New armor, new shells, new chassis: the evolution of "Buratino"
History A whole family of heavy flame-throwing systems dates back to the early seventies, when Soviet industry was instructed to work out the possibility of creating new types of equipment. By this time, several new MLRS were developed and tested, and a logical continuation of this was the creation of a heavy system of this class. In this case, the heavy MRLS was supposed to use ammunition with incendiary warheads or charges of a volumetric explosion.
The design of the first model of the future family started in 1971 year and lasted until the end of the decade. Omsk Design Bureau of Transport Engineering became the lead contractor. Development of the launcher for rockets and related equipment was entrusted to the Special Design Bureau of the Perm Machine-Building Plant. Ammunition of new types was to be developed by the State Research and Production Enterprise “Splav”.
The first "Pinocchio"
From a certain time, a promising complex of volley fire with incendiary and thermobaric ammunition began to be designated as a heavy flame-thrower system. In accordance with this, subsequently the first sample of such equipment under the working designation “Object 634” was called TOC-1, the cipher “Buratino”. An unusual pattern of technology in a few decades became famous under these names.
Calculations showed that the firing range of new high-power shells would not exceed several kilometers, and therefore the combat vehicle needed serious protection. For this reason, the basis for the "Object 634" was the chassis of the main combat tank T-72 with combined ballistic armor on the frontal projection. For use in a new project, a number of “tank” units were removed from the chassis, as well as equipped with some new devices. Perhaps the most notable innovation in the field of chassis is a pair of hydraulic jacks in the stern.
SKB PMZ has developed a new launcher designed to work with advanced missiles. On the chase of the hull it was proposed to place a turntable with extension brackets on which the pins of the guide package were fixed. The launcher received its own guidance drives, controlled from crew positions. Using a remote control, the gunner can control the rotation of the entire installation and the inclination of the package of guides.
The TOC-1 project involved the use of a launcher with 30 guide pipes. The pipes were located in four horizontal rows. At the same time, the three lower rows included eight pipes each, while the upper one was distinguished by a smaller width and consisted of only six. A package of guides from all sides protected by an armor cover. His front and back walls were removed before shooting or reloading.
The crew of "Buratino" consisted of three people - the driver, the commander and the gunner. All of them were located inside the body, below the roof level. Equipment jobs commander and the gunner provided observation, search targets and subsequent tip weapons. For TOC-1, it was necessary to develop a new fire control system that takes into account the characteristics of the existing weapons.
According to the project, the heavy flamethrower system was supposed to use an unguided missile MO.1.01.04. This product had a tubular body without a pronounced head fairing; in the tail section were stabilizers unfolded in flight. The total length of the rocket - 3,72 m, diameter - 220 mm. Starting weight - 175 kg. More than half the length of the body was given under the warhead weighing 73 kg. The projectile can be equipped with a thermobaric liquid mixture with a explosive charge and an igniter or a smoke-igniting composition. The remaining hull volumes were intended for a solid-fuel rocket engine.
Projectile MO.1.01.04 differed ambiguous flight data, which led to some reduction in firing characteristics. With it, you can attack targets at ranges of at least 400 m and no more than 3,6 km. The firing range is changed by raising the launcher to the desired angle of elevation. Data of this kind is produced by the fire control system.
To work with the "Object 634" was created a special transport-loading machine. Devices for storing and transporting 255 missiles, as well as crane equipment for reloading them to the launcher, were mounted on the KRAZ-30B serial car chassis. Calculation TZM - 3 person. When two crews work together, TOC-1 fully recharges, according to standards, 30 minutes.
At the turn of the seventies and eighties, the new model of military equipment passed all the necessary tests and received a recommendation for adoption. In 1980, an order was issued. However, mass mass production did not start for a number of reasons. For a long time, the army had only a few combat and transport-loading vehicles.
In December 1988, a couple of available TOC-1 went to Afghanistan to participate in Operation Typhoon. Such checks in the face of real conflict ended in success. "Pinocchio" showed high efficiency of fire on targets in mountain conditions. It is known that with some firing unexpected effects were observed: the shock waves from the explosions of different rockets bounced off the ground and reinforced each other.
According to the results of combat work in Afghanistan, the TOC-1 system was again recommended for adoption. Only after that the army managed to find an opportunity to purchase a small batch of equipment. According to various sources, for several years the Soviet and then Russian army received only a dozen combat vehicles. This technique is operated by parts of the troops RCBZ.
In the 1999 year - two decades after the appearance - the heavy flamethrower system TOC-1 was first presented to the public. A few months later, in the spring of 2000, the public first learned about the combat work of such samples. Then the rocket artillery had to be used during the fighting in Chechnya. The high efficiency of the fire was again shown.
Superior "Sun"
With all its positive features, TOC-1 was not without flaws. In the late nineties and the beginning of the two thousandth, the wishes of the operator were implemented in a modernization project called TOC-1A "Solntsepek". During the work on this project, certain changes were made to the design of all elements of the complex. Moreover, one of them was radically reworked.
