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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.



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

GO TO SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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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
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.
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Specifications



Service Year
1964

Origin
Soviet Union national flag graphic
Soviet Union

Status
ACTIVE
In Active Service.
Crew
1
CREWMEN
Production
40,000
UNITS


OJSC AMO ZiL - Soviet Union / Russia
(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)
National flag of Armenia National flag of Bangladesh National flag of Bulgaria National flag of Czechia National flag of Georgia National flag of modern Germany National flag of East Germany National flag of Iraq National flag of Kazakhstan National flag of Kyrgyzstan National flag of Poland National flag of Romania National flag of Russia National flag of the Soviet Union National flag of Syria National flag of Tajikistan National flag of Ukraine National flag of Uzbekistan National flag of Vietnam National flag of Yugoslavia 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 list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
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.


Wheeled Arrangement
Wheeled arrangement gives this system an inherent road-running capability, enhancing mobility.
Cross-Country Capability
Design includes such features as a track-link system or high ground clearance to better traverse offroad.
NBC Protection
Crew is provided (either as standard or optional) protection against Nuclear-Biological-Chemical agents for enhanced survivability in contaminated zones.
Nightvision
Crew has access to night-vision equipment, allowing for low-light or night time operations.
Troop Carrier
Vehicle (or its variants) has an inherent troop-carrying capability, providing protected cover for embarked allies in contested areas.
Versatility
Vehicle's proven running gear and overall makeup lends itself well to fulfill other battlefield roles by way of specialized designs.


Length
23.1 ft
7.04 m
Width
8.2 ft
2.49 m
Height
8.2 ft
2.49 m
Weight
14,771 lb
6,700 kg
Tonnage
7.4 tons
LIGHT
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base ZiL-131 production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)
Powerplant: 1 x ZiL-130 6.0L V-8 diesel engine driving conventional 6x6 wheeled / all-wheel arrangement.
Transmission: 1 x 5-Speed manual transmission system.
Speed
74.6 mph
(120.0 kph)
Range
351.1 mi
(565.0 km)
(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base ZiL-131 production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)
Base vehicle typically none, save for personal weapons carried by the crew.


Supported Types


Graphical image of the M3 Grease Gun submachine gun


(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
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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