TOS-1

ТОС-1
TOS-1 Buratino
ТОS-1A – Russian 24-barrel multiple rocket launcher
Type Multiple rocket launcher
Place of origin Soviet Union
Service history
In service 1988–present
Used by Soviet Union, Russian Federation, Azerbaijan
Wars Soviet–Afghan War
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Second Chechen War
Iraqi Civil War (2014–present),[1]
Syrian Civil War
War in Donbass
Production history
Designer Omsk Transmash Design Bureau
Designed 1988
Produced 1987–present
Variants TOS-1A
Specifications
Weight 45.3 t (100,000 lb)
Length 9.5 m (31 ft 2 in)
Width 3.6 m (11 ft 10 in)
Height 2.22 m (7 ft 3 in)
Crew 3
Caliber 220 mm (8.7 in)
Rate of fire 30 rounds/15 s
Effective firing range 500–3,500 m (TOS-1)
6,000 m (TOS-1A)
Engine V-84 Diesel
840 hp (630 kW)
Operational
range
 550 km (340 mi)
Speed 60 km/h (37 mph)

TOS-1 (Russian: тяжёлая огнемётная система (ТОС-1), Heavy Flamethrower System) is a Soviet 220mm 30-barrel (original system, Ob.634 or TOS-1M) or 24-barrel (Ob.634B or TOS-1A) multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed for defeating enemy personnel in fortifications, in open country, and in lightly armoured vehicles and transport. First combat tests took place in 1988–1989 in the Panjshir Valley during the Soviet–Afghan War. The TOS-1 was shown for the first time in public in 1999 in Omsk.

TOS-1 is not assigned to the artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces but is found in Russian CBRN defense units RKhBZ (Russian: войскa радиационной, химической и биологической защиты (войска РХБЗ), Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops).[2] That is why it does not have a GRAU index, but rather an RKhBZ index—МO.1.01.00.

Development

The idea of a heavy short-range MLRS to launch rockets equipped with incendiary and thermobaric warheads arose in the late 1970s. The combat system consisting of the combat vehicle, rockets, and loading vehicle was developed in early 1980s at KBTM in Omsk and was named TOS-1, remaining a secret development for a long time.

The TOS-1 is intended to engage military personnel, equipment, and buildings, including fortified constructions. The combat vehicle acts within the combat order of infantry and tanks. The large mass of the launcher and the need for a high-level of protection (due to the relatively short range of 3,500 m (11,500 ft)) helped determine the use of the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank. The TZM reloading vehicle was built on the chassis of a KrAZ-255B cross-country truck and equipped with a crane for loading/unloading of the launcher.

In 2001, the improved TOS-1A system entered service. The improved system's range has been extended to 6 kilometers and its ballistic computer has been upgraded.

The nickname "Buratino" originates with the name of the hero of a Russian retelling of the Pinocchio tale (by Alexey Tolstoy), given the perception of the big "nose" of the launcher.

In September 2016, Russia was developing a new rocket for the TOS-1A with a planned range of 10 km, achieved in part by weight and size reductions of a new fuel air explosive mixture in the warhead, while also increasing the power of the warhead. However, minimum range is extended from 400 m to 1.6 km, so the shorter-range M0.1.01.04M rocket will be retained for close combat environments.[3]

In 2018, Russian chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection troops (RKhBZ) received 30 TOS-1A Solntsepyok (Sunburn) 220 mm multiple rocket launchers.[4]

Saudi Arabian Military Industries signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Rosoboronexport for the local production of the TOS-1A.[5]

Combat history

Heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A in action

TOS-1s were first used in combat[6] in Afghanistan's Panjshir valley by the Soviet Union during the Soviet–Afghan War.[7][8] Later, they were used during the Second Chechen War, prominently by the Russian Army during the Battle of Grozny in 1999.[9]

