At the end of the 70s. The development of a heavy flamethrower multiple launch rocket system began. The system was a installation with unguided rocket projectiles. TOS-1 "Buratino" was created on the basis of the T-72 tank. During development, the system was designated “Object 634”. TOS-1 was first used during the Afghan war. The goals of creating a heavy flamethrower installation required it to be installed on a chassis with significant carrying capacity. The designers also had to take into account the relatively low firing range and install a certain level of protection on the combat vehicle. All this significantly made the multiple launch rocket system heavier.
TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek) performance characteristics. Damage area
At the end of the 70s. The development of a heavy flamethrower multiple launch rocket system began. The system was a installation with unguided rocket projectiles. TOS-1 "Buratino" was created on the basis of the T-72 tank. During development, the system was designated “Object 634”. TOS-1 was first used during the Afghan war. The goals of creating a heavy flamethrower installation required it to be installed on a chassis with significant carrying capacity. The designers also had to take into account the relatively low firing range and install a certain level of protection on the combat vehicle. All this significantly made the multiple launch rocket system heavier.
Service and combat use[ | ]
TOS-1A of the 10th NBC Defense Regiment of the 41st Army.
Organizational structure[ | ]
In the Russian Armed Forces, TOS-1s are located in regional chemical warfare brigades, each with a battalion with nine TOS-1A Solntsepek, and in army-subordinate Russian chemical warfare regiments - a company with three combat vehicles each. In total, the troops have 72 flamethrower systems.[15]
Service in the Russian Armed Forces[ | ]
- military unit 71432. 1st mobile NBC protection brigade: at least four BM-1 units and one TZM-T unit[16].
- military unit 07059. 16th separate NBC protection brigade[17]
- military unit 11262. 27th separate NBC protection brigade: a certain number.[18]
- military unit 16383. 40th NBC protection regiment: 3 units of TOS-1A “Solntsepek”.[19]
- military unit 59792. 35th NBC protection regiment: 3 units of TOS-1A “Solntsepek”.[20]
- military unit 41474. 70th separate flamethrower battalion (70 general units): at least two BM-1 units[21].
Combat use[ | ]
During the Afghan War, from December 1988 to February 1989, two Buratino systems were used during Operation Typhoon in combat operations in the Charikar Valley and South Salang. The effect of thermobaric ammunition on targets in the mountains caused great damage to the enemy due to the mutual superposition of air shock waves and their multiple reflections from the surrounding rocks[22].
TOS "Buratino" was used in the Second Chechen War, in particular in the battles for the village of Komsomolskoye in March 2000[23]. Former commander of federal troops in Chechnya and Dagestan during the first and second wars in Chechnya, Colonel General Gennady Troshev in his memoirs about [24].
Observers of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission, designed to facilitate the de-escalation of the armed conflict in eastern Ukraine, in the fall of 2015 reported the discovery of one Buratino MLRS installation at a training ground controlled by the LPR [25][26][27][28].
An unknown number of Russian Federation TOS-1A Solntsepek are deployed in Syria[29]. Including for the protection of the Khmeimim airbase (Latakia province)[30]
Used by government forces during the liberation of Palmyra[31][32]
Used by Azerbaijan on the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2016 and 2022[33]
Used by both sides of the conflict in the second Karabakh war[34][35]
The Iraqi Armed Forces also used the TOS-1A “Solntsepek” installation several times during combat operations. They were first noticed in action against ISIS, in the battles for the city of Jurf Al-Sakhar[36].
TOS-1 "Pinocchio"
A package of 30 guides for NURSs was mounted in the swinging part of the launcher on a rotating platform. The complex included a combat vehicle - a launcher, NURS, and a transport-loading vehicle. Actions to point the installation at the target are carried out using a sight and power servo drives. The TOS-1 was equipped with a special fire control system, including an optical sight, a roll sensor, a laser range finder, and an electronic ballistic computer. An unguided rocket consists of a warhead, a fuse, and a solid propellant jet engine. The transport-loading vehicle is created on the basis of an off-road truck chassis and is used to transport NURS and load the launcher.
