View source for ZIL-157

{{Short description|Soviet military truck}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = ZIL-157
| image = Czechoslovak_130mm_rocket_launcher_Raketomet_vz._51.jpg
| manufacturer = [[ZiL]]
| aka = 
| production = 1958–1961 (mod. ЗИЛ-157)<br />1962–1978 (mod. ЗИЛ-157К)<br />1978–1994 (mod. ЗИЛ-157КД)
| assembly = Soviet Union: [[Moscow]]
| predecessor = [[ZIS-151]]
| successor = [[ZIL-131]]
| class = [[Truck]]
| body_style = 
| layout = Front engine, 6×6
| platform = 
| engine = 5.55 L ''ZIL-157'', {{convert|104|hp|kW|abbr=on}} [[Straight-six engine|I6]]
| transmission = 5-speed manual
| wheelbase = {{convert|3665 + 1120|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| weight = {{convert|5,540|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|6.93|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|2.32|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|2.74|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
| related = 
| designer = 
}}

[[File:ZIL-157 on Naissaar.jpg|thumb|ZIL-157 on [[Naissaar|Naissaar island]], Estonia]]

The '''ZIL-157''' is a general-purpose {{frac|2|1|2}}-ton 6×6 truck, produced at the [[ZiL|Likhachev plant]] in the Soviet Union from 1958 to 1977, when production was transferred to the [[Amur (company)|Amur]] plant, since the Likhachev plant wanted to focus more on modern trucks, such as the [[ZIL-131]] range. Nevertheless, production of the ZIL-157 trucks continued even after the fall of the [[Soviet Union]], but eventually ended in 1994.

== History ==
[[File:ZiL-157 01.JPG|thumb|right|ZIL-157, formerly used by the [[Hungarian Ground Forces|Hungarian Army]] (2011)]]
[[File:ZiL-157V with a 9T22 transporter vehicle of 2K12 Kub missile system carries two 3M9 missiles pic2.jpg|thumb|right|ZIL-157V [[tractor unit]] with [[semi-trailer]] for rocket transport (2012). In the background a ZIL-157 with box body
]]
[[File:Cheremushsky (Kotlasky District of Arkhangelsk Oblast) (17).JPG|thumb|right|Civilian ZIL-157 (2010)]]
[[File:32x schneefräse3.JPG|thumb|right|[[Snow blower]] D-470 on ZIL-157K (2014)]]
[[File:Radar truck MW 1.JPG|thumb|right|Jiefang CA-30 with radar case, the Chinese copy of the ZIL-157]]
[[File:BM-13-16 on a ZiL-157 chassis.jpg|thumb|right|[[Katyusha rocket launcher|BM-13-16]] multiple rocket launcher on a ZIL-157 (2006)]]
[[File:ЗИЛ-157 пожарная машина с флагом Ед иной России.JPG|thumb|right|[[Fire engine]] with double cab based on the ZIL-157 (2014)]]
Some time after the start of serial production of the [[ZIS-151]], the revision of the ZIS-151 began. The new project was given the title ZIS-157. By 1956, two prototypes had been produced, which had some technical innovations compared to the ZIS-151. This also included tires specially developed for this vehicle, which were particularly wear-resistant due to the use of several layers of material. The spare wheel was no longer mounted behind the driver's cab, but under the truck, which allowed the frame and thus the entire truck to be shortened. A tire pressure control system was also installed, which significantly improved off-road capability.<ref name="[1]">{{cite web |title=Website with detailed vehicle history, technical data and modifications (Russian) |url=https://aviaros.narod.ru/zil-157.htm |access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>

Series production began on September 18, 1958 in [[Moscow]]. In the course of [[de-Stalinization]], however, it was now renamed ZIL-157, as the plant was renamed in 1956 from "Zavod imeni Stalina" to "Zavod imeni Likhacheva". In the same year, the truck won an award at the [[Brussels Expo|World Expo in Brussels]].<ref name="[1]"/>

In 1961, a new version was introduced. The ZIL-157K had a more powerful engine, which it inherited from the ZIL-131 as well as the rest of the powertrain. This model was built until the cessation of production in Moscow in 1978. From that point on, the [[Amur (company)|Uralsky Avtomotorny Zavod]] (UAmZ) took over the production of the truck. Here it was reworked again and designated ZIL-157KD. The payload increased by 500&nbsp;kg to five tons, and three tons of cargo could still be transported off-road. Production officially continued until 1992, with vehicles still being assembled from existing parts until 1994. A total of 797,934 ZIL-157 trucks were produced by both manufacturers in 36 years of construction.<ref name="[1]"/>

The ZIL-157 truck, like its predecessors, was mostly intended for use by the [[Red Army]],<ref name="[2]">{{cite web |title=ЗИЛ-157 |url=https://wroom.ru/cars/zil/157 |access-date=23 August 2021}}</ref> but a number was also made for the civilian sector and for export; it was also popular with forestry companies,<ref name="[2]"/> and was thus also used as a [[log truck]], specifically in the ''ZIL-157V'' [[tractor trailer]] version.

