The ASU-57 is a Tank Destroyer and one of the lightest armored fighting vehicles of the Cold War, designed in the Soviet Union for airborne and air-assault units. Entering service in the early 1960s, it was air-droppable or transportable by helicopter and provided airborne troops with direct fire against light armour and fortifications; it saw use in exercises and limited deployments and was eventually replaced by the ASU-85. The vehicle weighs only 3.3 tonnes and is crewed by three — driver, gunner, and loader — on a tracked chassis. A M-20 diesel engine delivers 55 horsepower for a 16.7 hp/t power-to-weight ratio and a top speed of 46 km/h forward and 5 km/h in reverse.
Armament consists of the 57mm Ch-51M gun with HE and AP (BR-271M) ammunition; there is no stabilizer or laser rangefinder, and the gunner uses a 5.5x telescope sight. Protection is minimal by design, with the vehicle relying on small size and mobility to avoid detection and engagement.
