Tankopedia
Early Cold WarTank DestroyerSoviet Union

ASU-85

In service 1959 - 1980s

An air-portable assault gun built on the PT-76 chassis for Soviet airborne divisions, replacing the parachute-dropped ASU-57.

Built byMytishchi Machine Building Plant

ASU-85
ASU-85, Skarżysko — Zala, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Development history

Soviet airborne doctrine demanded armour that transport aircraft could deliver, and the ASU-57 was too lightly armed to be useful by the late 1950s. The ASU-85 used a shortened PT-76 hull - without the amphibious capability - under a fully enclosed casemate carrying an 85 mm gun derived from the D-48. Around 500 were built from 1959 and were delivered by heavy transport aircraft or, initially, by parachute platform. They equipped the self-propelled artillery battalions of Soviet airborne divisions, served in Afghanistan, and were exported to Poland and East Germany. The BMD family eventually took over the role.

Variants

One canonical record, 2 recorded variants.

  1. ASU-85

    1959

    Base version with open commander hatch and no anti-aircraft gun.

  2. ASU-85 (late)

    1960s

    Roof-mounted 12.7 mm DShKM and improved night vision.

Notable actions

  • Soviet-Afghan War