Military installation pinocchio. Pinocchio lights up

In the 1970s and 1980s, at the height of the "arms race" in the United States and the USSR, active development of "volumetric detonating" ammunition began: aerial bombs, artillery shells, and even infantry flamethrowers.
The flamethrowers that now exist in many armies of the world work according to the same scheme - a jet of a combustible mixture is fired under pressure and ignited. In the USSR, they went the other way - incendiary mixtures were placed in capsules and fired from grenade launchers (such hand-held flamethrowers were called "Bumblebee").
The test of the latter showed the promise of using volumetric detonating warheads on multiple launch rocket systems. It was entrusted to the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering to carry out the relevant research and development of a new MLRS, designed specifically for vacuum projectiles.
In the 1970s, a multiple launch rocket system was created that fired 220-mm rockets "with a volumetric detonating incendiary mixture." Each rocket contained 100 kg of this mixture.
When the warhead was blown up in a certain radius, the temperature reached 3000 degrees. Everything living and non-living was burned. In addition, there was the effect of the so-called "vacuum bomb" due to the burning of air. It was impossible for the enemy infantry to survive in the "hellish" flame and instantaneous pressure drops.

Since the range of fire required quick and accurate actions, and the type of ammunition obliged to shoot as accurately as possible, a number of special equipment was installed on the BM: an optical sight for aiming, a 1D14 laser rangefinder with a measurement accuracy of up to 10 meters, a machine skew sensor PB2.329.04 and a computer system , according to the readings of the range finder and sensors, automatically determines the required elevation angle of the guide block. Manual guidance is also possible, but it requires more time and better crew skills.
For delivery rockets and to facilitate loading, a transport-loading vehicle (TZM) was created with a crane and guides for loading the BM package. Initially, TZM was on the chassis of the KrAZ-255B truck.
There was a problem right away: warhead the missiles will be too dangerous for the crew, therefore, in order to avoid accidental hits and detonation of ammunition, it was decided to book the guide package. And the armor added extra weight. I had to abandon the idea of ​​​​a chassis based on a truck. The chassis was decided to be based on the T-72 tank. Instead of a turret, a package of 30 missile guides on a swivel base was installed on it, and all the necessary equipment was placed inside. The crew consisted of three people: commander, driver and operator. That's how it was created fighting machine complex (BM, or "object 634").

After some improvements, the complex went into service with the USSR Armed Forces under the name TOS-1 "Pinocchio", due to the characteristic "sharp-nosed" fairings-detonators of the warhead of the ammunition.

Rockets of 220 mm caliber made a splash - there was almost nothing left of the training targets at the training ground. This effect more than compensated for the relatively short combat range, up to 3600 meters.
In the stowed position, the TZM guide block with missiles is covered by an armored box. Tests of the new complex, which received the TOS index (heavy flamethrower system), began in 1980.
Late 80s new system was tested in Afghanistan.
It was installed on the chassis of the T-72 tank, its firing range was up to 4.5 km. The armor left from the original T-72 significantly increased the survivability of the vehicle on the battlefield. Nevertheless, the manual for the combat use of TOS-1 recommended that you go to the firing position immediately before the salvo, under the cover of tanks, quickly shoot the entire set of missiles and go into cover. For safety, the three outer barrels on each side of the bag were left empty. The installation was supposed to be used at the forefront. In the period from December 1988 to February 1989, two Pinocchio vehicles (1978 and 1980 of release) took part in the hostilities in the Charikar Valley and on the South Salang (during Operation Typhoon). It was first used to destroy caves and bunkers in which the Mujahideen were hiding. The use of Pinocchio in Afghanistan made a terrible impression on the dushmans. Those who saw the sea of ​​fire even at a distance could no longer forget it. "Pinocchio", under the cover of armored vehicles, attacked the positions of the Mujahideen using the "hit and go" tactics. In the mountains of Afghanistan, the effect vacuum ammunition amplified due to the reflection of shock waves from the mountains.
Second case combat use TOS-1 was in March 2000, in Chechnya, in the battle for the village of Komsomolskoye. Then the general public learned about the system, and unscrupulous representatives of the press began to spread unreliable rumors and legends about it.
At the exhibition "Pinocchio" was shown for the first time only in 2001.

Since the late 90s, work has been carried out at the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering to improve Pinocchio.
In 2001, a lighter and more advanced version of the flamethrower was created - TOS-1A "Solntsepyok", including on the basis of the T-90 tank.

TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" is equipped with a central control and navigation unit, L-1 and L-2 satellite navigation systems, an inertial measurement unit, a laser target designator, Doppler speed meters, a display device with a gyrocompass interface, a gyrocourse indicator and a navigator.

