The Russian army is armed with two types of heavy flame-throwing systems - TOS-1 "Buratino" and TOS-1A "Solntsepek". These combat vehicles implement an original concept that has shown its effectiveness in real operations. The development of such ideas continues and is now being carried out within the framework of the Tosochka project. Its result in the future should be the adoption of a new flamethrower system.
History of the project
Industry representatives regularly talk about the progress of the Tosochka project, and the main features of the future machine have already become known. At the same time, while the developers did not manage to disclose other information of no less interest. First of all, this is due to the fact that the project started not so long ago, and while the enterprises have to maintain secrecy.
The Tosochka project was announced in the summer of 2017 during the MAKS salon. The development of this sample is carried out at NPO Splav. The project involved the development of existing ideas using new components. It was argued that the supplies of the new TPS to the Russian army would be carried out within the framework of the new State Armaments Program, designed for 2018-2025. It was also planned to introduce the system to the international market.
In January last year, the management of the Tekhmash concern, to which NPO Splav belongs, spoke about the success of the Tosochka project. By that time, the development organization had begun to manufacture a prototype of the flamethrower system. Such a prototype was supposed to go to preliminary tests in the near future.
Interesting information came in April 2018. Then the leadership of "Techmash" said that in 2019 it is planned to conduct state tests of the new TPS, and already in 2020, experimental military operation will begin. The relatively fast development and testing of a promising sample is directly related to the architecture used.
In July, Techmash clarified the current status of the project. Work on "Tosochka" at that time was going according to plan. They were planned to be completed within the next few years. Thus, in 2019-2020. we should wait for the appearance of full-fledged samples suitable for putting into service.
During the recent exhibition "Army-2019", the topic of TOS "Tosochka" was raised again. The development organization has successfully coped with the tasks, and now the project is entering the stage of state testing. At the same time, the timing of such work was not specified.
Technical features
Unfortunately, most of the information about the technical appearance of the future "Tosochka" has not yet been disclosed. The development organizations have repeatedly mentioned only certain features of the technical appearance and the expected results of the project. However, these data also create an interesting picture.
Back in 2017, NPO Splav revealed one of the main features of the project. The existing serial TOS of domestic production are built on modified tank chassis. The promising "Toosochka" is proposed to be made on a wheeled platform. The experience of operating the TOS-1 under different conditions, including in desert zones, has shown the disadvantages of the tracked chassis and certain advantages of the wheeled chassis.
The type of chassis for "Tosochka" remains unknown, but there is every reason to believe that it will be one of the existing domestic platforms. It follows from this that the new sample will differ from the existing ones not only in the general architecture, but also in a number of other features. Apparently, the level of protection of the crew and units, etc. will be different.
At the same time, there are no plans to modify the launcher. It will be borrowed from the existing sample and will retain the existing design. The 220-mm unguided projectiles with a thermobaric or incendiary warhead will also remain.
It was mentioned that "Tosochka" will differ from "Buratino" and "Solntsepek" by higher tactical and technical characteristics, but specific figures were not given. The areas in which the new sample will surpass the old ones were also not specified. Apparently, the new "Tosochka" will be favorably distinguished by the characteristics of mobility and mobility.
In recent years, news has repeatedly appeared about the development of promising ammunition for domestic TOS, characterized by an increased firing range and increased power. The introduction of such products into the new complex will provide "Tosochka" with well-known advantages in fighting qualities. However, older flamethrower systems will also be able to use similar ammunition.
In addition to a combat vehicle with a launcher, the serial heavy flamethrower systems include a transport-loader with appropriate equipment. How this issue is being addressed in the Tosochka project is unclear. Probably, along with the self-propelled launcher, a unified TPM will enter service.
Advantages and disadvantages
The developers of "Tosochka" have already revealed some details of the project, and also indicated its strengths. The given argumentation looks convincing and, in all likelihood, the new TOC will indeed show high fighting qualities, improved due to the changed architecture.
By retaining the launcher and unguided projectiles, "Tosochka" will be able to show range and power at the level of existing samples. Updating electronic fire control equipment can provide an increase in the accuracy and efficiency of shooting. The development of new and improved ammunition will have similar implications.
The main innovation of the Tosochka project is the transfer of all funds to a wheeled chassis. Such a combat vehicle will be able to independently and without the involvement of tank transporters move along the roads and quickly reach a given position. In this case, however, it can be difficult to work on rough terrain, where the tracked chassis shows known advantages over the wheeled chassis.
It is argued that the decision to transfer the launcher to a wheeled platform is associated with the experience of using "Solntsepek" in the Middle East. With all its advantages, the tracked chassis turned out to be not very convenient for solving specific combat missions on local landscapes.
Operation prospects
Obviously, the Armed Forces of Russia will become the starting customer of "Tosochka". In our army there is a certain number of tracked TOS of old models, and a certain number of wheeled combat vehicles will join them in the future. The main result of this will be the expansion of the capabilities of flamethrower units. Depending on the current situation and existing conditions, the army will be able to send tracked or wheeled flamethrower systems into battle. Directly, the fighting qualities of all TOS should be at the same level.
In the recent past, the TOS-1A complexes were exported. Such equipment is in service with five countries of the near and far abroad, and some of the export combat vehicles have already taken part in real operations. The new project "Tosochka" is being created, among other things, with an eye on the sale of equipment to third countries.
Iraq and Syria may become the first foreign buyers of the new TPS. They have already tried out the TOS-1A, but the tracked chassis of such vehicles does not fully meet the specifics of the application in the region. The wheeled "Tosochka" turns out to be more interesting for the Middle Eastern countries. Delivery abroad and use in a real combat operation can be good advertising, after which other foreign armies will also be interested in Russian equipment.
However, as the experience of the TOS-1 and TOS-1A products shows, the market for heavy flamethrower systems is not very large. Serial production of "Tosochek" for our and foreign armies can be limited to only a few dozen units.
Nevertheless, even in this case, the Tosochka project is of great interest to the Russian army and the armed forces of third countries. According to the available data, experimental military operation of such equipment should start next year, and after that we should expect the launch of a full-fledged serial production for ourselves and for export.
