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, Second Chechen War, 2014 Iraq conflict,[1] Syrian Civil War, Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
Production history
Designer Omsk Transmash Design Bureau
Designed 1988
Produced 1988–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 500–3,500m (TOS-1)
6,000m (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: ТОС-1 – тяжёлая огнемётная система, English: 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 war in Afghanistan. The TOS-1 was shown for the first time in public in 1999 in Omsk.

The TOS-1 is not used by the artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces but is found in NBC defense units (Russian: войскa радиационной, химической и биологической защиты (РХБЗ)).[2]

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.

Combat history

TOS-1s were first used in combat in Afghanistan’s Panjshir valley by the Soviet Union. Later, they were prominently used in the Battle of Grozny in 1999 by the Russian Army.

TOS-1As were first used in combat in Iraq in the recapture of Jurf Al Sakhar on October 24, 2014 from ISIL forces.[3]

The OSCE reported in September 2015 that the TOS-1 was sighted in a rebel training area in eastern Ukraine.[4]

TOS-1 was used in Syria on October 10, 2015 by Syrian Army forces against rebel forces in Hama.

Azerbaijan used the TOS-1A against the Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Army on April 4, 2016.[5]

System description

The TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" (Russian: Солнцепёк, English: Blazing sun or Sunheat) system consists of the following items:[6][7]

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. ↑ Salami, Jassem Al. "Led by an Armored Bulldozer, Shia Militia Fought to Restore Their Credibility". War is Boring. Medium.com. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
  4. ↑ Ukraine rebels have powerful new Russian-made rockets – OSCE
  5. ↑ "For the first time Azerbaijan has used heavy flamethrower systems". AZERI DAILY. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  6. ↑ http://www.military-today.com/artillery/tos_1a.htm
  7. ↑ "Тяжёлая огнемётная система ТОС-1А". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  8. ↑ Еще одна сенсационная сделка: Азербайджан закупил огнеметные системы ТОС-1А на базе Т-90 (in Russian). Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  9. ↑ "APA – Russia to deliver another batch of TOS-1A heavy flamethrowers to Azerbaijan in the near future". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  10. ↑ "bmpd". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  11. ↑ "TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher". Bubblews. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  12. ↑ Ukraine rebels have powerful new Russian-made rockets – OSCE
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ "Hier zerstört Putins Höllenkanone eine Festung der Rebellen" (in German). STERN.de. Retrieved 2 February 2016.

External links

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