Since the previous TOS-1 "Buratino" had 6 empty missile barrels in combat conditions (3 on each side), the TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" had a smaller number of missile barrels installed - 24 instead of 30. It features an improved fire control system, enhanced armor protection and new ammunition. The firing range has increased to 6 km, while maintaining the same accuracy and accuracy, and the radius of destruction of each missile has increased.

Now the system included a new combat vehicle BM-1 (object 634A) with an updated set of equipment and a package of guides for 24 missiles (3 rows of 8 pieces).

The TZM was also updated, unifying it with the BM-1: a crane, loading guides and a protective cover were installed on the chassis of the T-72 tank. One calculation includes two such machines called TMZ-T (object 563).

Currently, both types of complexes are in service with the troops of radiation, chemical and biological protection of Russia - TOS-1 "Pinocchio" and TOS-1A "Solntsepek".
TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" with shells with an increased flight range was put into service Russian army April 4, 2001 Since 2008, the export of the system has been allowed. The heavy flamethrower was purchased by the armies of Kazakhstan (the contract was concluded in 2010, 3 BM-1 units were delivered from Russia in 2011) and Azerbaijan (6 BM-1 units on the T-90 chassis were delivered from Russia in 2013, 6 more units - in 2014 year; a total of 18 TOS-1A systems are planned to be delivered). In the photo - unloading of the TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" complexes in the Baku port:

Since 2014, TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" has been delivered to Iraq (at least 5 TOS-1A complexes as of August 2014).
The total number of heavy flamethrower systems in service with Russia was not officially named. According to open sources, the organizational structure is:
1st mobile brigade RKhBZ, at least 4 units of BM-1 and 1 unit of TZM-T.
28th separate brigade of the RKhBZ (Volgograd region, Kamyshin), at least 2 units of BM-1 and 1 unit of TZM-T.
70th separate flamethrower battalion (Primorsky Territory, Razdolnoye village), at least 2 units of BM-1.

Shooting Pinocchio is an impressive sight. Leaving behind a fiery tail, the rocket flies swiftly and accurately to the target. One can only guess what remains of the enemy who has settled in the fortifications.

In the complex with Pinocchio there is a TZM - a transport-loading vehicle.

Human rights activists called these machines messengers of hell and attributed to them mass destruction civilians. Moreover, the absence of witnesses to such crimes did not bother anyone - it is said that all living things are within a radius of three kilometers, which means that it is so. From the witnesses - only a pile of ashes. But why doesn’t anyone produce such effective weapons except us, and why are there only a handful of Pinocchio in our army? Popular Mechanics decided to bring some clarity.

Weapons of chemists

In the 1980s, the successes of Soviet gunsmiths in the development of thermobaric and volumetric detonating ammunition made a strong impression on Russian military leaders. Still - undermining ammunition of sufficient mass outwardly produced the effect of a small tactical nuclear charge. Almost all types of troops wanted to adopt such an effective weapon. For the infantry, development began jet flamethrowers"Bumblebee". The Main Artillery Directorate issued an order for the design of thermobaric warheads for multiple launch rocket systems. The Air Force began to create a volumetric detonating bomb ODAB-500. Well, the troops of radiation, chemical and biological protection (RHBZ) decided to acquire their own heavy flamethrower system TOS. Why chemists need such a system, we don’t know for sure, but there is information about the development of various warheads, including those with binary poisonous substances.

The RKhBZ Administration entrusted the creation of a new weapon to a tandem - the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering, famous for its T-80U tanks, and the Motovilikha Plants, from the gates of which the Grad, Uragan and Smerch multiple launch rocket systems came out. The factories justified the trust, and such an installation was created. The first option was simply called TOS, and the second, TOS-1, received the playful name "Pinocchio".

How is Pinocchio arranged?

The first installation option is TOS, with a 24-pipe package.
Outwardly, the TOS-1 looks like the T-72 main battle tank, the turret of which is replaced by a package of guides that can accommodate an increased ammunition load - 30 missiles (TOS had a 24-pipe package). Each 220 mm caliber missile is equipped with an ODBC (volumetric detonating warhead). Unlike missiles of multiple launch rocket systems, most of the length of the TOS rocket is occupied by the warhead, and not by the engine - there is no need to shoot for ten kilometers. Depending on the modification of the rocket, the firing range is from 2700 to 3500 meters. The launcher is located on a turntable. The crew aims the installation at the target, using a laser range finder and a ballistic computer, providing acceptable shooting accuracy. The fire can be carried out by single shots, a “double” of two barrels and a series with an interval between shots of a quarter of a second, while all 30 missiles are fired in just 7.5 seconds. The destructive power of Pinocchio missiles is amazing - brick buildings are hidden in a cloud of smoke and flame, resembling a small nuclear mushroom, and when the smoke clears, only smoking ruins appear. One can only guess what remains of the enemy who has settled in the fortifications. Unlike TOS, the TOS-1 Pinocchio mount has an increased ammunition load - 30 missiles instead of 24.

