Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23

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	Weapon: Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 Type: Autocannon Country of Origin: USSR Year Adopted: 1965 Overall Length (mm): 1387.0 Overall Length (in): 54.61 Weight (kg): 49.00 Weight (pounds): 108.03

The Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-23 is a twin-barrel 23mm autocannon developed in the Soviet Union in the late 1950s by designers Vassily Gryazev and Arkady Shipunov. Utilizing the Gast gun principle-where one barrel's recoil operation assists the loading of the next-it offers a high rate of fire without the need for external power. Capable of firing up to 3,400 rounds per minute, the GSh-23 was designed as a lightweight yet powerful cannon for fighter jets, ground-attack aircraft, and gun pods.

Entering service in the early 1960s, the GSh-23 was widely adopted by Soviet and Warsaw Pact air forces and continues to be used by numerous countries today. It was mounted internally in aircraft like the MiG-21, MiG-23, and the Su-15, and externally in the UPK-23-250 gun pod on helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft including the Mi-24 and Su-25. While official production figures remain undisclosed, the cannon has been produced in the tens of thousands, making it one of the most prolific Soviet-era aircraft guns.

Known for its compactness, reliability, and destructive capability, the GSh-23 gained a reputation as a formidable weapon in aerial and close air support roles. It was heavily employed in conflicts such as the Vietnam War, the Iran-Iraq War, and various post-Soviet regional wars. Despite newer designs entering service, the GSh-23 remains in active use thanks to its rugged performance and ease of maintenance, earning it a lasting place in the annals of military aviation.

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