The TOS-1 Buratino multiple launch rocket system was intended to disable automobile and lightly armored vehicles, destroy buildings and structures, and destroy enemy personnel. The defeat of the enemy is achieved through complex exposure to fragments, high temperatures and high pressure. Currently, the TOS-1 Buratino multiple rocket launcher 24-barrel flamethrower system is in service with the Russian army. Thanks to the experience of combat use of TOS-1 in Afghanistan and Chechnya, its high effectiveness has been proven. In addition to combat purposes, TOS-1 "Buratino" can be used to combat mountain avalanches, forest fires, and ice jams on rivers.
Project evaluation, criticism[ | ]
According to Andrei Frolov, editor-in-chief of the Arms Export magazine: “As for the TOS-1A Solntsepek, there are no analogues to this system in the world. The experience of its combat use in Syria and Iraq has confirmed the high effectiveness of such weapons.”[37]
Among the disadvantages of the complex are: large size, weak armor, vulnerability to anti-tank systems and grenade launchers[38]. The defeat of a combat vehicle poses a danger to friendly troops; because of this, the complex is forced to work under tank cover. In addition, it is clarified that the complex has a very narrow scope of application: participation in local conflicts and counter-terrorism operations, and in large-scale combat operations the complex is inferior to MLRS in range and effectiveness[39][40]
TOS-1A "Solntsepek"
The TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system was developed in 2001. The main task of the system is to support infantry and armored formations. Main differences from the basic version:
— The number of guides on the combat vehicle was reduced from 30 to 24. — The transport-loading vehicle is based on the main T-72 tank (in the basic modification it was placed on the chassis of a KrAZ truck)
Composition of TOS-1A:
— Combat vehicle BM-1 (Object 634B); — Transport-loading vehicle TZM-T (Object 563); — NURS MO.1.01.04 or MO.1.01.04M.
In service[ | ]
TOS-1A "Solntsepok" at the parade in Baku, June 26, 2013
- Russia - unknown quantity, as of 2022[6] According to other sources, at least 8 units, as of 2014[7].
- Azerbaijan - 18 TOS-1A units, as of 2021[8]
- Armenia - unknown number of TOS-1A, as of 2021[9].
- Algeria - about 18 TOS-1A units, as of 2021[10]
- Iraq - more than 3 TOS-1A units, as of 2022[11]
- Kazakhstan - 3 TOS-1A units, as of 2021[12].
- Saudi Arabia - 10 TOS-1A units, as of 2021[13]
- Syria - unknown number of TOS-1A, as of 2017[14].
Performance characteristics of TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— Year(s) of production: 1987 - present. time - Chassis: T-72 tank platform - BM crew, people: 3
Overall dimensions of TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— Length in stowed position, mm: 6860 — Width in stowed position, mm: 3460 — Height in stowed position, mm: 2600 (estimated) — Ground clearance, mm: 470
Weight TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— Weight in combat position, kg: 46,000
Armament TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— Caliber, mm: 220 — Barrel length, mm: 5000 (estimated) — Number of guides: 24 (30)
Firing range of TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— Minimum firing range, m: 400 — Maximum firing range, m: 3600 (with new missiles — up to 6000)
Damage area of TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— up to 40,000 m²
Engine TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— Engine type: V-12 diesel
Speed TOS-1 Buratino (TOS-1A Solntsepek)
— Maximum speed on the highway, km/h: 65
— Cruising range on the highway, km: 550
Notes[ | ]
- Heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A : Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
- Tikhonov, T.2, 2010, p. 173.
- ↑ 123
Missile technology: Heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A - A prototype of a new generation heavy flamethrower system is being created in Russia
- By the end of the year, the TOS-2 Tosochka heavy flamethrower system will complete state tests - Army and defense industry - TASS
- The Military Balance 2022, p.191
- How the Solntsepek flamethrower system works (Russian). Popular mechanics. Access date: April 12, 2022.
- The Military Balance 2022, p.180
- The Armenian Armed Forces conducted practical training on the use of TOS-1A flamethrower systems (Russian) (undefined)
.