Fighter of the invisible front

For a long time, Pinocchio was a top-secret weapon, although the installation took part in the Afghan war. However, after in March 2000 television broadcast the work of TOS-1 in the village of Komsomolskoye around the world, the stamp "secret" was removed from the installation. Such a bright appearance immediately gave rise to a lot of legends, including the most ridiculous ones. Say, TOS was developed to “burn out” areas of the area contaminated during the biological war.

In fact, TOS-1 entered service with the engineering troops as a means of destroying a hidden enemy, which was traditionally the task of sappers. Covered with bulletproof armor, "Pinocchio" can approach the firing point at a direct shot range and completely destroy it with several missiles. The tank chassis allows the 46-ton vehicle to have mobility comparable to tanks and infantry fighting vehicles.

However, a heavy flamethrower system is not a miracle weapon at all, just like any other piece of military equipment. Large dimensions and relatively weak armor make the vehicle vulnerable to grenade launchers, anti-tank missile systems, rapid-fire guns. The defeat of the launch package can lead, if not to the undermining of combat units, then to the spontaneous launch of missiles. Randomly flying rockets are capable of doing a lot of trouble for their own troops. That is why in Chechnya the installations worked strictly under the cover of tanks (1-2 in front and one at a time from the sides) and after a volley "Pinocchio" immediately crawled into cover. But the work of flamethrowers has never been easy. The actions of TOS-1 in a combat situation are just reminiscent of the tactics of fighters stealthily approaching the bunker with a knapsack flamethrower.

piece thing

We do not know the exact number of Pinocchio in the army, but their number is measured in units. Why is such an effective weapon not mass-produced and not in demand on the foreign market? The fact is that Pinocchio's destiny is participation in local conflicts and counter-terrorist operations. But just for such operations, not flamethrowers are required, but high-precision "surgical instruments" that minimize losses among the civilian population. In full-scale hostilities, Pinocchio completely loses, for example, the Smerch MLRS, which is capable of sending 12 missiles with a 100-kilogram thermobaric warhead over a distance of 90 kilometers in just 38 seconds.

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

The greatest effect from its unguided rockets in thermobaric equipment is achieved in mountainous conditions: due to the mutual superposition of air shock waves and their multiple reflections from surrounding rocks, soil destruction and stone blockages. The ammunition creates a cloud of explosive mixture and then undermines it, forcing all the oxygen in the cloud to enter into this reaction. After an instantaneous detonation, the pressure rises sharply, and then drops below atmospheric by about 160 mmHg. Thus, even if the enemy managed to survive after the explosion, the pressure drop leads to his guaranteed death from rupture of internal organs. The high accuracy of salvo firing of the flamethrower system is ensured by direct aiming launcher and automated targeting, which can be at a distance of up to 6 km.

Tell me, what's his name?

The TOS-1A Solntsepek is a modification of the TOS-1 Pinocchio, a heavy multiple rocket launcher based on the T-72 tank. TOS-1 was developed between 1971 and 1979. First prototypes on the T-72 chassis were manufactured at JSC " Design department transport engineering" in Omsk. The complex included a combat vehicle (BM) - a launcher with a package of 30 guides on the chassis of the T-72 tank and a transport-loading vehicle (TZM) on the KrAZ-255B chassis. In 1980, the machine successfully passed state tests and was recommended for adoption by the Soviet Army.

The Pinocchio system was intended to disable lightly armored and automotive vehicles, set fire to and destroy structures and buildings, destroy enemy manpower with fragments and a shock wave created by the massive use of unguided rockets in thermobaric and smoke-incendiary equipment.

A significant mass of a package of guide tubes with shells required a chassis with a high carrying capacity, and a small firing range (from 400 to 4500 meters) required a certain level of protection for the entire combat vehicle, which made it heavier up to 46 tons. A package of 30 guides for unguided rockets (NURS) was mounted on a turntable launcher. The crew performed all actions to aim the installation at the target without leaving the car - with the help of a sight and electric drives. The trajectory of the projectiles to the target required accurate consideration of the firing conditions and the creation of a special fire control system, which consisted of an optical sight, a laser rangefinder, a roll sensor and an electronic ballistic computer.

From Pinocchio to Solntsepek

In 2001, the Pinocchio system was modernized and received the name TOS-1A "Solntsepek". Distinctive features new items were: the number of shells reduced to 24, the firing range increased to 6 kilometers, the KrAZ chassis was replaced with an upgraded tracked base of the T-72A tank.