In the Soviet Union, the vehicle received several nicknames from the population, including "[[Crocodile]]" because of the long bonnet and characteristic radiator grille.<ref>{{cite web |title=Website about the ZIL-157, including historical photographs and various nicknames (Russian) |url=http://zil157.ru/ |access-date=9 April 2024}}</ref>

==Variants==
* '''ZIL-157''' (''ЗИЛ-157'') - cargo truck, produced 1958 - 1961<ref name=autogenerated1>ЗИЛ-157КД // Краткий автомобильный справочник НИИАТ. 10-е изд., пер. и доп. М., "Транспорт", 1983. стр.70</ref>
* '''ZIL-157B''' - Prototype version of ZIL-157 without the central tire pressure system.
* '''ZIL-157E''' - Chassis-cab version of ZIL-157 with two fuel tanks, and no spare wheel bracket.
:* '''ZIL-157EE''', '''ZIL-157ET''' - Export versions of ZIL-157E.
:* '''ZIL-157EG''' - Version with shielded electrical equipment.
::* '''ZIL-157EGE''' - Export version with shielded electrical equipment for temperate climates. 
::* '''ZIL-157EGT''' - Export version with shielded electrical equipment for tropical climates. 
* '''ZIL-157G''' - As ZIL-157, but with shielded electrical equipment.
:* '''ZIL-157GE''', '''ZIL-157GT''' - Export versions of ZIL-157G.
* '''ZIL-157K''' (''ЗИЛ-157К'') - cargo truck, produced 1962 - 1978.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Modernized version of ZIL-157.
:* '''ZIL-157KYe''' - Export version of ZIL-157K for temperate climates.
:* '''ZIL-157KYu''' - Export version of ZIL-157K for tropical climates.
* '''ZIL-157KD''' (''ЗИЛ-157КД'')<ref>подполковник-инженер В. Перлин. Автомобиль ЗИЛ-157КД // "Техника и вооружение", № 6. 1982. стр.9</ref> - 5-ton cargo truck, produced since 1978.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> Modernized version of ZIL-157K.
*'''ZIL-157KDA''' - Cab-chassis version.
*'''ZIL-157KDE''' - Cab-chassis version; modernized ZIL-157KE.
*'''ZIL-157KDG''' - Version with shielded electrical equipment; modernized ZIL-157KG.
*'''ZIL-157KDM''' - Prototype flatbed version, with the engine and transmission from the ZIL-157KD, the cab from the ZIL-130 and ZIL-131 and the frame and flatbed from the ZIL-131. Produced in 1984.
* '''ZIL-157KDV''' (''ЗИЛ-157КДВ'') - [[tractor unit]], produced since 1978.<ref name=autogenerated2 /> Modernized version of ZIL-157KV.
:* '''ZIL-157KDVE''', '''ZIL-157KDVT''' - Export versions of ZIL-157KDV.
* '''ZIL-157KE''' - Cab-chassis version; modernized ZIL-157E.
:* '''ZIL-157KEE''', '''ZIL-157KET''' - Export versions of ZIL-157KE.
:* '''ZIL-157KEG''' - Version with shielded electrical equipment.
::* '''ZIL-157KEGL''' - Light chassis (for heavy vans) with shielded electrical equipment.
::* '''ZIL-157KEGE''' - Export version with shielded electrical equipment for temperate climates. 
::* '''ZIL-157KEGT''' - Export version with shielded electrical equipment for tropical climates. 
* '''ZIL-157KE1''' - Version of ZIL-157KE with a generator.
:* '''ZIL-157KE1E''', '''ZIL-157KE1T''' - Export versions of ZIL-157KE1.
* '''ZIL-157KG''' - Modernized version of ZIL-157G.
:* '''ZIL-157KGE''', '''ZIL-157KGT''' - Export versions of ZIL-157KG.
* '''ZIL-157KV''' (''ЗИЛ-157КВ'') - [[tractor unit]], produced 1962 - 1978.<ref name=autogenerated2>ЗИЛ-157КДВ // Краткий автомобильный справочник НИИАТ. 10-е изд., пер. и доп. М., "Транспорт", 1983. стр.77-78</ref> Modernized version of ZIL-157V.
:* '''ZIL-157KVG''' -  Version with shielded electrical equipment.
:* '''ZIL-157KVE''', '''ZIL-157KVT''' - Export versions of ZIL-157KV.
* '''ZIL-157L''' - Prototype power-steering version of ZIL-157. Produced in 1958, cancelled due to front suspension and steering malfunctions.
* '''ZIL-157V''' - Tractor-trailer version. Produced 1958 - 1961.
:* '''ZIL-157VG''' - As ZIL-157V, but with shielded electrical equipment.
:* '''ZIL-157VE''', '''ZIL-157VT''' - Export versions of ZIL-157V.
* '''ZIL-157Ye''' - Export version of ZIL-157 for temperate climates.
* '''ZIL-157Yu''' - Export version of ZIL-157 for tropical climates.
* '''ZIL-4311''' - Prototype replacement for the ZIL-157. Produced in 1976.
* '''KMM''' (''колёсный механизированный мост КММ'') - Soviet military [[bridgelayer]] on ZIL-157 chassis<ref>К. Янбеков. Колесные мостоукладчики ЛКМ и КММ // журнал "Техника и вооружение", № 7, июль 2019. стр.16-21</ref>

