Russia modernizes Smerch and Tornado-S 300mm rocket launchers to match Iskander-M ballistic missile capabilities.

As reported on Russian social media on December 12, 2024, the Russian company NPO Splav launched modernization programs for the 300mm guided rocket systems used by the BM-30 Smerch and Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). These upgrades aim to improve the range and accuracy of these systems, potentially extending their operational ranges to 180–200 kilometers while refining their flight characteristics. New designs, including a supersonic ramjet-guided missile, may align the capabilities of the upgraded rockets more closely with those of the Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile.
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The BM-30 Smerch MLRS, originally introduced in the late 1980s, was developed to engage a wide range of targets, including personnel, armored vehicles, artillery, and infrastructure. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The Tula-based NPO Splav is implementing modernization programs to enhance the capabilities of its 300mm corrected and guided rocket projectiles, specifically the 9M55F/K and 9M544/549 families, used in the Smerch and Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS). This includes adjustments to the aeroballistic properties of the projectiles, such as reducing the cross-sections of aerodynamic rudder units and minimizing surface protrusions, aimed at improving range and flight characteristics. Updated solid-propellant rocket motors with higher-impulse fuel charges are being introduced, potentially extending the range of these systems to 180–200 kilometers, approaching the operational performance of the Iskander-M tactical ballistic missile.

In addition to these modifications, NPO Splav is developing a guided missile with an integral rocket-ramjet engine and retractable air intakes. This design is expected to maintain a velocity of approximately 1,000 m/s during the terminal flight phase and achieve ranges of up to 300–330 kilometers. If successful, it would significantly enhance the long-range precision strike capabilities of 300mm rocket artillery systems.

The BM-30 Smerch MLRS, originally introduced in the late 1980s, was developed to engage a wide range of targets, including personnel, armored vehicles, artillery, and infrastructure. Its projectiles feature inertial control systems for improved accuracy, as well as mixed solid propellants for extended range. The system includes 12 launch tubes, allowing it to deliver a full salvo within 38 seconds and cover an area of 672,000 square meters. Reloading takes approximately 20 minutes. Smerch supports various types of warheads, including high-explosive fragmentation, thermobaric, and cluster munitions equipped with self-aiming submunitions. The MLRS is mounted on MAZ-543M and MAZ-543A chassis, which are equipped with 525-horsepower engines and specialized fire control systems.

The Tornado-S system, a modernization of Smerch, integrates new guided missiles with ranges of up to 120 kilometers and features individual flight programming and strapdown inertial navigation systems. These enhancements improve targeting precision by a factor of 15–20 compared to the original Smerch system. Tornado-S is compatible with existing Smerch ammunition and incorporates an automated guidance and fire control system (AGFCS), which enables autonomous navigation, rapid target acquisition, and missile retargeting without crew exposure. The combat vehicle is based on a modified MAZ-543M chassis and is supported by the 9T255 transport and loading vehicle, the 9S936 command and staff vehicle, and other auxiliary components.

The operational history of the Smerch system includes conflicts in Chechnya, Syria, Ukraine, and Nagorno-Karabakh. It has also been exported to multiple countries, including India, Algeria, Belarus, and others. Its standard ammunition includes projectiles with ranges of up to 70 kilometers, while newer designs, such as the 9M542, extend the range to 120 kilometers. Tornado-S projectiles, such as the 9M544 and 9M549, further expand these capabilities. The Tornado-S system has been fielded by the Russian military since 2017 and is also offered for export.

Both Smerch and Tornado-S are designed for high-impact strikes against a variety of targets, including vehicles, artillery, command centers, and critical infrastructure. Their ability to integrate reconnaissance assets, such as UAVs, enhances real-time targeting and effectiveness. These systems provide automated control through their AGFCS, supporting precise and efficient deployment in diverse operational conditions. The modernization initiatives by Splav aim to extend the service life and operational capabilities of these systems, aligning with evolving requirements for range and accuracy.