TOS-1As were first used in combat in Iraq by the Iraqi Army in the recapture of Jurf Al Sakhar on October 24, 2014 from ISIL forces.[10] The Iraqi Army launched at least three TOS-1 rockets on 18 June 2017 during the first day of an offensive to recapture the Old City of Mosul, Iraq, from the Islamic State, targeting school buildings held by Islamic State forces and known to be devoid of civilians.[11]

The OSCE reported in September 2015 that the TOS-1 was sighted in a rebel training area in eastern Ukraine.[12]

The TOS-1 was used in Syria on October 10, 2015 by Syrian Army forces against rebel forces in Hama.[13][14] In 2016 it was used against rebel forces in the Latakia mouintains.[15] It was used again by the Syrian Army in April 2017 in the area of Palmyra,[16] and later that same month to destroy an ISIS camp.[17]

Azerbaijan used the TOS-1A against the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army on April 4, 2016.[18]

System description

The TOS-1A Solntsepyok (Russian: Солнцепёк, Blazing Sun, Sunheat) system consists of the following items:[19][20]

  • The "combat vehicle" BM-1 (Russian: боевая машина) (Ob.634B) based on a modified T-72A chassis and fitted with a rotating launch system for 24 unguided thermobaric rockets. All rockets can be launched within 6 to 12 seconds. The launch vehicle is equipped with a fire control system with a ballistic computer, aiming sight and 1D14 laser range finder. The other standard equipment consists of a TKN-3A sight for the commander, a GPK-59 navigation system, an R-163-50U radio station, an R-174 intercom and a 902G smoke grenade launcher with four barrels. The 3-man crew is armed with one AKS-74, one RPKS-74, three RPG-26s, and 10 F-1 hand grenades. The BM-1 is fitted with the same equipment as the T-72 tank (NBC protection, fire-fighting, observation etc.).
  • Two TZM-T (Russian: транспортно-заряжающая машина) (Ob.563) re-supply vehicles, fitted with a 10 kN crane. Each vehicle carries 2x12 spare rockets and 400 litres of fuel for the BM-1 and has a combat weigh of 39 t (86,000 lb). The TZM-T has a crew of three, armed with two AKS-74s, one RPKS-74, five RPG-26s, and 10 F-1 hand grenades.
  • A set of rockets NURS (Russian: неуправляемый реактивный снаряд) MO.1.01.04 and MO.1.01.04M. These are 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) and 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) long and weigh 173 kg (381 lb) and 217 kg (478 lb) respectively. The original rocket for the TOS-1A had a range of only 2,700 m (8,900 ft), but the improved version extends the range to 6,000 m (20,000 ft). Some sources say its range is 12 km.[21] The system was modernized in 2016.[22] Modernized systems with dynamic protection, new engine and launchers and other improvements were delivered in early 2018.[23][24]