Armenia Today
(December 17, 2021). Date accessed: January 4, 2022. - The Military Balance 2022, p.329
- The Military Balance 2022, p.342
- The Military Balance 2022, p.187
- The Military Balance 2022, p.363
- Russia's Lethal Thermobaric Rocket Launchers: A Game Changer in Syria? (undefined)
. Access date: July 31, 2022. - According to “Sunshine” - to every army (undefined)
.
Izvestia
(February 27, 2018). Access date: September 13, 2022. - Exercises of NBC protection troops
- The brigade is ready for new achievements (undefined)
. Red Star (01/16/2019). Retrieved January 25, 2022. Archived January 25, 2022. - Divisions of the Western Military District's NBC protection troops as part of the final inspection (Russian). Press service of the Western Military District
(November 12, 2015). Date accessed: March 27, 2022. - As part of the combined arms army of the Southern Military District in the North Caucasus, a new unit of the RKhBZ (unspecified)
.
Press service of the Southern Military District
(December 31, 2014). Date accessed: September 8, 2022. - VVO specialists began accepting new Solntsepek flamethrower systems at the manufacturing plant (unspecified)
. TASS (November 14, 2017). Access date: January 25, 2022. - Military personnel of the Eastern Military District are mastering the modified Buratino heavy flamethrower system. Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
- A. V. Strugovshchikov.
TOS-1 "Pinocchio"
(undefined)
. Belarusian State University of Informatics and Radioelectronics. Date accessed: October 5, 2015. - “Pinocchio” destroys the enemy with fire and sudden changes in pressure (undefined)
. RIA News. Date accessed: October 5, 2015. - Troshev G.N.
Chechen break: Diaries and memories. — 2nd ed. - M.: Time, 2009. - P. 356. - (Dialogue). — ISBN 978-5-9691-0471-6. - Jamie Prenatt.
TOS-1 Buratino (Pinocchio)/TOS-1A Solntsepek (Sun) // Katyusha: Russian Multiple Rocket Launchers 1941 - present. - Bloomsbury Publishing, 2016. - P. 88. - 101 p. — ISBN 9781472810885. - Latest news from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine based on information received as of September 27, 2015, OSCE (September 28, 2015). Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
- Leyva, Maria
. OSCE observers discovered the Buratino multiple launch rocket system in Ukraine, RBC (October 2, 2015). Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015. - Zverev, Anton
. Deadly Russian rocket system spotted in Ukraine for the first time, Reuters (October 2, 2015). Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 2, 2015. - The Military Balance 2016, p. 355
- Ivan Safronov.
Non-union situation // Kommersant Power magazine. — 2016-05-30. — Vol. 21. - P. 9. - (unspecified)
were used in the Middle East . Date accessed: September 6, 2016. - TOS-1A “Solntsepok” burns militants near Palmyra: video
- Azerbaijan used the TOS-1A “Solntsepek” for the first time - Ministry of Defense of the Azerbaijan Republic | 1news.az | News
- Karabakh remains alone with Baku / War and Army / Nezavisimaya Gazeta (undefined)
.
www.ng.ru.
_ Date accessed: October 6, 2022. - Storm in the Caucasus / R.N. Pukhov. - 2022. - P. 58. - ISBN 978-5-6045362-2-3.
- Roblin, Sebastien
.
Russia's TOS-1: Moscow's Most Powerful Weapon of War (That Isn't Nuclear) (English), The National Interest
. Retrieved March 31, 2022. - Arabian breakthrough: Russia is pushing out the US in the Middle East arms market (Russian), RIA Novosti
(20171009T1736+0300Z). Retrieved October 9, 2022. - Charlie Gao.
Introducing What Could Be Russia's Most Deadly Urban Warfare Weapon. The National Interest (November 27, 2018). Date accessed: January 29, 2022. - Pinocchio lights up: Karabas's worst nightmare (Russian). Popular mechanics. Access date: April 12, 2022.
- Robert Beckhusen.
Russia Is Showing off Its Lethal Missile-Launching Tanks (English). The National Interest (November 1, 2017). Date accessed: January 29, 2022.
