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 | |
| Mass | 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) |
| Maximum 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
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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]
- The "combat vehicle" BM-1 (rus. 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 (rus. 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 (rus. 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).
Operators
Current operators
Azerbaijan – 18[8][9]
Armenia - Part of Russian-Armenian arms deal[10]
Iraq – 12[11][12]
Kazakhstan – 3[13]
Novorossiya – 1. The OSCE reported in September 2015 that the TOS-1 was sighted in a rebel training area in eastern Ukraine.[14]
Russia – ~15[15]
Syria – 1+[16]
Former operators
Soviet Union – Passed on to successor states.
References
- ^ "Iraq: See the EXPLOSIVE Russian firepower helping Iraqi forces fight IS". YouTube. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ http://www.otvaga2004.narod.ru/otvaga2004/caleidoscope/flamethrowers_1.htm Template:Wayback
- ^ Salami, Jassem Al. "Led by an Armored Bulldozer, Shia Militia Fought to Restore Their Credibility". War is Boring. Medium.com. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
- ^ Ukraine rebels have powerful new Russian-made rockets – OSCE
- ^ "For the first time Azerbaijan has used heavy flamethrower systems". AZERI DAILY. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
- ^ http://www.military-today.com/artillery/tos_1a.htm
- ^ "Тяжёлая огнемётная система ТОС-1А". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ Еще одна сенсационная сделка: Азербайджан закупил огнеметные системы ТОС-1А на базе Т-90 (in Russian). Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ "APA – Russia to deliver another batch of TOS-1A heavy flamethrowers to Azerbaijan in the near future". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ http://www.janes.com/article/58187/russia-details-usd200-million-arms-sale-to-armenia
- ^ "bmpd". Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ http://www.armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2016/0921/101037163/detail.shtml
- ^ "TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher". Bubblews. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
- ^ Ukraine rebels have powerful new Russian-made rockets – OSCE
- ^ 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.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Hier zerstört Putins Höllenkanone eine Festung der Rebellen" (in German). STERN.de. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
External links
