement seating a pair of axles under the rear of the chassis. The driving cab positioned the driver at front-left with the engine compartment immediately forward. Production of the ZiL-131 was had from 1964 until 2012 at which point the AMUR plant was shuttered due to bankruptcy (then produced as the AMUR-531340). Despite this, sheer numbers of the truck ensure it a place on the modern battlefield.

The civilian market form is the "ZiL-130".

For its part in Soviet history, the ZiL-131 succeeded the ZiL-157 series trucks of 1958. These were similarly arranged in 6x6 with a driving cab aft of the engine and a flexible / modular rear flat bed. Unlike the ZiL-131, the ZiL-157 was only utilized by the Soviets, China, Vietnam, and North Korea but has, itself, been formally succeeded by the more modern ZiL-4334 series trucks in Russian service.

Dimensions of the base vehicle include an overall length of 7.04 meters, a width of 2.5 meters, and a height of 2.5 meters. Curb weight is 6,700 kilograms. Its payload can reach up to 5,000kg for in-road traveling (less so when going off road).

Key qualities of the truck are its large road wheels and high ground clearance, allowing it to traverse cross-country and water sources. The suspension system includes solid axles coupled to leaf springs. Power is from a ZiL-130 6.0L V8 diesel engine mated to a 5-speed manual transmission system with 2-speed transfer case. A pair of 45-gallon gasoline tanks fuel the engine.

The versatility of the ZiL-131 is key to its success, having been the host vehicle for a variety of field solutions including the BN-21 "Grad" Multiple Launch, Rocket Projector (MLRS) vehicles (detailed elsewhere on this site) relied heavily on by the Soviet / Russian army. Beyond this, variants that have appeared include models utilized by border guard elements, specialized fire trucks, MEDEVAC, SCUD missile carriers, general transport (open flatbed or soft/hard covered), dedicated Command Posts (CPs), fuel tankers, and even mobile field bakeries.

Operators of the ZiL-131 currently (2022) include many former Soviet allies and supported states - notable entries being Georgia, Poland, Romania, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, and Vietnam. Former operators are Czechoslovakia, East Germany, Iraq, and Yugoslavia.©MilitaryFactory.com

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Specifications

OJSC AMO ZiL - Soviet Union / Russia
Manufacturer(s)

Armenia; Bangladesh; Bulgaria; Czechoslovakia (former); Georgia; East Germany (former); Iraq (former); Kazakhstan; Kyrgyzstan; Mongolia; Poland; Romania; Russia; Soviet Union (former); Syria; Tajikistan; Ukraine; Uzbekistan; Vietnam; Yugoslavia (former)
Operators

1964
Service Year

Soviet Union
National Origin

Active
Project Status

1
Crew

40,000
Units

UTILITY
General utility-minded design to accomplish a variety of battlefield tasks, typically in a non-direct-combat fashion.

SPECIAL PURPOSE
Special purpose design developed to accomplish an equally-special battlefield role or roles.

ALL-WHEEL
Wheeled arrangement gives this system an inherent road-running capability, enhancing mobility particularly on paved roads.

CROSS-COUNTRY TRAVERSAL
Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.

CBRN PROTECTION
Crew is provided (either as standard or optional) protection against Chemical-Biological-Radiological-Nuclear agents for enhanced survivability in contaminated zones.

NIGHT VISION
Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.

TROOP-CARRYING
Vehicle (or its variants) has an inherent troop-carrying capability, providing protected cover for embarked allies in contested areas.

INHERENT VERSATILITY
Vehicle's proven running gear and overall makeup lends itself well to fulfill other battlefield roles by way of specialized designs.

23.1 ft
(7.04 meters)
Length

8.2 ft
(2.49 meters)
Width

8.2 ft
(2.49 meters)
Height

14,771 lb
(6,700 kg)
Weight

7.4 tons
(Light-class)
Tonnage

1 x ZiL-130 6.0L V-8 diesel engine driving conventional 6x6 wheeled / all-wheel arrangement.
Drive System

1 x 5-Speed manual transmission system.
Gearbox

75 mph
(120 kph)
Road Speed

351 miles
(565 km)
Road Range

Base vehicle typically none, save for personal weapons carried by the crew.

AMMUNITION
Not Applicable.

ZiL-131 - Base Series Designation.

ZiL-130 - Civilian market form.

AMUR-531340 - ZiL-130/-131 trucks manufactured at AMUR plant; not produced since 2012.

BM-21 "Grad" - MLRS vehicle variant.

ZiL-131 Firetruck

ZiL-131 Mobile Bakery

ZiL-131 Command Post

ZiL-131 Fuel Carrier

ZiL-131 SCUD missile carrier

ZiL-131 Border Guard transport

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Military lapel ribbon for experimental military vehicles

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Land Systems / Battlefield

ZiL-131

6x6 Wheeled Military Truck [ 1964 ]

The ZiL-131 6x6 military truck had a production run ranging from 1964 until 2012 with thousands being produced for a myriad of global customers.

Specifications