The composition of the system TOS-1A "Sun" includes:

- combat vehicle BM-1 ("Object 634B") with a launcher on the T-72A chassis; - transport-loading vehicle TZM-T ("Object 563") on the T-72A chassis; - NURS MO.1.01.04 or MO.1.01.04M caliber 220 mm.

Fire battery!

The BM-1 is a multiple launch rocket system. It is equipped with a V-84MS diesel power plant with an HP 840 power. at 2000 rpm on the T-72A chassis, a turntable with a swinging part, which includes a package of 24 tubular guides for rockets, electric drives and a fire control system. The guide package is mounted in an armored oscillating part, which protects the ammunition load from the B-32 armor-piercing bullet with a caliber of 7.62 mm from a distance of at least 620 meters. Guidance of the swinging part of the launcher on the target in the horizontal and vertical planes is carried out by electro-hydraulic drives using a laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer.

Vitaly V. Kuzmin

Depending on the situation, fire on targets can be carried out with single and double shots from two barrels. NURS launch control is automatic, the duration of a full salvo with paired launches is 6 seconds, with single launches it is 12 seconds, and the time for readiness to open fire on a visible target from the moment the combat vehicle stops is 90 seconds. The crew of the vehicle consists of three people: a driver-mechanic, a gunner and a commander.

Shooting is carried out with unguided rockets of 220 mm caliber. Projectiles are designed to deliver a thermobaric mixture, actuate it and create excess pressure and thermal field on the target area. The MO.1.01.04 projectile has a length of 3300 mm and a weight of 173 kg, while the MO.1.01.04M projectile is slightly longer and heavier - 3700 mm and 217 kg, respectively. NURS consist of a head part of a thermobaric or incendiary action, a fuse and a solid propellant jet engine.

The fire control system includes an optical sight, a 1D14 laser periscope rangefinder, a PB2.329.04 roll-trim sensor (electric, pendulum type) and a specialized electronic digital computer system MO.1.01.01.03M2. With the help of a laser rangefinder, the distance to the target is determined with an accuracy of up to 10 meters. These data are automatically entered into the ballistic computer, which calculates the required elevation angle of the launcher. The angle of roll and trim is fixed automatically and taken into account by the calculator.

Auxiliary weapons of the BM-1: RPKS-74 machine gun (1440 rounds of ammunition), AKS-74 assault rifle (300 rounds of ammunition), three RPG-26 anti-tank grenades and ten F-1 hand grenades.

The power drive for pointing the launcher in the horizontal plane is electromechanical, in the vertical plane - electro-hydraulic. To ensure the accuracy of shooting, the BM-1 is equipped with outriggers and hydro-friction stoppers with remote electro-hydraulic control. Commander's device TKN-ZA - combined (day and night) electro-optical, binocular, periscopic. The remaining observation devices are both prismatic and telescopic, and the orientation device is a gyroscopic heading indicator gyro-semi-compass GPK-59.

BM-1 is equipped with built-in bulldozer equipment for self-digging, four 902 G smoke grenade launchers with a firing range of up to 100 meters and thermal smoke equipment that creates an impenetrable curtain up to 400 meters long. Weapon protection system mass destruction provides protection for the crew from toxic substances by pressurizing the cabin. The filter-ventilation unit with the GO-27 radiation and chemical reconnaissance device cleans the air entering the crew compartment from dust and radioactive substances. The average range of communication with the same type of radio stations is about 20 km. Fire protection system - automatic, triple action.

Get up for charging

The transport-loading vehicle TZM-T is designed for transporting the NURS, loading and unloading the launcher.
Vitaly V. Kuzmin TZM-T is a set of loading and unloading devices placed on a caterpillar base. The crew of the vehicle also consists of three people: a driver-mechanic, an operator and a commander. They are armed with an RPKS-74 machine gun (1440 rounds of ammunition), two AKS-74 assault rifles (600 rounds of ammunition), five RPG-26 anti-tank grenades and ten hand grenades F-1. The lifting capacity of the hydraulic dual-mode crane installation is 1000 kg. The charging time of the installation by a remotely controlled electro-hydraulic crane is 24 minutes. Ammunition protection - armored, removable. The power plant, power supply systems, fire extinguishing and protection against weapons of mass destruction of the TZM-T transport-loading vehicle are similar to the BM-1.

Sunstroke

Today, TOS-1A are in service with the 1st mobile brigade of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Troops (at least four BM-1 units and one TZM-T unit), the 28th separate brigade of the RKhBZ in the city of Kamyshin, Volgograd Region (at least two BM-1 units and one TZM-T unit), as well as the 70th separate flamethrower battalion in the village of Razdolnoye, Primorsky Krai (at least two BM-1 units).

