{{Short description|Soviet self-propelled rocket artillery chassis}} {{More references|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox automobile |name=ZIL-135 |image=ZIL135 LM vorn.JPG |caption= An East German ZIL-135 equipped with a Luna-M rocket |manufacturer={{ubl|ZiL|BAZ}} |production={{ubl|1959–1963 (ZIL)|1963–1994? (BAZ)}} |class= |layout=8×8 |engine={{ubl|5.6 L ''ZIL-123F'' I6 ×2 (prototype)|6.9 L ''ZIL-375YA'' V8 ×2}} |transmission= {{ubl|6-speed automatic, x2|5-speed manual, ×2 (ZIL-135LM)}} |length={{convert|9260|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} |width={{convert|3130|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} |height={{convert|3060|mm|in|1|abbr=on}} |weight={{convert|7000|kg|lb|0|abbr=on}} }}
The '''ZIL-135''' is a large eight-wheeled military transport and self-propelled artillery truck manufactured by ZiL during the Cold War from the Soviet Union starting in 1959. Its purpose was to carry and launch a Luna-M (NATO: Frog-7) surface-to-surface artillery rocket. The ZIL-135 was widely exported to other communist countries, most notably North Korea, where it is a common sight in films and military marches. It also served as the TEL for the BM-27 Uragan artillery rocket system.
This vehicle has two gasoline engines that power its 20 tonnes to a maximum speed of {{convert|65|kph}}. One engine drives the four wheels on the left of the truck, while the other engine drives the four wheels on the right. The ZIL-135 has eight wheel drive, but only the front and rear axles are used for steering. It has a maximum cruising range of {{convert|500|km}}.
The cab of the ZIL-135 is NBC protected, allowing the rockets to be fired without exposing the crew to possible contaminants.<ref name="RedSteel" >{{Cite book |title=Red Steel: Soviet Tanks and Combat Vehicles of the Cold War |first=Russell |last=Phillips |publisher=Shilka |year=2013 |page=140 }}</ref><ref name=WpnSys >[http://weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/DD05%20-%20BM-27%20Uragan.html WeaponSystems.net], ''BM-27 Uragan''.</ref> The six-man crew{{sfnp|Prenatt|Hook|2016|p=36}} can emplace or displace the system in three minutes.
==Variants== thumb|Transporter erector launcher on the basis of BAZ-135MB
===ZiL=== *ZIL-135 (9P113): launcher for 9K52 Luna-M (NATO: Frog-7) missile (1959) **ZIL-135B: amphibious version of ZIL-135 (1959) **ZIL-135E: non-amphibious version of ZIL-135B (1960) **ZIL-135L: improved suspension (1961) **ZIL-135LM: ZIL-135L with manual transmission (1963); production transferred to BAZ *ZIL-135K: launcher for S-5 missile (1961), based on the ZIL-135E; production transferred to BAZ in 1962 **ZIL-135E: diesel-electric transmission (1965) **ZIL-135KM: launcher for P-5 Pyatyorka (NATO: SS-N-3 Shaddock) missile (1962, prototype for BAZ) **ZIL-135KP: land train (1969) **ZIL-135LN: chassis-cab based on ZIL-135K *ZIL-135P: amphibious landing transport (landing barge) (1965) *ZIL-135SH: prototype zero-turn radius version. It had two ZIL-375Ya V8 engines, one to power a generator to turn the front struts (from an Il-18) and the other drove the rear axle, which was from a ZIL-130.
===BAZ=== *ZIL-135K: launcher for FCR-2 missile (1961) *BAZ-135LM: ZIL-135K with manual transmission (1963-1994) **BAZ-135LMT (BAZ-135L7): tropical weather version of BAZ-135LM (1968) *BAZ-135LMP: launcher for BM-27 Uragan MLRS (1976) *BAZ-135LTM: transporter for Luna-M missile (1963) *BAZ-135L4: civilian version (1968) *BAZ-E135G: experimental prototype with gas turbine engine *BAZ-135M1: prototype with a single diesel engine *BAZ-135MB: launcher for SPU-35V, Tu-143 and Tu-243 (1964) **BAZ-135MBP: BAZ-135MB with metal cargo platform **BAZ-135MBK: BAZ-135MB with increased cargo and towing capacity (1991) **BAZ-135MBL: (1993)
==Specifications== * Length: {{convert|30.41|ft|m|abbr=on}} * Width: {{convert|9.19|ft|m|abbr=on}} * Height: {{convert|8.30|ft|m|abbr=on}} * GVW (without missile): 11.57 tons * Ground clearance: {{convert|580|mm|in|abbr=on}} * Pitch angle: 57° * Engine: 2× ZIL-375YA V-8 6.9 liter gasoline engines * Horsepower: {{convert|180|hp|abbr=on}} × 2 * Top speed: {{convert|40.39|mi/h|km/h|2|abbr=on}} * Range: {{convert|248.55|mi|km|abbr=on}} * Fuel consumption: {{convert|3|mpgus|L/100km|2|abbr=on}} - {{convert|1|mpgus|L/100km|2|abbr=on}} <!-- US or imp?? -->
==References== {{commons category|ZIL-135}} {{Reflist}} * {{cite book |first1=Jamie |last1=Prenatt |first2=Adam |last2=Hook |title=Katyusha – Russian Multiple Rocket Launchers 1941–Present |series=New Vanguard 235 |publisher=Osprey Publishing |place=Oxford |year=2016 |isbn=978-1-4728-1086-1 }}
Category:Wheeled self-propelled rocket launchers Category:ZiL vehicles Category:Military trucks of the Soviet Union Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1950s Category:Amphibious military vehicles