During the tests and actual operation, criticism was repeatedly expressed regarding the existing package of guides with 30 pipes. His defense was considered inadequate, which could lead to the worst consequences. Fortunately, for all the time the equipment was in operation, there was not a single case of damage to guides and rockets, followed by fire. Nevertheless, such customer requirements were taken into account when creating the “634B Object” (BM-1) combat vehicle.
From the base sample BM-1 differs, first of all, in another package of guides. Now the car carries only three rows of starting rails, eight each. In this case, the pipes are located inside the armored casing with a high level of protection. At the cost of a slight reduction in firepower, it was possible to dramatically increase survivability on the battlefield.
The existing rocket was upgraded. The updated product MO.1.01.04M received an improved jet engine, thanks to which the flight range increased to 6 km. Due to the appearance of a new projectile, TOC-1А can fire at a target from outside the range of the enemy’s ground weapons. In particular, now the complex does not threaten the existing types of tanks.
The existing transport-charging vehicle on the basis of a wheeled vehicle did not fully meet the requirements, and therefore it was decided to replace it. The structure of "SunTech" includes a new machine TZM-T ("563 Object"), built on the chassis of the T-72 tank. On special cargo devices with armor protection, it transports 24 unguided missiles. In addition, TZM-T is equipped with its own crane, facilitating the work of the calculation. Chassis unification visibly simplifies the joint operation of two machines of the complex.
The Russian army, which already had a certain number of TOC-1 systems, purchased a small batch of newer TOC-1А. Also foreign countries are interested in this technique; Kazakhstan was the first foreign customer. Later orders appeared from Iraq, Syria and Azerbaijan. It should be noted that all foreign customers, with the exception of Kazakhstan, have already managed to test the "Solneptek" in battle in certain conditions. In particular, with the help of the "Sun chains" the Iraqi and Syrian army repeatedly attacked the objects of terrorists.
Wheel "Tosochka"
About a year ago, representatives of the company "Splav" announced the imminent emergence of a new heavy flame-thrower system, which is a further development of the existing "Buratino" and "Sunpain." Another development of this kind has received a fun and frivolous working title - “Tosochka”. At that time, the promising complex was not yet ready for demonstration to the general public, but its developers have already announced some details of a technical and other nature.
The main innovation of the project "Toschka" will be wheeled chassis. Existing designs are based on tracked tank chassis, which may limit their mobility. It is assumed that the wheel flame-thrower system will be able to advance faster to the specified positions using existing roads. However, the project developers have not yet specified the type of chassis for the new flamethrower system. The existing “Tosochka” models will also differ in the reduced level of protection, which should affect the characteristics of combat use. This system will have to be used mainly in closed firing positions.
Already last year it became known that the new State Program on Arms, designed for 2018-2025 years, provides for the purchase of a certain number of promising heavy flame-thrower systems. A little later, in January of this year, it was announced the start of assembling a prototype of the Toshok system. Approximately in 2020, such equipment is planned to be transferred to pilot troop operation. A few years after that, the army will be able to receive serial samples.
Unfortunately, the Russian defense industry is only talking about its new development, but not in a hurry to show it. However, at the end of May it was announced that in the near future several promising samples of reactive artillery would be presented at once. One of the "prime minister" will be the heavy flamethrower system "Tosochka". Probably, the first show of an experienced combat vehicle will remove a lot of questions, as well as lead to the appearance of others.
Development continues
The idea of a specialized rocket launcher system using thermobaric warheads appeared in the early seventies, but it seems that it still remains relevant. To implement this idea in our country, two versions of specialized combat vehicles, designed to use special rockets, have already been created. In addition, development work is underway to create a new sample of this kind.
It is easy to see what changes undergone the appearance of domestic heavy flame-thrower systems in the course of modernization. So, initially TOC-1 Buratino could work in the same combat formations with tanks and attack the enemy in the front line. The first processing within the framework of the TOC-1A project “Solneptek” retained all these features, but provided for an improvement in the protection characteristics and the unification of the main elements of the complex. The last project at the moment called “Tosochka” offers to increase the mobility of the flame-thrower system through the use of a fundamentally new chassis.
With systems such as "Sunlight" and "Toschka", the army can effectively solve various combat missions, the implementation of which directly depends on the characteristics of technology. In some situations, TOC-1А will prove to be a more convenient and effective tool, while in other conditions it will be more profitable to use “Tosochka”. Such flexibility of use will allow to better realize the full combat potential of heavy flame-thrower systems.
The Russian army is armed with multiple types of volley fire systems, including unique samples using thermo-pressure ammunition. Despite its solid age and specific combat missions, this technique remains in service and finds application in real conflicts. Moreover, the underlying concept is developing and opens up new horizons for the army.
On the materials of the sites:
http://ria.ru/
http://tass.ru/
http://tvzvezda.ru/
http://uvz.ru/
http://russianarms.ru/
http://btvt.narod.ru/
http://arms-expo.ru/
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