Analysis: Russia uses in Ukraine Tornado-G 122mm rocket launchers offering more accuracy at up to 40 km
New pictures were released on the Russian Social Network "VK" showing the use in Ukraine by the Russian armed forces of the latest variant of the BM-21 Grad 122mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) named the Tornado-G which is able to fire GPS-guided rockets offering more accuracy with a maximum firing range of 40 km.
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The Tornado-G is able to fire guided and unguided at a range of up to 40 km with more accuracy that the BM-21. (Picture source VK Russian Social Network)
The Tornado-G is the new generation of Russian-made BM-21 GRAD 122mm MLRS (Multiple Launch Rocket System) that can fire guided rockets over long ranges. It has the same launcher station as the BM-21 consisting of 40 tubes for 122mm rockets but is equipped with a new navigation and guidance system that allows its rockets to fly a programmed trajectory and hit a specific target with high accuracy.
The digital control system and modern communication systems allow the Tornado-G to use unmanned aerial vehicles for target reconnaissance, guidance, and adjustment of firing. This significantly increases the combat effectiveness of using such multiple launch rocket system.
The Tornado-G is able to fire all the standard rockets of the BM21 but three new rockets were developed for the new rocket launcher including the 9M538, 9M539, and the 9M541.
The 9M538 is an unguided rocket fitted with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead of increased power (index 9M538) that is twice as effective as the standard Grad projectile.
The 9M539 is an unguided rocket with a detachable high-explosive warhead with fragmentation increased-efficiency. It is designed to destroy open and sheltered manpower, unarmored vehicles, command posts, and other targets. A missile can effectively hit targets behind folds of the terrain (backward slopes, ravines, etc.) and in mountains. The damage efficiency is, on average, six times higher than that of the uncontrolled 9M22U high-explosive fragmentation projectile (standard projectile) of the Grad system.
The 9M541 is an unguided rocket with a cluster warhead with cumulative fragmentation sub-munitions offering 10 times more effective than the previous version. The rocket is equipped with a cluster warhead with cumulative fragmentation sub-munitions (index 9M541) hits armored targets at a distance of up to 20 km and penetrates 140 mm thick armor.
