×
Aircraft / Aviation Vehicles & Artillery Small Arms Warships & Submarines Military Ranks Military Pay Chart (2024) Special Forces
HOME
ARMOR INDEX
MODERN ARMIES
ARMOR BY COUNTRY
VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS
COMPARE VEHICLES
VEHICLES BY CONFLICT
VEHICLES BY TYPE
VEHICLES BY DECADE
COLD WAR VEHICLES
MODERN TANKS
MODERN ARTILLERY
UKRAINIAN-RUSSIAN WAR VEHICLES

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.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
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.

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 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
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


Military lapel ribbon for the American Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for pioneering aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Arab-Israeli War
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of the Bulge
Military lapel ribbon for the Battle of Kursk
Military lapel ribbon for the Cold War
Military lapel ribbon for the Falklands War
Military lapel ribbon for the Indo-Pak Wars
Military lapel ribbon for the Korean War
Military lapel ribbon for the 1991 Gulf War
Military lapel ribbon representing modern aircraft
Military lapel ribbon for the Soviet-Afghan War
Military lapel ribbon for the Spanish Civil War
Military lapel ribbon for the Ukranian-Russian War
Military lapel ribbon for the Vietnam War
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 1
Military lapel ribbon for the World War 2
Military lapel ribbon for the Yom Kippur War
Military lapel ribbon for experimental military vehicles

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Chart Military Ranks DoD Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content; site is 100% curated by humans.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.


©2023 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2023 (20yrs)