In the period from December 1988 to February 1989, two TOS-1 Buratino complexes took part in hostilities in the Charikar Valley and South Salang (Afghanistan) during Operation Typhoon. The tactics of use consisted in a sudden fire engagement of the enemy, the rapid withdrawal of combat vehicles from a possible retaliatory fire and withdrawal to points of permanent deployment Soviet troops. The effect of the use of thermobaric ammunition in the mountains exceeded all expectations. During the battle for the village of Komsomolskoye (Chechen Republic) in 2000, TOS-1 fired at militant positions.

TOS-1A "Solnepek" is exported to Azerbaijan (6 BM-1 units on the T-90 chassis were delivered in 2013 and 6 more units will be delivered in 2014), Kazakhstan (3 BM-1 units were delivered in 2011) and Iraq (several units to be delivered before the end of 2014).

Tactical and technical characteristics

TOS-1A "Sun"

Caliber, mm: 220 Number of guide tubes, pcs: 24 Range, m: — minimum: 400 — maximum: 6000 maximum range, sq.m.: 40000

Fighting vehicle BM-1

Mass of the BM-1 in combat gear, t: 44.3 Main dimensions, mm: - length along the rear outriggers: 7240 - width along the removable shields: 3580 - height along the details on the roof of the swinging part: 3073 - Clearance along the main bottom: 470 Speed movement on the highway, km/h: 60 Cruising range, km: 550 Obstacles to be overcome: - maximum angle of elevation, degrees: 30 - maximum angle of roll, degrees: 25 - ditch width, m: 2.6 - wall height, m : 0.85 - fording depth, m: 1.2

Transport-loading vehicle TZM-T

Weight of TZM-T with a set of NURS, t: 39 Main dimensions, mm: - length: 7000 - width on removable shields: 3580 - height: 3050 - Ground clearance on the main bottom: 477 Amount of ammunition carried for BM-1, pcs: 24 fuel reserve for BM-1, l.: 400

