ASU-85
Overview
ASU-85
ASU-85 in Polish service during an exercise.
Source: Polish MOD -
© public domain
Soviet Union - PMZ
Russian for "airborne self-propelled mount 85"
M1962 | NATO designation for ASU-85
M1974 | NATO designation for ASU-85M
Description
Introduction
The ASU-85 is a Cold War era assault gun of Soviet origin. It was developed in the 1950's as a replacement for the ASU-57 assault gun in use with Soviet airborne forces. The name ASU-85 stands for "Aviadesantnaya Samokhodnaya Ustanovka", which is Russian for "airborne self-propelled mount". The number 85 refers to the caliber of the main armament. The ASU-85 became operational in the early 1960's and was extensively used during the Cold War. Since the late 1960's the ASU-85 was supplemented by the BMD-1 airborne infantry fighting vehicle.
Layout
The ASU-85 is an assault gun with fixed casemate superstructure. The tracked chassis is derived from the PT-76 amphibious light tank. The crew of 4 is seated in the fully enclosed casemate. This has the long 85mm gun mounted in the center and firing forwards. The engine and drivetrain are located at the rear.
Firepower
The main armament is the 85mm D-70 L/67 cannon. This is similar to the ordnance of the D-48 towed anti-tank gun and provides better range and rate of fire than the ubiquitous D-44 divisional gun. The effective range is 1.2 km for armor piercing rounds and 1.6 km for high explosive rounds. The casemate structure allows for a limited gun traverse, but the tracked chassis allows the ASU-85 to pivot. Secondary armament consists of a 7.62mm SGMT or PKT coaxial machine gun. Some ASU-85 were fitted with 12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun.
Protection
Since the ASU-85 was designed to be air dropped the weight had to be kept low. As a result the armor is quite thin. The armor protects the crew from small arms fire and shell splinters. From any angle other than the frontal arc it is vulnerable to heavy machine gun fire. Its low profile reduces its silhouette as a target.
Mobility
The most distinguishing feature of the ASU-85 is its ability to be air dropped from It could also be transported by Mi-6 helicopters. The tracked chassis provides good mobility in rugged terrain. The tracked chassis allows the ASU-85 to pivot and aids in aiming the main armament. The 260 hp V-6 inline water-cooled diesel allows for a maximum speed of 45 km/h. Unlike the PT-76 the ASU-85 is not amphibious.
Users
Due to the specific role the production number of the ASU-85 was rather low. The primary user of the ASU-85 were the Soviet airborne forces. Each division used 31 units and Poland was supplied a similar number. Eventually the BMD-1 replaced the ASU-85. Its 9K11 Malyutka missile had greater range and penetration than the 85mm gun on the ASU-85. The ASU-85 is no longer in service.
Variants
ASU-85
ASU-85 assault gun leaving an An-12 transport aircraft.
Source: US DOD -
© public domain
ASU-85
The ASU-85 is an assault gun with distinctive looks. It is based on a highly modified PT-76 amphibious light tank chassis with fixed casemate superstructure. The ASU-85 is easily identified by long 85mm ordnance, casemate in center position and long hull with low silhouette.
Variants
Details
Media
ASU-85
Forward view of several ASU-85 travelling by road.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
ASU-85
ASU-85 driving over a car.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
ASU-85M
Artist impression of ASU-85M with 12.7mm DShKM heavy machine gun fitted.
Source: Chinese internet
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
ASU-85
ASU-85 with fire in background.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
ASU-85M
Forward view of a preserved ASU-85M without the 12.7mm DShKM roof machine gun.
Source: Unknown author
Copyright: copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
ASU-57
The ASU-85 was designed to replace the earlier ASU-57, which is a much smaller open roof vehicle with high velocity 57mm gun.
PT-76
The ASU-85 assault gun uses a chassis that is derived from the PT-76 amphibibious light tank.