Russia upgrading firing range and accuracy of TOS-1A Solntsepyok flamethrower.

Work is currently in progress to increase the firing range and fire accuracy of the TOS-1A Solntsepyok flamethrower, chief engineer of the Omsk Transport-Machine Building Plant (Omsktransmash) Denis Petrov said: “Work is currently underway to increase the firing range and fire accuracy [of the TOS-1A Solntsepyok flamethrower] and simplify the process of target aiming and fire mission fulfillment. First of all, the talk is about an extension of the coverage area,” Petrov said during the Voyennaya Priyomka program on the Zvezda TV channel.
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TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower displayed at Armya-2018 (Picture source: Army Recognition)

According to the chief engineer, the way of using the system has changed. During the special operation, it is being used at the forefront. “Initially, the vehicle was designed as a support system, but experience has shown that, as a rule, it operates at the forefront. And after the assigned combat mission is accomplished, the troops get to work,” he said. According to Petrov, such a decision has been made, since it is impossible to hide from a thermobaric projectile, its effect penetrates everywhere.

TOS-1A

The TOS-1A Heavy flamethrower was designed for the fire support of infantry and tanks, defeating enemy personnel at an unconcealed environment and under the shelter in various kinds of offensive and defensive combat action, and also for incapacitation of light armored transport and vehicles.

It can fire unguided 220mm rockets (30-barrel) or incendiary and thermobaric rockets (24-barrel) from a main battle tank chassis. 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 at the maximum range of 6,000 m. It allows suppressing enemy active actions for a long time period and 100% destruction of unconcealed enemy personnel at an area of 40,000 square meters.

The maximum action effect of unguided missiles in thermobaric equipment could be reached in mountainous areas because of blast wave mutual apposition and their multiple reflections from surrounding rocks, causing ground taluses and stone blockages. High accuracy of salvo fire at the target area is provided by target direct sighting (aiming) of the launcher, automatic aiming at a firing range of up to 6,000 m. Ammunition consists of 72 missiles, 24 of which are based at TOS-1A and 48 at reloader vehicle TZM-T. T-80 or T-90 tanks can be used as the basis chassis.

Modernization on the way

According to topwar.ru on September 25, a batch of TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower systems was already handed over to the Ministry of Defense. As part of the modernization developed at Omsktransmash, the TOS-1As receive modern launching equipment, improved built-in dynamic protection, a GPS/Glonass navigation system, and new tracks. Other details of the modernization are not disclosed. Perhaps they relate to the installation of a new communication system and equipment for a closed data transmission segment, which allows integration of TOS into automatic control systems (ACS) of the tactical level.

TOS-1A is actively used by Russian troops in their war waged in Ukraine. Since the range of destruction of these systems is only 6 km, the artillery systems work under the protection of main battle tanks, as they cannot fire from a safe distance. Since the Ukrainian army specifically hunts for flamethrower systems, after a salvo the vehicle quickly changes position, leaving to reload. Notice that TOS-1 and TOS-1A should receive long-range ammunition designed for TOS-2 Tosochki.