The Russian army and several foreign countries are armed with unique combat vehicles - heavy flamethrower systems of the TOS-1 family. This technique is a special version of a multiple launch rocket system that uses ammunition with a thermobaric warhead. A simultaneous salvo of several dozen missiles with similar equipment is capable of destroying enemy personnel and equipment over a large area, which has been repeatedly confirmed in practice. At the same time, the development of such military equipment continues. Two modifications of the TOS-1 already exist and are in operation, and in the near future the next version will have to enter service.
The history of a whole family of heavy flamethrower systems dates back to the early seventies, when Soviet industry was instructed to work out the possibility of creating new types of equipment. By this time, several new MLRS had been developed and tested, and the creation of a heavy system of this class was seen as a logical continuation of this. In this case, a heavy MLRS was supposed to use ammunition with incendiary warheads or volumetric explosion charges.
Heavy flamethrower system TOS-1 "Buratino" in Afghanistan, 1988-89. Photo Russianarms.ru
The design of the first prototype of the future family started in 1971 and continued until the end of the decade. The main contractor of the work was the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering. The development of a launcher for rockets and related equipment was entrusted to the Special Design Bureau of the Perm Machine-Building Plant. Ammunition of new types was to be developed by the State Research and Production Enterprise "Splav".
The first "Buratino"
From a certain time, a promising multiple launch rocket system with incendiary and thermobaric ammunition began to be designated as a heavy flamethrower system. In accordance with this, subsequently the first sample of such equipment under the working designation "Object 634" was called TOS-1, code "Buratino". An unusual piece of equipment became famous just under these names in a few decades.
Calculations showed that the firing range of new high-power projectiles would not exceed several kilometers, and therefore the combat vehicle needed serious protection. For this reason, the basis for the "Object 634" was the chassis of the main battle tank T-72 with combined anti-cannon armor on the frontal projection. For use in the new project, a number of "tank" units were removed from the chassis, and also equipped with some new devices. Perhaps the most notable chassis innovation is a pair of hydraulic jacks aft.
TOS-1 and an old transport and loading vehicle on a car chassis. Photo Russianarms.ru
SKB PMZ has developed a new launcher designed to work with advanced rockets. On the pursuit of the body, it was proposed to place a rotary platform with outboard brackets, on which the pins of the package of guides were fixed. The launcher received its own guidance drives, controlled from the crew's workplaces. With the help of a remote control, the gunner can control the rotation of the entire installation and the inclination of the rail package.
The TOS-1 project envisaged the use of a launcher with 30 guide pipes. The pipes were arranged in four horizontal rows. At the same time, the three lower rows included eight pipes, and the upper one was less wide and consisted of only six. A package of guides on all sides was protected by an armored casing. Its front and rear walls were removed before firing or reloading.
The crew of "Buratino" consisted of three people - the driver, the commander and the gunner. All of them were located inside the hull, below the roof level. The equipment of the commander's and gunner's workplaces provided observation, search for targets and the subsequent aiming of weapons. For TOS-1, a new fire control system had to be developed, taking into account the characteristics of the existing weapons.
According to the project, the heavy flamethrower system was supposed to use an unguided rocket MO.1.01.04. This product had a tubular body without a pronounced head fairing; in the tail section there were stabilizers that could be deployed in flight. The total length of the rocket is 3.72 m, the diameter is 220 mm. The launch weight is 175 kg. More than half of the hull length was given under the warhead weighing 73 kg. The projectile can be equipped with a liquid thermobaric mixture with a bursting charge and an igniter or smoke-incendiary composition. The remaining volumes of the hull were intended for a solid-propellant rocket engine.
The modernized system of the TOS-1A "Solntsepek" type. Photo by NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / uvz.ru
The MO.1.01.04 projectile was distinguished by ambiguous flight data, which led to some reduction in firing characteristics. It can be used to attack targets at ranges of at least 400 m and no more than 3.6 km. The firing range is changed by raising the launcher to the required elevation angle. This kind of data is generated by the fire control system.
To work with the "Object 634", a special transport-loading vehicle was created. On the serial KRAZ-255B chassis, devices were mounted for storing and transporting 30 missiles, as well as crane equipment for their reloading onto the launcher. TPM calculation - 3 people. When the two crews worked together, 30 minutes were given to fully recharge the TOS-1 according to the standards.
At the turn of the seventies and eighties, a new model of military equipment passed all the necessary tests and received a recommendation for adoption. In 1980, a corresponding order was issued. However, mass production did not start for a number of reasons. For a long time, the army had only a few combat and transport-loading vehicles.
In December 1988, a couple of existing TOS-1s went to Afghanistan to participate in Operation Typhoon. Such tests in real conflict conditions ended in success. "Buratino" showed high efficiency of fire on targets in mountainous conditions. It is known that during some firing, unexpected effects were observed: shock waves from the explosions of different missiles were reflected from the terrain and reinforced each other.
"Solntsepek" and elements of its fire control system. Figure Btvt.narod.ru
Based on the results of combat work in Afghanistan, the TOS-1 system was again recommended for adoption. Only after this did the army manage to find an opportunity to purchase a small batch of equipment. According to various sources, over the course of several years, the Soviet and then the Russian army received only a dozen combat vehicles. This technique is operated by units of the RChBZ troops.
In 1999, two decades after its appearance, the TOS-1 heavy flamethrower system was first presented to the public. A few months later, in the spring of 2000, the public first learned about the combat work of such samples. Then rocket artillery had to be used during the hostilities in Chechnya. The high efficiency of fire was shown again.
