TOS-1

Infobox Weapon
name=ТОС-1 "Буратино"
TOS-1 Buratino


caption=
origin=USSR/RUS
type=MRL
is_ranged=
is_bladed=
is_explosive=
is_artillery=yes
is_vehicle=yes
is_UK=
service=
used_by=Soviet Union, Russian Federation
wars=Soviet-Afghan War, Second Chechen War
designer=Omsk Transmash Design Bureau
design_date=
manufacturer=
production_date=
number=
variants=
weight=46 t (101,411 lbs)
length=9.5 m (31 ft)
part_length=
width=3.6 m (11.81 ft)
height=2.22 m (7.28 ft)
crew=3
cartridge=
caliber=220 mm (8.66 in)
action=
rate=30 rounds/15 s
velocity=
range=500-3500 m
(547-3828 yds)
max_range=
feed=
sights=
breech=
recoil=
carriage=
elevation=
traverse=
blade_type=
hilt_type=
sheath_type=
head_type=
haft_type=
diameter=
filling=
filling_weight=
detonation=
yield=
armour=
primary_armament=
secondary_armament=
engine=Diesel
engine_power=840 hp (626.39 kW)
pw_ratio=
suspension=
vehicle_range=
speed=

TOS-1 Buratino ( _ru. 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 enemy personnel in fortifications, in open country, and in lightly armoured vehicles and transport. First combat tests took place in Panjshir Valley during the Soviet war in Afghanistan.

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 intended to engage military personnel, equipment, and buildings, including 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.

Note

¹ Shortened from тяжёлая огнемётная система (heavy flame thrower system, actually thermobaric).

External links

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ane4jB35Hs Video of TOS-1 in action]
* [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/tos-1.htm GlobalSecurity profile]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/row/tos-1.htm FAS profile]