TOS-1A Solntsepek (Sun) 220mm MRL
The TOS-1A Solntsepyok Heavy Flamethrower System was created on the basis of the TOS-1 Buratino and entered service with the ground forces of the Russian Federation in 2000. Armored vehicles of a specific kind are used for firing unguided thermobaric rockets. Russia makes them in a small series. According to various estimates, several dozen of Solntsepyoks received flamethrower units of NBC Protection Troops. Many in the popular press refer to these weapons as ‘vacuum bombs’, though Russian military officials designate the weapon system as a heavy flamethrower.
The experience of using heavy flamethrower systems during the war in Afghanistan allowed domestic scientists to take a step further by creating the TOS-1A "Solntsepek". The base for the new machine, developed by the Omsktransmash enterprise with the assistance of the Zelenograd Research Institute of Physical Problems (NIIFP), was the same T-72 tank, but the firing range increased from 400 m to 6 km.
The TOS-1A Solntsepek and TOS-2 Tosochka heavy flamethrower systems were shown to the general public for the first time on 25 June 2020 in the parade on Red Square in Moscow on the 75th Anniversary of Victory Day. Compared with TOS-1 "Pinocchio", the number of guides on a combat vehicle is reduced from 30 to 24. It is known that Solntsepek is capable of hitting enemy targets at ranges from 3.6 to 6 thousand meters (depending on the type of missiles), and the area of destruction is from 1 to 2 thousand square meters. m. At the heart of the principle of operation of TOC is a volumetric explosion, similar to a blow from a vacuum bomb. TOS-1A was successfully used in Syria against terrorists.
The TOS system consists of the TOS-1 version (with 30 tubes of 220 mm) and the TOS-1A version (with 24 tubes of 220 mm). Both versions are mounted on the T-72 tanks and use non-guided 3.7-meter-long rocket-propelled grenade launchers (the first TOS-1As began to be delivered to the Russian Army in late 2017).
The TOS-1As, which are called "flamethrowers" in the Russian Army, as well as the TOS-1s, have been radically upgraded, both in terms of armaments and electronic systems, compared to the TOS-1s. In terms of armament, the TOS-1A now incorporates a new launcher, while the refueling vehicles have a new crane for lifting cargo. The TOS-1A is serving in the Russian Army in terms of fire support.
Its use is not based on the use of guided missiles, but on the destructive power of thermobaric rockets. It is essentially a system of providing bombardment fire, not targeted fire, but mass fire on the front that covers an area of 40,000 square meters and up to 6 km, in front of friendly forces (Battalion level), whether it defends or attacks.
According to the manufacturer, the TOS-1A achieves 100% success in an area of 40,000 square meters, subject to the launch of a total of 24 rockets. It should be noted that in addition to Russia, TOS-1 / -1A is also in service in Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iraq and Kazakhstan.
The An-124-100 “Ruslan” of “Volga-Dnepr” airline arrived at the airport in Baghdad on 28 July 2014 with the party of heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A “Solntsepek” on board, “Vedomosti” wrote referring to the photos posted on Facebook. As the sources in the defense industry confirmed to “Vedomosti”, during a visit to Moscow last week the Iraqi delegation headed by the Minister of Defense Saadoun al-Duleymi signed contracts worth more than $ 1 billion for the delivery of a large consignment of arms to Iraq, including four combat machines TOS-1A “Solntsepek”, artillery, mortar weapons and ammunition.
Saudi Arabia has taken delivery of its first TOS-1 multiple-launch rocket system (MLRS) from Russia. A pair of images emerged on social media on April 9, 2019, appearing to show the TOS-1A MLRS in Saudi Arabia, after a delivery to the kingdom. A source in the Russian defense industry, speaking to Sputnik International, confirmed the delivery, saying, “The exports of TOS-1A Solntsepek to Saudi Arabia have been started. The first batch of the system has already been delivered to the kingdom.” Further details, such as the number of systems on order or the number delivered in the first batch, were not provided. The financial value of the contract was not disclosed.
In October 2017, Saudi Arabia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Russia on acquiring a range of Russian military equipment, including the TOS-1A. Other systems that Riyadh may acquire are the Kornet-EM anti-tank missile and AGS-30 grenade launcher. Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) additionally inked documents with Rosoboronexport on the potential local manufacture of the hardware. SAMI said at that time, “With the guidance of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, the two parties signed these agreements, which are expected to play a pivotal role in the growth and development of the military and military systems industry in Saudi Arabia.”
Flamethrower units of the Nuclear biological and chemical protection regiment of the Southern Military District performed fire tasks at the Prudboy range in the Volgograd region in February 2020. The military personnel worked out deployment in battle order and occupation of firing positions, their engineering equipment and camouflage, preparation for opening fire, reconnaissance of targets and fire control from rocket flamethrowers "Shmel" and heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1A "Solntsepek".
The military personnel got familiar with the modern rocket flamethrowers with increased range "Shmel-M" on the training complex "Yanychar" before performing practical shooting sessions. The training complex "Yanychar" allows simulating any weather conditions, time of year and day, as well as the speed of moving targets.
Combat firing took place within the framework of bilateral company tactical exercises, which involve more than 500 military personnel of the Southern Military District, more than 200 units of combat and special equipment, including heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1A "Solntsepek", T-90A tanks, infantry fighting vehicles BMP-3, artillery multiple rocket launcher "Tornado-G".
The TOS-1A “Solntsepek” is an effective mean of thermobaric and volume-detonating ammunition. When fired, the rockets disperse a cloud of flammable liquid into the air around the target, and then ignite it. High accuracy calculation of firing angle for unguided rockets allocates targets of the impact point on the area in a way that makes it possible to cover a target densely at 6 seconds of full salvo duration. It allows suppressing enemy active actions for a long time period at considerable areas and 100% destruction of unconcealed enemy personnel at the area of 40000 square meters.
The TZM-T (GBTU index - Object 563) is a Russian heavy transport and loader vehicle from the TOS-1A Solntsepik heavy flamethrower system. It is based on the T-72A main battle tank. The main task of the TZM-T is to discharge and reload the BM-1 combat vehicle, which is part of the TOS-1A Solntsepik multiple rocket launcher system. The vehicle is capable of transporting up to 24 unguided rockets. The missiles in the transport position are covered with a special armor casing. All equipment is mounted on an armored tracked chassis based on the T-72A main battle tank. The crew consists of 3 people: a driver, a tank commander and an operator. The TZM-T is equipped with a 5.45-mm RPKS-74 machine gun as the main defense weapon, and the transported machine gun ammunition is 1440 rounds.
Loading and unloading of missiles and charging and discharging of the BM-1 combat vehicle is carried out using a special crane-manipulator with a lifting capacity of 1 ton. The crane is controlled remotely by a hydraulic drive. A full charging/discharging cycle is performed in 24 minutes.
In the summer of 2023, the High-Precision Complexes holding (part of Rostec) reported on the successful testing of a new navigation system for the Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system (TOS-1A). According to the developer, after the modernization, the Solntsepeka will increase its shooting accuracy, and the processes for calculating special tasks will be automated.
At the end of July 2023, the High Precision Complexes holding announced the completion of testing a new navigation system for TOS-1A. VNII Signal has successfully tested a modern navigation system for BM TOS-1A Solntsepek. In addition, this system improves the firing accuracy of BM TOS-1A, automates the processes of calculating geodetic and special tasks. In the future, it is planned to equip all combat missions with these navigation systems machines," one of the leading enterprises of the Russian defense industry said. It is expected that this technical solution will improve the safety of the crews, since it will not be necessary to leave the combat vehicle for orientation and aiming.
