Description

23mm Specialized Ammunition – Overview

23×152 mm (and similar 23mm-class) rounds are used in autocannons and anti-aircraft guns, primarily on Soviet/Russian-made systems. These rounds serve roles including air defense, vehicle interdiction, and infantry suppression.

Common weapons using 23mm include:

• ZU-23-2 (towed twin-barrel AA gun)

• ZSU-23-4 “Shilka” (self-propelled anti-aircraft gun)

• GSh-23 (twin-barrel aircraft cannon)

• 2A14 autocannon (BMP-2, BTR variants)

 Types of 23mm Ammunition (from the image)

1. FRAG-HEI-T

Label: FRAG HE 23 mm OT-170
Color: Gray tip, red and yellow bands

• Full Name: Fragmentation High-Explosive Incendiary Tracer

• Purpose: Explodes upon impact, with incendiary and fragmenting effects

• Use: Effective against infantry, light vehicles, and low-flying aircraft

• Features:

  • Delayed-action fuze

  • Tracer for flight path visibility

  • Lethal radius: approx. 8–15 meters

2. API-T

Label: APLT OT-60
Color: Black tip, red band, green text

• Full Name: Armor-Piercing Incendiary Tracer

• Purpose: Penetrates light armor and ignites fuel or ammo after impact

• Use: Against light armored vehicles, radar, fuel tanks, helicopters

• Features:

  • Steel core

  • Incendiary charge

  • Tracer for gunner adjustment

  • Penetration: ~20 mm RHA at 500 m

3. TRACER

Label: TRACER 23 mm 3–77
Color: Yellow tip, red band, green casing

• Full Name: Inert or Training Tracer Round

• Purpose: For training or marking, simulating trajectory without explosive payload

• Use: Training exercises, sighting, or fire correction

• Features:

  • No explosive

  • Tracer visible up to 2,000 m

  • Safe for controlled firing drills

🔸 Common 23mm Cartridge Dimensions

• 23×152B mm (belted): ZU-23-2, Shilka

• 23×115 mm: Aircraft-mounted guns (e.g., MiG-21, MiG-23)

• 23×122 mm, 23×139 mm: Less common variants