Improved "Solntsepek"
For all its positive features, TOS-1 was not devoid of disadvantages. In the late nineties and early 2000s, the operator's wishes were implemented in a modernization project called TOS-1A "Solntsepek". In the course of work on this project, certain changes were made to the design of all elements of the complex. Moreover, one of them has been radically revised.
TOS-1A, rear view. Photo by NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / uvz.ru
In the course of testing and actual operation, criticism was repeatedly expressed regarding the existing rail package with 30 pipes. His protection was considered insufficient, which could lead to the most dire consequences. Fortunately, during the entire operation of the equipment, there was not a single case of hitting guides and missiles, followed by a fire. Nevertheless, such customer requirements were taken into account when creating a combat vehicle "Object 634B" (BM-1).
It differs from the basic model BM-1, first of all, in a different package of guides. The machine now carries only three rows of launch rails, eight each. In this case, the pipes are located inside the armored casing with an increased level of protection. At the cost of a slight reduction in firepower, it was possible to dramatically increase survivability on the battlefield.
The modernization of the existing missile was carried out. The updated product MO.1.01.04M received an improved jet engine, thanks to which the flight range increased to 6 km. Thanks to the appearance of a new projectile, the TOS-1A can fire at a target from outside the reach of part of the enemy's ground weapons. In particular, now the complex is not threatened by existing types of tanks.
Transport and loading vehicle TZM-T / "Object 563". Photo Vitalykuzmin.net
The existing transport and loading vehicle based on a wheeled vehicle did not fully meet the requirements, and therefore it was decided to replace it. The structure of "Solntsepek" includes a new vehicle TZM-T ("Object 563"), built on the chassis of the T-72 tank. On special cargo devices with armor protection, it carries 24 unguided missiles. In addition, TZM-T is equipped with its own crane, which facilitates the work of the calculation. The chassis unification significantly simplifies the joint operation of the two vehicles of the complex.
The Russian army, which already had a number of TOS-1 systems, acquired a small batch of newer TOS-1A systems. Also, foreign countries are interested in this technique; Kazakhstan became the first foreign customer. Later, there were orders from Iraq, Syria and Azerbaijan. It should be noted that all foreign customers, with the exception of Kazakhstan, have already tried out "Solntsepek" in battle under certain conditions. In particular, with the help of "Solntsepek", the Iraqi and Syrian armies have repeatedly attacked terrorist targets.
Wheeled "Tosochka"
About a year ago, representatives of the Splav enterprise announced the imminent appearance of a new heavy flamethrower system, which is a further development of the existing Buratino and Solntsepek. Another development of this kind received a funny and frivolous working title - "Tosochka". At that time, the promising complex was not yet ready for demonstration to the general public, but its developers had already announced some technical and other details.
The main innovation of the Tosochka project will be a wheeled chassis. Existing designs are based on tracked tank chassis, which can limit their mobility. It is assumed that the wheeled flamethrower system will be able to move faster to the indicated positions using existing highways. However, the developers of the project have not yet specified the type of chassis for the new flamethrower system. From the existing models "Tosochka" will also differ in a reduced level of protection, which should affect the features of combat use. This system will have to be used primarily in closed firing positions.
"Solntsepek" is firing. Photo by NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / uvz.ru
Already last year it became known that the new State Armaments Program, designed for 2018-2025, provides for the purchase of a certain number of promising heavy flamethrower systems. A little later, in January of this year, it was announced that the assembly of a prototype of the Tosochka system was started. Approximately in 2020, such equipment is planned to be transferred for experimental military operation. In a few years after that, the army will be able to get production samples.
Unfortunately, the Russian defense industry is only talking about its new development, but is in no hurry to show it. However, at the end of May it was announced that in the near future several promising models of rocket artillery would be presented at once. One of the "premieres" will be the Tosochka heavy flamethrower system. Probably, the first demonstration of an experienced combat vehicle will remove a lot of questions, and also lead to the appearance of others.
Development continues
The idea of a specialized multiple launch rocket system using projectiles with a thermobaric warhead appeared in the early seventies, but it seems that it still remains relevant. To implement this idea in our country, two versions of specialized combat vehicles have already been created, designed for the use of special rockets. In addition, development work is underway to create a new model of this kind.
Undermining unguided rockets at the target. Photo by NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / uvz.ru
It is easy to see what changes the appearance of domestic heavy flamethrower systems underwent during the modernization. So, initially TOS-1 "Buratino" could work in the same battle formations with tanks and attack the enemy at the front line. The first processing within the framework of the TOS-1A "Solntsepek" project retained all these features, but provided for the improvement of the protection characteristics and the unification of the main elements of the complex. The latest project at the moment, called "Tosochka", offers an increase in the mobility of the flamethrower system through the use of a fundamentally new chassis.
With systems such as "Solntsepek" and "Tosochka", the army can effectively solve various combat missions, the implementation of which directly depends on the characteristics of the equipment. In some situations, TOS-1A will turn out to be a more convenient and effective tool, while in other conditions it will be more profitable to use Tosochka. Such flexibility of use will make it possible to better realize the entire combat potential of heavy flamethrower systems.
The Russian army is armed with multiple launch rocket systems of several types, including unique samples using thermobaric ammunition. Despite its considerable age and specific combat missions, such equipment remains in service and finds application in real conflicts. Moreover, the concept underlying it is being developed and opens up new horizons for the army.