Fire Throwers The modernization of this mobile caterpillar flamethrower was carried out by specialists from the Omsk Transport Engineering Plant (part of the UVZ group). According to the press service of the enterprise, the changes in Solntsepek affected both appearance, and the internal equipment of the machine. In particular, a modern power plant and an updated dynamic protection complex were installed on the TOS-1A, a flamethrower also received a new launcher, and the transport and loading vehicle of the complex received a modern-design crane-manipulator.
TOS-1A is the most mobile, secure and most powerful flamethrower system in the world. The chassis of the T-72 tank became the basis for it. A multi-barreled flamethrower capable of hitting lightly armored targets, vehicles, destroy buildings. The system is effective both in open areas and when destroying an enemy hiding in fortifications. "Solntsepek" is used in combat formations of supported troops, is used from open police. At the same time, modern sighting equipment makes it possible to use it just as successfully at a distance from the line of contact with the enemy. According to implemented technical solutions, in terms of the range of tasks to be solved and combat effectiveness, this weapon has no analogues in the world and is a unique development of Russian gunsmiths. In terms of its “role” functionality, TOS-1A is a multiple launch rocket system. The complex includes a BM-1 combat vehicle and two TZM-T transport-loading vehicles, also made on a tank chassis. A full volley of "Solntsepeka", the duration of which does not exceed six seconds, from all 24 guides, is capable of covering an area of ​​​​up to 70 square kilometers. It is worth saying that the mobile flamethrower of the previous design TOS-1 "Pinocchio" became the basis for the creation of TOS-1A. According to the press service of Omtransmash, the current version of the flamethrower system is equipped with an improved launcher and automated system guidance, and more powerful 220-mm caliber rockets are now used as ammunition. The Solntsepek fire can be fired with double and single shots, hitting enemy targets at ranges from 4 to 6 kilometers. Last year, Omsktransmash carried out the first experimental overhaul of the TOS-1A system transport-loading vehicle and, based on the results of the work performed, received permission from the Russian Ministry of Defense to upgrade such machines now on a planned basis. This October, for a month ahead of time the end of the contract, the plant shipped to the customer a transport-loading vehicle with improved characteristics that meet modern requirements. “During this time, the specialists of the enterprise have fully mastered all the necessary operations, honing their skills from machine to machine,” notes CEO factory Igor Lobov. “We are the only company capable of carrying out such work quickly and efficiently.”
It's impossible to survive The Afghan Mujahideen became closely acquainted with the capabilities of Pinocchio, developed in our country back in the 1970s, during an operation against them in the area of ​​the Charikar Valley and South Salang. The action of thermobaric ammunition (the basis of TOS combat equipment) had a much greater effect in the mountains due to the mutual superposition of air shock waves and their multiple reflections from the surrounding rocks. When the ammunition explodes, it creates a cloud of the mixture and then ignites it, causing the oxygen to react. The pressure rises sharply, and then drops below atmospheric: thus, even if the enemy managed to survive after the explosion, hiding from the shock wave and high-temperature impulse, the pressure drop leads to his death. The use of TOC was also extremely successful during the second Chechen campaign - in in particular, in the battles for the village of Komsomolskoye. It is known that after only a few volleys of the Pinocchio installation, the resistance of the militants who had settled in this area was broken. There is evidence that TOSs, which are in service with Syria and Iraq, are also used during the current operation against ISIS militants (an organization banned in Russia), where they also show their best fighting qualities.
Efficiency of these flamethrower systems is given not only by the monstrous "killing power" of ammunition, but also by the high accuracy of fire, even if it is performed by a salvo method. At the same time, the guidance of the launcher is carried out in an automated mode, and the fire control system takes care of measuring the range, calculating the elevation angles, and takes into account the air temperature itself, Atmosphere pressure, wind speed and direction. Fire from the "Solntsepeka" can be fired without leaving the car: in battle, this circumstance can save the life of the crew, especially considering that the car is adapted to work on the front line, because the minimum firing range of the TOS-1A is only 400 meters. It also turned out to be a good idea to place the firing system and support systems on tank platforms - on a tracked chassis. Thanks to this, the complex is not only protected by reliable armor, but can also march at speeds up to 60 kilometers per hour, overcome fords over 1.2 meters deep, dig in and place smoke screens on their own. The best among the best According to experts, With approximately comparable firepower, other rocket systems - the same MLRS "Grad", "Hurricane", "Smerch", American MLRS, German LAPS and French RAFAL - are not capable of firing at targets located at a distance of less than half a kilometer. For the listed MLRS, the effective range of use is several thousand meters, and in direct combat, these systems are useless. According to Andrey Frolov, editor-in-chief of the Arms Export magazine, the TOS-1A Solntsepek has no analogues in the world.
At the current meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense and the military-industrial complex, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasized that “our army and navy must have the most modern weapons, military and special equipment, which take into account, among other things, possible changes in the strategy and tactics of armed struggle in the future and are on par with, and best of all, surpass their foreign counterparts in terms of their characteristics. “If we want to be ahead, if we want to win, we must be better,” the Supreme Commander emphasized, adding that the implementation of the new State Armaments Program, the formation of which is just now being completed, will largely “determine the combat capability of the types and arms of the troops for the coming decade and long term." Subdivisions of the "Solntsepekov" This year, ten more units of these weapons are to be delivered to the troops under the State Defense Order. It is already known, for example, that New technology will significantly increase combat capabilities combined-arms formations, the Russian Ministry of Defense notes, especially since it is planned to equip these units with fully servicemen under the contract.
Crews and combat crews of the Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems are also being trained in the Southern Military District. TOS-1A is in service with the flamethrower battalion of the RCB protection brigade of the Southern Military District. It is interesting that the training of servicemen of flamethrower units is carried out here on modern interactive simulators.

"Before committing combat firing projectiles with a thermobaric warhead, flamethrowers undergo a training course in classrooms - on the new BM TOS-1A computer simulator, which allows you to perform fire missions without using the engine life of standard military equipment and ammunition consumption," the press service of the Southern Military District reported.

The simulator kit includes a training program with slide and voice accompaniment, which helps to master the features of the operation of the flamethrower system, as well as to study its design and performance characteristics. Automatic fixing of errors is provided, as well as imitation of special “shooting” modes and working out actions according to non-standard algorithms.

“The TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system has established itself as a powerful means of destruction in carrying out fire missions,” said Lieutenant General Igor Makushev, Chairman of the Military Scientific Committee of the Armed Forces, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the RF Armed Forces, speaking at the round table “Experience in performing tasks by groupings troops (forces) in the Syrian Arab Republic”, which was held as part of the Army-2017 International Military-Technical Forum.

As General Makushev noted, the nature of the hit targets is the areas where illegal armed groups are located, command posts, positions of fire weapons - shows the effectiveness of the use of this weapon. The head of the Military Scientific Committee also prioritized the high efficiency of the Solntsepekov's thermobaric munitions during their massive use, including during an attack on the militants' prepared defenses.

