The heavy flamethrower system (TOS) created in Omsk terrified those who were not lucky enough to fight against the Soviet army, and then units of the Russian armed forces. Currently, TOSs are also in service with the armies of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Iraq. It is expected that a new modification of the multi-barrel flamethrower will be created on the basis of the heavy unified Armata platform.
The first open materials about the existence of a heavy flamethrower system "Buratino" in the domestic armed forces appeared in our media at the very beginning of the 90s.
CBT of the Russian Army
Although those who served in Afghanistan have heard about the existence of a "tank rocket launcher with vacuum charges" in our country. The most interesting thing is that rumors about such a flamethrower appeared long before its actual use in combat conditions.
True, the initial publications about "Buratino" were guilty of one inaccuracy: for some reason it was indicated that the car was created on the basis of the T-62 tank. Although from the very beginning, the reliable T-72 was used as the basis for packages with guides for launching rockets.
The first open demonstration of this combat vehicle at an exhibition in Omsk made a splash. But the real finest hour was the second military campaign in the North Caucasus. CBTs were used with great success during the assault on the village of Komsomolskoye, where Gelayev's militants had dug in. The use of this technique was also of great psychological importance. The explosions of the Tosovo ammunition greatly demoralized the enemy. It is not for nothing that, as if on command, some central mass media sympathizing with the separatists began to depict the inhumanity of the use of the system. According to some reports, the destruction or damage of TPSs, their calculations were assessed by the command of the militants at the maximum rate. But the combat vehicles were well guarded, they were accompanied by T-72 tanks, and there were no losses.
TOS-1A "Solntsepek" of the Armed Forces of Kazakhstan
In the course of its production, heavy flamethrower systems and ammunition for them were continuously improved. If initially the TOS was criticized for allegedly insufficient firing range (about 3.6 km), because of which combat vehicles could be hit by direct fire from enemy armored vehicles, then later ammunition was created that could hit targets at a distance of up to 6 km. As a result, the threat of defeat was significantly reduced.
At the beginning of the new century, Omsk designers developed another modification, which received the designation TOS-1A "Solntsepek". As reported on the website of the manufacturer of this equipment, the TOS-1A combat vehicle is designed to defeat enemy manpower located in open areas and in structures, as well as disable lightly armored vehicles and vehicles.
Specifications:
Weight, t. 44, 3
Crew, people 3
Maximum speed km / h 60
Power reserve, km 500
WEAPON
Multi-barrel launcher
Number of guide pipes, pcs. 24
Firing range, m:
- minimum 400
- maximum 6000
Full volley time, sec. 6
Ammunition type NURS.
Immediately after the first open display of this machine, attempts were made to deliver TOSs abroad, but at first they were not very successful. Perhaps due to the fact that an older version was proposed. But in 2010, vehicles with improved ammunition, with a range of 6 km, were already presented at an exhibition in Jordan. The Jordanians are seriously interested in the Russian assumption.
The possibility of installing a heavy flamethrower system on the chassis of Jordan's surplus of American M-60 main battle tanks was studied. Although the capabilities of this system make it possible to mount it literally on any chassis of modern tanks. Taking into account the peculiarities of this Middle Eastern state, in addition to the M-60, the chassis of not only the outdated Tariq or Khalid tanks, but even the relatively recently acquired Challenger 1, called Al-Hussein, could be used.
However, the first country to purchase TPSs was the former Soviet republic, and now one of the most reliable Russian partners, independent Kazakhstan. Initially, three such combat vehicles were delivered. They differed from the heavy flamethrowers in service with the Russian army, first of all, by the use of the chassis of the T-90 tank.
Arrival of "Solntsepek" in Azerbaijan
The next country to purchase TOS-1A flamethrower systems, also based on the T-90, was Azerbaijan. Currently, the armed forces of this country have purchased 6 of these machines.
At the end of July 2014, in connection with a sharp aggravation of the situation in Iraq, the Ministry of Defense of this country acquired several Solntsepeks in Russia. True, to date, there have been no reports of the combat use of these machines. Probably, while the technique is in the development stage.
It is assumed that in the coming years, a new version of the heavy flamethrower system will enter service with the Russian army, which will be based on the promising Armata platform.
In service with the Iraqi army
This vehicle will feature unprecedented security and significantly higher mobility. The crew will receive the latest aiming devices, which will allow them to act as confidently at night in bad weather conditions as during the day. The renewed "Solntsepek" - "Armata" will be integrated into the automated control systems of the tactical level. Apparently, new ammunition with significantly improved range and destruction characteristics will be developed for TOS.