Operators

Map with TOS-1 operators in blue

Current operators

Former operators

References

  1. ↑ "Iraq: See the EXPLOSIVE Russian firepower helping Iraqi forces fight IS". YouTube. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. ↑ http://www.otvaga2004.narod.ru/otvaga2004/caleidoscope/flamethrowers_1.htm Archived February 14, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ Russia's TOS-1A 'Sunheat' Heavy Flamethrower Just Nearly Doubled Its Range - Sputniknews.com, 22 September 2016
  4. ↑ "Russian CBRN protection troops receive 30 TOS-1A MRLs | Jane's 360". www.janes.com. Retrieved 2018-09-12.
  5. ↑ "Saudi Arabia signs agreement to manufacture Russian weapons locally". english.alarabiya.net.
  6. ↑ Deutschland+Russland (21 September 2015). "Putin schickt nach Syrien & Irak die effektivste Waffe gegen den IS - TOS-1A" – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "This Russian Tank-Mounted Rocket Launcher Can Incinerate 8 City Blocks". 14 September 2015.
  8. ↑ Pike, John. "TOS-1 Buratino 220mm Multiple Rocket Launcher". www.globalsecurity.org.
  9. ↑ Boring, War Is (28 March 2015). "The Chechen Wars Cast a Long Shadow".
  10. ↑ Salami, Jassem Al. "Led by an Armored Bulldozer, Shia Militia Fought to Restore Their Credibility". War is Boring. Medium.com. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  11. ↑ Morris, Loveday, "Iraqi forces fight their way into the narrow streets of Mosul’s historic center," Washington Post, June 18, 2017.
  12. 1 2 "Ukraine rebels 'have new rockets'". 2 October 2015 – via www.bbc.com.
  13. ↑ "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  14. ↑ odzadze123 (25 November 2015). "TOS-1 Buratino Russian MLRS, burn up islamic terrorists in Hama" – via YouTube.
  15. ↑ "YouTube". www.youtube.com.
  16. ↑ http://vpk-news.ru/news/36062 (in Russian)
  17. ↑ "Liveleak.com - TOS-1 "Buratino" burns terrorist's camp".
  18. ↑ "For the first time Azerbaijan has used heavy flamethrower systems". AZERI DAILY. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  19. ↑ ARG. "TOS-1A Heavy Flamethrower System - Military-Today.com". www.military-today.com.
  20. ↑ "Тяжёлая огнемётная система ТОС-1А". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "The Global Intelligence Files - RUSSIA - New brigade for radiation defence formed in Russia's Southern Military District". wikileaks.org.
  22. ↑ "Russian defense contractor puts new types of armament into production this year".
  23. ↑ "ЦАМТО / Новости / На вооружение полка РХБ защиты ЗВО поступили модернизированные тяжелые огнеметные системы ТОС-1А «Солнцепек»". www.armstrade.org.
  24. ↑ "ЦАМТО / Новости / В ЮВО поступили модернизированные тяжелые огнеметные системы ТОС-1А «Буратино»". www.armstrade.org.
  25. ↑ "Алжир закупил у России ТОС-1А "Солнцепек"". Военное.РФ.
  26. ↑ "Les premières images du TOS 1A Algérien - MENADEFENSE". MENADEFENSE (in French). 2018-02-22. Retrieved 2018-02-28.
  27. ↑ "Algeria unveils Tos-1A - Jane's 360". www.janes.com.
  28. ↑ Еще одна сенсационная сделка: Азербайджан закупил огнеметные системы ТОС-1А на базе Т-90 (in Russian). Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  29. ↑ "APA – Russia to deliver another batch of TOS-1A heavy flamethrowers to Azerbaijan in the near future". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  30. ↑ The Military Balance 2017, p.201
  31. ↑ "Russia details USD200 million arms sale to Armenia". Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 22 July 2018.
  32. ↑ "bmpd". Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  33. ↑ "ЦАМТО / Новости / «Известия»: тяжелая огнеметная система «Солнцепек» получит новейшие дальнобойные ракеты". www.armstrade.org.
  34. ↑ "TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher". Bubblews. Archived from the original on 18 December 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  35. ↑ Eugene Yanko, Copyright 1997 – info@warfare.ru. "TOS-1 Buratino Flamethrower | Russian Arms, Military Technology, Analysis of Russia's Military Forces". Warfare.ru. Retrieved 2012-07-22.
  36. ↑ "Войска ЦВО получили комплект тяжелых огнеметов "Солнцепек"". Rossiyskaya Gazeta. 2018-02-14.
  37. ↑ "ЦАМТО / Новости / ТОС-1А «Солнцепек» последней модификации впервые поступили в общевойсковую армию ВВО в Приамурье". www.armstrade.org.
  38. ↑ "Solntsepek triples fire power of RChB troops, Eastern Military District : Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation". eng.mil.ru.
  39. ↑ "ЦАМТО / Новости / Новое подразделение РХБ защиты на Алтае получило на вооружение тяжелые огнеметные системы «Солнцепек»". www.armstrade.org.
  40. ↑ https://www.janes.com/article/82729/russian-cbrn-protection-troops-receive-30-tos-1a-mrls
  41. ↑ "Hier zerstört Putins Höllenkanone eine Festung der Rebellen" (in German). STERN.de. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
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