During the battles for the village of Komsomolskoye (Chechen Republic), self-propelled heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1 "Pinocchio". Soon after these reports, some details began to appear regarding the technical and combat characteristics of the complex. In addition, the greater effectiveness of the unguided missile strike caused a specific reaction from some human rights activists. These persons considered TOS-1 an inhumane weapon and even began to demand that the world community condemn the actions of the Russian military. However, all foreign reaction was limited to only restrained criticism and restrained praise. More than ten years have passed since then, and the TOS-1 complex, along with its modernization of the TOS-1A Solntsepek, continues to be in service. Russian troops RHBZ. At the same time, the total number of built heavy flamethrower systems, according to various estimates, does not exceed two to three dozen. Why did the armament, which received a lot of laudatory reviews and caused a critical reaction, entered the army in such limited quantities? Let's try to figure it out.

Let's start in order. The basis of the combat vehicle of the TOS-1 and TOS-1A complexes is tracked chassis main battle tank T-72. Diesel engine B-46 with a power of 700 hp. provides the 46-ton vehicle with mobility and maneuverability at the level of other armored vehicles, which allows it to operate as part of mobile strike groups. So, in the course of the already mentioned use of TOS-1 missiles against targets in the territory of the village of Komsomolskoye, flamethrower systems were covered by T-72 tanks. Due to the same base and a slight difference in combat weight, Pinocchio and the tanks did not have any problems in interacting on the way to the combat position and leaving it. Modification TOS-1A "Solntsepek" received a new power plant - diesel V-84MS with a capacity of more than 800 horsepower. This innovation to a certain extent improved the driving performance of the combat vehicle.

As you can see, the driving characteristics of the Pinocchio and Solntsepeka armored combat vehicles equipped with launchers could hardly be the reason for the small number of ordered vehicles. Maybe the claims of the military are caused by other machines of the complex? Probably. The original TOS-1 complex included a transport-loading vehicle (TZM) based on the KrAZ-255B truck. The wheeled chassis was equipped with a cargo crane and devices for transporting rockets. It is quite obvious that the wheeled undercarriage of the TZM flamethrower system did not have the same speed and maneuverability as the combat vehicle had. For this reason, the upgraded TOS-1A received a new transport-loading vehicle made on the chassis of the T-72 tank. The target equipment of the new TZM was modified accordingly. In addition, special armored casings were added to the design, which in the stowed position cover the missiles from bullets and shrapnel. Each combat vehicle of the Pinocchio and Solntsepek complexes is supplied with two TZMs with a set of unguided rockets. If necessary, a connection of flamethrowers can be given a certain number of trucks to transport a stock of missiles, however, in this case, for safety reasons, it is required to bring missiles to the combat vehicle exclusively on TZM with a closed casing.

Fighting vehicle BM-1 at the firing position

So, all machines of the complex are maximally unified and protected from enemy attacks. When creating a new version of the heavy flamethrower system, a number of military wishes were taken into account, which, for example, led to a number of innovations related to the level of protection of ammunition and, as a result, vehicles. The main armament of both complexes is unguided rockets MO.101.04 and MO.1.01.04M of 220 mm caliber. Both types of missiles are equipped with a volumetric detonating or incendiary warhead. The MO.101.04 projectile appeared first. With a length of 3.3 meters, it weighs over 170 kg and has a maximum range of 3600 meters. New rocket MO.101.04M is longer (3.7 meters), heavier (217 kg) and flies further, six kilometers. Missiles are launched from a package of tubular guides. Outwardly, it is a box, inside of which there are "nests" for rockets. The combat vehicle of the TOS-1 complex has 30 guides, the TOS-1A has 24. The guide package can be guided in horizontal and vertical planes: the rotary mechanism is installed on the seat of the standard T-72 tank turret. Vertical guidance is carried out by lifting the entire package.

One of the main differences between the original and the upgraded version of the flamethrower system is the different number of missile guides. The reason for this was the features of the combat use of the complex. Since the maximum launch range of missiles of the MO.101.04 type was relatively small, the troops immediately began to take measures regarding the safety of the vehicle and crew. A volumetric detonating or incendiary warhead, if damaged on the launcher, can destroy the entire vehicle. In order to avoid such incidents, even during the first applications of TOS-1 in Afghanistan (late eighties), the crews left the extreme side rails empty. Thanks to this, the relatively rare fragments and bullets of the enemy had almost no chance of damaging the missiles. Taking into account this experience, the engineers of the Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering redesigned the design of the launcher. Firstly, the "loss" of six missiles in practice did not have a significant effect on the effectiveness of firing. Therefore, only 24 guides were left. Secondly, the saved volume and weight were given to ensure the protection of rockets. Now the outer lining of the launcher is made of armor plates and can withstand the hit of the B-32 armor-piercing bullet (cartridge 7.62x54 mm) from a distance of 500 meters. Thus, the combat vehicle of the TOS-1A complex is practically not at risk of destruction as a result of damage to the missile warhead. small arms or fragments, especially when firing MO.101.04M at maximum range. As for the protection of the chassis and crew, the anti-projectile protection of the armored hull of the T-72 tank cannot withstand the hit of only powerful cumulative and high-speed sub-caliber feathered projectiles.