Photo TOS-1A Solntsepek
Transport-loading vehicle of the TOS-1A complex
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Epilogue
The system, despite the armor from the T-72, is vulnerable due to its lightly armored ammunition and short firing range. Damage to the launcher by small-caliber weapons can lead to spontaneous detonation or the launch of unguided missiles, which can cause great damage to friendly troops.
There are MLRS Hurricane or Grad, which fire at a distance many times further, but in modern wars small mobile groups rapidly moving across the terrain are increasingly used. Firing at them from a distance of tens of kilometers is almost pointless.
Pinocchio acts much faster, and the result of its use is noticeable immediately. In 90 seconds the system is completely ready to fire, firing the entire ammunition load in 6 seconds if necessary.
Thermobaric NURS
Ammunition that first sprays a flammable substance into the air and then detonates the resulting cloud has high power and pronounced pressure differences.
In many media they are called a vacuum bomb, which is incorrect. The use of thermobaric projectiles makes the system especially effective in the mountains. During an explosion, the pressure rises and then drops sharply, while the blast wave is constantly reflected from the surrounding rocks. Under such conditions, pressure drop has a destructive effect on living organisms.
The ammunition is also effectively used against a hidden enemy, since the high-pressure zone formed after the explosion penetrates into areas inaccessible to fragments of conventional shells.
Forest fire unit LPA-521
The forest fire unit is designed to deliver forces and means to the place of forest fire operations, incl.
extinguishing forest ground fires with fire-extinguishing liquids, conducting preventive controlled burning and creating mineralized barrier strips. Created on the basis of the MGSh-521M1 tracked chassis, which ensures that the equipment installed on it is used for its intended purpose in regions with difficult soil and climatic conditions. The LPA-521 technological equipment includes a front mounted system with a wedge-pusher, a removable forest fire module (a container for fire extinguishing liquid, a set of manual and mechanized forest fire tools, a pumping unit (motor pump) with a hose line and a barrel, a device for refilling backpack forest fire extinguishers, personal protective equipment for firefighters, an incendiary apparatus), a rear mounted system with a forest fire combined plow PLK-2A, as well as storage areas for navigation and communication equipment. With an average weight of 18.9 tons, determined by the configuration and refueling, the forest fire unit is capable of moving (performing tasks) at a maximum speed of 46 (4.9-8.2) km/h and with one refueling (625 l) on a dry dirt road capable of covering up to 400 km. LPA-521 is equipped with a YaMZ-238BV diesel engine with a power of 310 hp. with five, incl. and rear, gears. With an average specific ground pressure of 0.32-0.35 kg. per sq. cm and ground clearance of 400 mm, the unit is capable of overcoming a ditch up to 2.5 m wide and a ford up to 1.2 m deep. The cabin is designed to accommodate 6 people with a driver, and also has two equipped sleeping places. During an hour of main working time, the LPA-521 can pave 2.4-8.2 km of mineralized strip with a width of 3.2 m and 2.0 m when using a push wedge or a plow, respectively. The unit can carry up to 4 cubic meters. m of fire extinguishing mixture for a motor pump, with a capacity of 400-450 l/min. Currently, LPA-521 has been tested and is being prepared for serial production. The PLA-521 forest fire unit is air transportable and, if necessary, can be quickly deployed for use for its intended purpose in an emergency area. MGSh-521M1 is a tracked snow and swamp-going floating tracked chassis designed for installation of various types of special equipment and technological equipment. Produced by the Rubtsovsky Machine-Building Plant with a load capacity of up to 6 tons. The basic configuration includes two sleeping places for the crew to rest and high-comfort seats are installed. For the convenience of the driver, automotive instrumentation, hydraulic and pneumatic boosters are used on the levers and pedals.
The chassis is equipped with a 2-flow heating system. The reinforced nose of the vehicle protects the crew when hitting obstacles and weakens the “bulldozer effect” when driving on loose snow and soft soils. MGSh 521M1 is equipped with a winch with a force of 6 tons and a cable 30-35 m long. Upon request, the machine can be equipped with welding equipment.
