One of the most interesting examples of Russian-made rocket artillery is the TOS-1 "Buratino" heavy flamethrower system. This complex combines the best qualities of armored vehicles, multiple launch rocket systems and flamethrower weapons, which gives it high combat qualities. The history of the creation of the flamethrower system is no less remarkable. It demonstrates the development process of technology and related ideas.
Distant past
The roots of the TOS-1 project go back to the late fifties. At that time, several domestic organizations were engaged in the further development of flamethrower systems for ground armored vehicles. In the early sixties, this work led to interesting results. However, to the modern "Buratino" was still far away.
VNII-100 and several other organizations, studying the prospects of flamethrowers, came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create special artillery systems with incendiary ammunition. In 1961-62. created and tested a prototype of such a complex. In addition, on the basis of one of the existing tanks, a self-propelled gun with an original flamethrower armament was designed.
That project did not end with the successful construction of full-fledged equipment, but it allowed to accumulate the necessary experience. In practice, they confirmed the possibility of creating an incendiary projectile with liquid combat equipment for cannon or rocket systems. In the near future, the existing developments were to be used in new projects.
Research work
In 1969, Major General V. K. Pikalov. He believed that his troops needed new types of weapons and equipment, incl. own specialized artillery with the possibility of flamethrowing. It was on the initiative of the new command of the RKhBZ troops that the development of a promising project, now known under the code "Buratino", began.
In the early seventies, Major General Pikalov visited the Tula Research Institute-147 (now NPO "Splav") and instructed him to work out the appearance of a multiple launch rocket system for the RChBZ troops. At that time, the institute was engaged in the development of projects of modern MLRS for the ground forces and already had sufficient experience.
The development of the preliminary project was carried out until August 1972, NII-147 proposed the general appearance of a promising MLRS. It was proposed to build a combat vehicle on the chassis of a T-72 tank and equip a package of guides for special rockets. Ammunition with a fire mixture was supposed to fly 3 km. The complex also included a transport-loading vehicle on an automobile chassis.
The main problem at that time was the creation of a workable rocket with a liquid combat load. For this, it was necessary to carry out a separate research work with the involvement of several organizations. NII-147 supervised the creation of the projectile. Several organizations of the chemical industry participated in the creation of fuel for the engine and mixture for the warhead. It was at this time that the Research Institute of Applied Chemistry began the development of promising fire mixtures for thermobaric charges.
R&D participants developed a large number of different components and chose the most successful ones. Two dozen fire mixtures and four charge options for spraying and igniting them reached the test. In the mid-seventies, all these developments were tested, in which the most effective were identified. The tests ended with the salvo firing of experienced projectiles from a ballistic installation.
Project "Buratino"
During the tests, the required and declared characteristics of the rocket were confirmed. This made it possible to continue the work and start creating a full-fledged artillery complex for the RChBZ troops. The corresponding resolution of the Council of Ministers appeared in 1976.
At this stage, a new organization was added to the list of project participants. The Omsk SKB-174 (now Omsktransmash from the NPK Uralvagonzavod) was entrusted with the revision of the serial tank chassis. The improvement of rockets was carried out by the forces of the same organizations as before.
The tank chassis received a set of new equipment - a launcher with guidance in two planes, fire control devices, aft jacks, etc. According to some reports, a launcher for 24 shells was originally proposed. The guides were placed in three rows of eight each. Subsequently, a fourth row with six pipes was built over them, after which the installation acquired its final form.
For a number of reasons, the projectile for the TOS-1 was distinguished by high ballistics, which made special demands on fire control equipment. The project participants have developed a rather complex and perfect LMS, which includes various devices. It included an optical sight, a laser rangefinder, a set of vehicle and launcher position sensors, and a ballistic computer. All this made it possible to obtain the desired indicators of fire accuracy.
The first prototypes of the TOS-1 "Buratino" appeared in the late seventies and were used in tests. Already in 1980, the system showed all its capabilities and received a recommendation for adoption. However, the real adoption happened much later.
R&D "Ognivo"
Initially, only incendiary rockets were intended for TOS-1. However, since the end of the sixties, the development of thermobaric fire mixtures was carried out, capable of seriously increasing the combat qualities of equipment. In 1985, R&D started with the code "Ognivo", the purpose of which was to introduce existing developments into the TOS-1 project.
The result of the new work was the appearance of the MO.1.01.04 type projectile. In terms of its technical characteristics, it was similar to the existing ammunition, but differed in the type of warhead. A thermobaric charge made it possible to influence the target with both a flame and a shock wave. In salvo firing, such warheads gave new advantages: the shock waves of several explosions interacted and increased the overall impact on the target.
TOS-1 in service
In 1988, two TOS-1 combat vehicles went to Afghanistan to be tested in a real conflict. Together with them, it was planned to test rockets with both variants of the combat load. It should be noted that at that time the "Buratino" system was not officially in service, although the corresponding recommendation was received several years ago.
The heavy flamethrower system has been repeatedly used to combat various objects and has proven itself well. Special results were shown by shells with thermobaric equipment. In mountainous terrain, their fighting qualities improved due to some characteristic factors.
Despite the successful application in Afghanistan, the TOS-1 did not enter service again. Only in 1995 the necessary order appeared, and the product "Buratino" was officially included in the fleet of equipment of the RChBZ troops. The next year, small-scale production started in the interests of the Russian army.
From "Buratino" to "Solntsepek"
From the very beginning, TOS-1 was criticized for its short firing range - no more than 3-3.5 km, which led to certain risks. In the second half of the nineties, NPO Splav and related enterprises carried out R&D "Solntsepek", which resulted in the appearance of the TOS-1A complex.
As part of the work, "Solntsepek" designed two new rockets. With the same caliber, they differed in greater length and mass, which made it possible to use a new jet engine and increase the flight range to 6000-6700 m. The combat load remained the same.
The increase in mass has led to the need to recycle the launcher. The top row of guides was removed from the package, reducing the ammunition load to 24 units. Also needed was the modernization of the MSA, taking into account the increased characteristics of the missiles.
The heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "Solntsepek" has also entered service and is being mass-produced. However, as in the case of its predecessor, the rate of release was not too high. The total fleet of TOS-1 and TOS-1A in our army does not exceed several dozen units.
Special tool
Work on the creation of heavy flame-throwing systems, the result of which was the appearance of "Buratino" and "Solntsepek", started almost half a century ago. The development of this technique was not quick and easy, but it still led to the desired results. The RChBZ troops, as planned by their command, received their own multiple launch rocket systems.
Thanks to this, the army as a whole received a special tool for solving certain combat missions. TOS-1 (A) successfully complements other MLRS with a "traditional" combat load of projectiles and increases the flexibility of using rocket artillery. "Buratino" and "Solntsepek" after a long wait found their place in the army.