==Operators==
<!-- Do NOT add users unless you have a RELIABLE reference for it. All edits under operators that are not supported by proper reliable references will be reverted/removed. !-->
* {{ALB}}: [[Jiefang CA-30]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=The North Korea Of Europe: Listing Socialist Albania's Military Equipment |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/03/the-north-korea-of-europe-listing.html |website=Oryx |access-date=28 January 2024 |date=21 March 2023}}</ref>
* {{flag|Bangladesh}}: [[Jiefang CA-30]] variants from China<ref name="Utelity4">{{cite web |url=https://dgdp.gov.bd/dgdp/AP_TEN/s_doc/6178.pdf |title="LIST OF COVER OUTER VARIOUS SIZES FOR DIFFERENT VEH (13-LINE ITEMS), QTY-1548 NOS/SETS" |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=22 February 2021 |website=[[Directorate General of Defence Purchase (Bangladesh)|Directorate General of Defence Purchase]] |access-date=3 August 2023}}</ref> 
* {{flag|China}}: Licensed-produced as [[Jiefang CA-30]]
* {{flag|Finland}}<ref name="[20]">{{cite web |title= Mobilisti koeajaa: ZIL 157 |url= https://www.mobilisti.fi/mobilisti-koeajaa-zil-157/ |access-date=30 November 2022}}</ref>
* {{flag|Indonesia}}: Indonesia has some ZIL-157 stored in Dirgantara Mandala Museum, possibly bought in 1961
* {{flag|Iraq|1963}}<ref>{{cite book | author1-last=[[National Training Center]] |title=The Iraqi Army: Organization and Tactics |date=1 January 1991 |publisher=Paladin Press |isbn=978-0-87364-632-1 |page=178 |language=English}}</ref>
* {{flag|North Korea}}<ref>{{cite book |last1=Marine Corps Intelligence Activity |title=North Korea Country Handbook |date=1997 |publisher=MCIA |location=Quantico, VA |page=A-126 |url=https://nuke.fas.org/guide/dprk/nkor.pdf |access-date=28 January 2024 |language=en |author1-link=Marine Corps Intelligence Activity }}</ref>
* {{Flag|Poland}}
* {{flag|USSR}}
* {{flag|Syria}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mitzer |first1=Stijn |last2=Oliemans |first2=Joost |title=Fighting Attrition: A Look Inside a Damascus Armour Repair Facility |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2020/08/a-look-inside-damascus-armour-repair.html |website=Oryx |date=23 November 2020 |access-date=4 February 2024}}</ref>
* {{UKR}}: Seen in use during the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Janovsky |first1=Jakub |last2=naalsio26 |last3=Aloha |last4=Dan |last5=Kemal |last6=Black |first6=Alexander |title=Attack On Europe: Documenting Ukrainian Equipment Losses During The Russian Invasion Of Ukraine |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2022/02/attack-on-europe-documenting-ukrainian.html |website=Oryx |access-date=28 January 2024}}</ref>
* {{flag|Vietnam}}: [[Jiefang CA-30]] variants from China

==See also==
[[File:ZiL-157 truck in Russia.jpg|thumb|right]]
{{Commons category|ZIL-157}}
*[[Katyusha rocket launcher]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120111172814/http://zil157.com/ Fan-Club ZIL-157]
*[http://www.russianmilitarytrucks.com/phpBB3/index.php English website for Russian Military Trucks]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfQkkqripWo Short movie about the ZIL-157, with Russian comment]
*[http://drawingdatabase.com/zil-157/ Russian drawings of ZIL-157]
*{{cite web|url=http://www.krasnayazvezda.com/terre/materiels/camions/zil157.php|title=ZIL 157 at Etoile Rouge|publisher= Clement Hourbe & Aymeric Lopez|date=2010|access-date=2014-10-28}}

{{more footnotes needed|date=December 2014}}

[[Category:ZiL vehicles]]
[[Category:Military trucks of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced in the 1950s]]