In addition to the "Sunshine". What is known about "Tosochka"
Project History
Industry representatives regularly talk about the progress of the “Tosochka” project, and the main features of the future car have become known. At the same time, while the developers did not have time to disclose other information of no less interest. First of all, this is due to the fact that the project started not so long ago, and while enterprises have to keep secrecy.
The Toschka project was announced in the summer of 2017 in the course of the MAKS showroom. The development of this sample is carried out in the NPO "Splav". The project involved the development of existing ideas with the use of new components. It was argued that the delivery of the new TOC of the Russian army will be carried out in the framework of the new State Armaments Program, designed for 2018-2025. It was also planned to present the system in the international market.
In January last year, the leadership of the Tekhmash concern, which includes the Splav NGO, spoke about the successes of the Toschka project. By that time, the development organization had time to begin producing a prototype flame-thrower system. Such a prototype in the near future was supposed to go on preliminary tests.
Curious information came in April 2018-th. Then the management of "Tehmash" said that in 2019 it was planned to conduct state tests of the TOC, and in 2020 the pilot military operation would begin. The relatively quick development and testing of the prospective model is directly related to the architecture used.
In July, Tehmash clarified the current status of the project. Work on "Toshochka" at that time was going according to plan. They were planned to be completed in the coming years. Thus, in 2019-2020. it is necessary to wait for the appearance of full-fledged samples suitable for armament.
During the recent exhibition “Army-2019”, the topic TOS “Tosochka” was raised again. The developer organization has successfully completed its tasks, and now the project is entering the state testing stage. In this case, the timing of such works were not specified.
Technical features
Unfortunately, most of the information about the technical appearance of the future "Toschka" has not yet been disclosed. Developing organizations have repeatedly mentioned only certain features of the technical appearance and the expected results of the project. However, this data also creates an interesting picture.
Back in 2017, NPO Splav revealed one of the main features of the project. Existing serial TOS of domestic production are built on modified tank chassis. It is proposed to make a promising "Toosochka" on a wheeled platform. The experience of operating the TOS-1 in different conditions, including in desert zones, showed the disadvantages of the tracked chassis and certain advantages of the wheeled chassis.
The type of chassis for the “Toschka” remains unknown, but there is every reason to believe that this will be one of the existing domestic platforms. From this it follows that the new model will differ from the existing ones not only by the general architecture, but also by a number of other features. Apparently, the level of protection of the crew and units, etc. will be different.
At the same time, it is not planned to change the launcher. It will be borrowed from the existing sample and will retain the existing design. Unmanaged 220-mm projectiles with thermobaric or incendiary warheads will also be preserved.
It was mentioned that “Tosochka” will differ from “Buratino” and “Solnephek” with higher tactical and technical characteristics, however, no specific figures were given. Also, the areas in which the new model will surpass the old ones were not specified. Apparently, the new "Tosochka" will favorably differ in the characteristics of mobility and mobility.
In recent years, repeatedly appeared news on the development of promising ammunition for domestic TOC, characterized by an increased range of fire and increased power. The introduction of such products into the new complex will provide Toshochka with certain advantages in fighting qualities. However, older flamethrower systems will also be able to use similar ammunition.
In addition to the combat vehicle with a launcher, serial-loading heavy flame-thrower systems include transport-loading equipment with the appropriate equipment. How this issue is solved in the “Toschka” project is unclear. Probably, together with the self-propelled launcher, a unified TZM will be commissioned.
Advantages and disadvantages
The developers of “Tosochka” have already revealed some details of the project, as well as indicated its strengths. The argumentation looks convincing and, in all likelihood, the new TOC will indeed show high fighting qualities, enhanced by the modified architecture.
Due to the preservation of the launcher and unguided projectiles "Tosochka" will be able to show the range and power at the level of existing samples. Upgrading electronic fire control equipment can provide an increase in accuracy and efficiency of fire. Similar effects will have the development of new improved ammunition.
The main innovation of the “Toschka” project is to transfer all funds to the wheeled chassis. Such a combat vehicle will be able, independently and without the involvement of tank carriers, to navigate along the roads and go faster to a given position. At the same time, however, it can be difficult to work on rough terrain, where a tracked chassis shows known advantages over a wheeled one.
It is argued that the decision to transfer the launcher to a wheeled platform is associated with the experience of the use of "Sunpinek" in the Middle East. With all its advantages, the tracked chassis was not very convenient for solving specific combat missions in local landscapes.
Prospects for operation
Obviously, the Russian Armed Forces will be the starting customer of “Tosochka”. In our army there is a certain amount of tracked TOC of old models, and in the future they will be joined by a certain number of wheeled combat vehicles. The main result of this will be the empowerment of flamethrower units. Depending on the current situation and the conditions available, the army will be able to send tracked or wheeled flame thrower systems into battle. Directly fighting qualities of all TOC must be on the same level.
In the recent past, the TOC-1A complexes managed to be exported. Such equipment is in service with five countries of near and far abroad, and some of the export combat vehicles have already taken part in real operations. The new project “Tosochka” is being created, including with an eye on the sale of equipment to third countries.
The first foreign buyers of new CBT can be Iraq and Syria. They have already managed to try out TOC-1А, but the tracked chassis of such machines does not quite meet the specific use in the region. The wheeled "Toschka" turns out to be more interesting for Middle Eastern countries. Delivery abroad and use in real combat operations can be a good advertisement, after which other foreign armies will be interested in Russian equipment.
However, as the experience of TOC-1 and TOC-1А products shows, the market for heavy flamethrower systems is not large. Serial production "Tosochek" for our and foreign armies can be limited to only a few dozen units.
Nevertheless, in this case, the project "Tosochka" is of great interest to the Russian army and the armed forces of third countries. According to the available data, an experimental military operation of such equipment should start next year, and after that we should expect the launch of full-fledged serial production for ourselves and for export.
- Ryabov Kirill
- NPK "Uralvagonzavod" / uvz.ru
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