TOS-1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ТОС-1 "Буратино" TOS-1 Buratino |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Type | MRL |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Soviet Union, Russian Federation |
| Wars | Soviet-Afghan War, Second Chechen War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Omsk Transmash Design Bureau |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 46 t |
| Length | 9,500 mm |
| Width | 3,600 mm |
| Height | 2,226 mm |
| Crew | 3 |
|
|
|
| Caliber | 220 mm |
| Rate of fire | 30 rounds/15 s |
| Effective range | 500-3500 m |
|
|
|
| Engine | Diesel 840 hp |
TOS-1 Buratino (Russian: ТОС¹-1 "Буратино") is a Russian 30-barrel multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed for defeating the enemy manpower on the open country and in defences, as well as for lightly armoured vehicles and transport. First combat tests took place in Panjshir Valley during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.
[edit] Development
The idea of a heavy short-range MLRS to launch rockets equipped with incendiary and thermobaric warheads arose in late 1970s. The combat system consisting of the combat vehicle, rockets, and loading vehicle was developed in early 1980s at KBTM in Omsk and was named TOS-1. It was a secret development for a long time.
The TOS-1 is intened to engage military personnel, equipment, and buildings, incuding fortified constructions. The combat vehicle acts within the combat order of infantry and tanks. The large mass of the launcher and the need for a high-level of protection (due to the relatively short range of 400..600m to 5000m) helped determine the use of the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank. The reloading vehicle was built on the chassis of a cross-country truck and equipped with a crane for loading/unloading of the launcher.
The nickname Buratino matches the name of the hero of a Russian version of a Pinocchio-style tale (by Alexey Tolstoy), because of the big "nose" of the launcher.
[edit] Note
1 Shortened from тяжёлая огнемётная система (heavy flame thrower system, actually thermobaric).
