Developed during the Great Patriotic War, the 14.5-mm ZPU-2 machine gun was installed at various times on various models of equipment. For example, back in the 50s, modifications of wheeled BTR-40, BTR-152 and tracked BTR-50 were equipped with such weapons.
In the countries of the world, fighters of regular armies, as well as various rebel formations, mounted large-caliber "double-barreled" on cars, including pickups and jeeps. They could also be seen on American M113 armored personnel carriers.
Such anti-aircraft guns were valued for their high firepower, reliability and simplicity. They could be served even by calculations not too advanced in military affairs.
The maximum firing range is 2000 meters. The rate of fire is 1200 rounds per minute. Ammunition was placed in two boxes with ribbons, 150 rounds each.
Under the designation Type-58, they were also produced by the Chinese military industry and were actively supplied abroad.
A little-known version of the British Ferret light armored car, also armed with the ZPU-2, looks very unusual. Such a reconnaissance combat vehicle is available in the armed forces of Nepal, where, apparently, it has been finalized. Previously, it had only one 7.62 mm machine gun mounted in a rotating turret.
Judging by the photos, this experiment was not very successful, the four-ton armored car turned out to be small even for a fairly compact installation. The fighters are literally hanging in the air, and it is very likely that there are problems with stability.
According to military experts, conventional trucks could be more suitable platforms, they do not have armor, but their calculations certainly would not risk anything.
Nepalese Daimler Ferret with ZPU-2 AA gun, it's not even safer than gun truck for gunner. @Tanmaycoolkarni @5thSu pic.twitter.com/w5jHW8K8Cw
— Caesar (@Ninja998998) February 18, 2022
Alexey Brusilov