Transport-loading vehicle TZM-T

The version about the insufficient protection of combat and transport-loading vehicles can also be crossed out. Maybe the potential buyer is not satisfied with the combat qualities of unguided missiles? You can immediately say: both satisfied and not. A volley of the first version of the ammunition - MO.101.04 - ensured the destruction of targets in an area of ​​​​up to two thousand square meters at ranges of up to 3.6 kilometers. A full volley when firing at a maximum rate takes from six to twelve seconds. In terms of its effectiveness, a volley of one combat vehicle is equal to a relatively long work artillery battery. At the same time, "Pinocchio" and "Solntsepek" have an insufficiently large range of compatible ammunition: only incendiary and thermobaric. In a number of cases, the action of such combat units turns out to be insufficient, for example, if it is necessary to destroy a building. This requires a direct hit of the projectile inside the target, followed by an explosion. Such features of the warheads of MO.101.04 and MO.101.04M missiles greatly limit the range of their application, although they increase the area of ​​destruction. The second problem with unguided rockets was their relatively short range. 3600 meters of the first version of the MO.101.04 rocket projectile was considered too short a range, especially in comparison with other multiple launch rocket systems. In a collision with a heavily armed enemy, the use of TOS-1 or TOS-1A is a rather difficult task. With the proper organization of interaction between units, the enemy, even if he allows the combat vehicle to enter the position, will not allow the launch. In this regard, heavy flamethrower systems again lose to the "classic" MLRS. Thus, the 9K58 Smerch complex, using a 300-mm 9M55S missile with a thermobaric warhead, is capable of hitting targets at distances from 25 to 70 kilometers without exposing itself to the danger of falling under return fire. At the same time, the warhead of the 9M55S missile weighs a quarter more than the entire MO.101.04M missile of the Solntsepek complex.

So, we have found the stumbling block that prevents the mass production of heavy flamethrower systems and equipping troops with them. This is a specific ammunition that does not give the opportunity wide application. Yes, in terms of its combat effectiveness, it exceeds a number of other similar systems. But the price of this is short range firing, the risk of catastrophic consequences if ammunition is damaged, and the need for serious cover in position. All these factors seriously reduce the possible conditions for the use of heavy flamethrower systems. And the small range of available warheads for missiles does not contribute to frequent use. The combination of the pros and cons of the TOS-1 and TOS-1A systems makes it possible to roughly imagine an “ideal” situation in which the use of heavy flamethrower systems would be justified and effective. This is the shelling of areal targets from a relatively short distance. In addition, the attacked enemy must have relatively poor training and not have serious anti-tank weapons or artillery. Thus, the ideal task for "Pinocchio" or "Solntsepeka" is to strike at a camp or a convoy of vehicles of a weak army or armed gangs. When using the new long-range MO.101.04M projectiles, the general features of the hypothetical salvo remain the same.

In general, in the case of the Buratino and Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems, we observe a specific situation. An interesting and, undoubtedly, promising project in practice turns out to be rather poorly adapted to real combat operations and requires the involvement of additional forces. Another reason why the TOS-1 and TOS-1A were not ordered in large numbers relates to the specific tactical niche of the complexes. Of course, if necessary, it would be possible to increase the firing range of flamethrower systems. But in this case, they will "overlap" with the existing MLRS. Meanwhile, the purchase of new jet systems salvo fire continues, which cannot be said about heavy flamethrower systems. Thus, the only suitable tactical niche for heavy flamethrower systems remains small special operations, where rapid deployment and instant destruction of manpower and poorly protected equipment over a relatively large area are required. At the same time, the very idea of ​​a special multiple launch rocket system for the RKhBZ troops is interesting and, perhaps, promising. For example, MO.101.04 missiles can be equipped not only with volumetric detonating or incendiary warheads. On the basis of this ammunition, a special projectile can be created that carries a fire extinguishing mixture. With this use of heavy flamethrower systems (it sounds ironic - fire extinguishing with the help of a flamethrower system), there is no need to provide fire cover for the combat vehicle, and all the advantages are fully preserved. Similarly, TOS-1 and TOS-1A are capable of eliminating small clouds of poisonous substances or similar aerosols. However, the authors of the projects of heavy flamethrower systems have not yet presented alternative projects for their use and, it seems, do not even have such plans.

According to the websites:
http://rbase.new-factoria.ru/
http://arms-expo.ru/

http://globalsecurity.org/
http://gurkhan.blogspot.com/