How "Pinocchio" and "Solntsepek" were created
One of the most interesting examples of Russian-made rocket artillery can be considered the TOC-1 "Pinocchio" heavy flamethrower system. This complex combines the best qualities of armored vehicles, multiple launch rocket systems and flamethrower weapons, which gives it high combat qualities. No less remarkable and story creating a flamethrower system. It demonstrates the process of technology development and related ideas.
Experienced TOC-1 in Afghanistan, end of 80's. Photo Btvt.info
The roots of the TOS-1 project go back to the end of the fifties. At that time, several domestic organizations dealt with the issue of the further development of flamethrower systems for land armored vehicles. In the early sixties, these works led to interesting results. However, the modern "Pinocchio" was still far away.
VNII-100 and several other organizations, studying the prospects of flamethrowers, came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create special artillery systems with ammunition filled with incendiary mixture. In 1961-62 created and tested a prototype of such a complex. In addition, based on one of the existing tanks designed a self-propelled gun with original flamethrower weapons.
That project did not end with the successful construction of full-fledged equipment, but allowed to accumulate the necessary experience. In practice, they confirmed the possibility of creating an incendiary projectile with liquid combat equipment for barrel or rocket systems. In the near future, the existing developments were to find application in new projects.
In 1969, Major General V.K. Pikalov. He believed that his troops needed new types of weapons and equipment, including own specialized artillery with the possibility of flame throwing. It was on the initiative of the new command of the RKhBZ troops that the development of a promising project, now known under the code "Pinocchio," began.
"Pinocchio" on the march. Photo Btvt.info
In the early seventies, Major General Pikalov visited the Tula Research Institute-147 (now the NPO "Splav") and instructed him to work out the appearance of a multiple launch rocket system for the Russian Chemical Forces Tank Army. At that time, the institute was engaged in the development of modern MLRS projects for the ground forces and already had sufficient experience.
The preliminary design was carried out until August 1972. The Research Institute-147 proposed the general appearance of a promising MLRS. It was proposed to build a combat vehicle on the chassis of the T-72 tank and equip it with a package of guides for special missiles. Ammunition with a flammable mixture were supposed to fly at 3 km. The complex also included a transport-loading car on a car chassis.
The main problem at that time was the creation of a workable rocket with liquid combat load. To do this, I had to conduct a separate research work involving several organizations. The creation of the projectile was led by NII-147. Several chemical industry organizations have been involved in creating fuel for the engine and a mixture for the warhead. It was at this time that the Research Institute of Applied Chemistry began the development of promising flame mixtures for thermobaric charges.
TOC-1 on the march. Photo Russianarms.ru
Research participants developed a large number of different components and chose the most successful. Two dozen flame mixtures and four charge variants for their atomization and ignition reached the tests. In the mid-seventies, all these developments were tested, in which the most effective were identified. The tests ended with volley firing of experimental shells from a ballistic installation.
During the tests, the required and declared missile characteristics were confirmed. This allowed us to continue to work and begin to create a full-fledged artillery complex for the RKhBZ troops. The corresponding resolution of the Council of Ministers appeared in 1976.
At this stage, the list of project participants was replenished with a new organization. The finalization of the serial tank chassis was entrusted to the Omsk SKB-174 (now Omsktransmash from the NPK Uralvagonzavod). Improvement of rockets was carried out by the same organizations as before.
Reloading the launcher with a transport-loading machine. Photo Russianarms.ru
The tank chassis received a set of new equipment - a launcher with guidance in two planes, fire controls, feed jacks, etc. According to some reports, the launcher was initially offered on the 24 shell. The guides were placed in three rows of eight pieces. Subsequently, a fourth row with six pipes was built over them, after which the installation acquired its final form.
For a number of reasons, the TOS-1 projectile was distinguished by high ballistics, which made special demands on the fire controls. Project participants have developed a fairly sophisticated and sophisticated LMS, including various devices. It included an optical sight, a laser rangefinder, a set of position sensors for the machine and the launcher, as well as a ballistic computer. All this allowed to obtain the desired indicators of accuracy of fire.
The first prototype TOC-1 "Pinocchio" appeared in the late seventies and was used in testing. Already in 1980, the system showed all its capabilities and received a recommendation for adoption. However, the real adoption occurred much later.
Initially for TOC-1 rockets were intended only incendiary action. However, since the late sixties, the development of thermobaric flame mixtures has been carried out, capable of seriously improving the combat qualities of equipment. In 1985, a research project with the Flint code was launched, the purpose of which was to introduce existing developments into the TOS-1 project.
Modern combat vehicle TOS-1A. Photo NPK Uralvagonzavod / uvz.ru
The result of new work was the appearance of a projectile type MO.1.01.04. According to its technical characteristics, it was similar to the existing ammunition, but differed in the type of warhead. The thermobaric charge made it possible to affect the target with both a flame and a shock wave. When salvo firing, such warheads provided new advantages: the shock waves of several explosions interacted and strengthened the overall effect on the target.
In 1988, two TOS-1 combat vehicles went to Afghanistan for verification in a real conflict. Together with them it was planned to test rockets with both versions of the combat load. It should be noted that at that time the Pinocchio system was not officially in service, although the corresponding recommendation was received a few years ago.
The heavy flamethrower system was repeatedly used to deal with various objects and has proven itself well. Special results were shown by shells with thermobaric equipment. In mountainous areas, their fighting qualities improved due to some characteristic factors.
"Solntsepek" performs shooting. Photo NPK Uralvagonzavod / uvz.ru
Despite the successful use in Afghanistan, the TOS-1 did not enter service again. Only in 1995 did the necessary order appear, and the product “Pinocchio” was officially included in the equipment park of the troops of the Russian Chemical Forces. The following year, small-scale production began in the interests of the Russian army.
From the very beginning, the TOC-1 was criticized for the short firing range - no more than 3-3,5 km, which led to known risks. In the second half of the nineties, NPO “Splav” and related enterprises carried out the R&D “Solntsepek”, the result of which was the appearance of the TOS-1A complex.
As part of the work of "Solntsepek" designed two new missiles. With the same caliber, they were distinguished by a greater length and mass, which made it possible to use a new jet engine and increase the flight range to 6000-6700 m. The combat load remained the same.
Undermining rockets. Photo NPK Uralvagonzavod / uvz.ru
The increase in mass has led to the need to rework the launcher. The upper row of guides was removed from the package, reducing the ammunition load to 24 units. Also needed modernization of the SLA, taking into account the increased characteristics of the missiles.
The TOS-1A "Solntsepek" heavy flamethrower system also entered service and is mass-produced. However, as in the case of the predecessor, the pace of release was not too high. The total fleet of TOS-1 and TOS-1A in our army does not exceed several dozen units.
Work on the creation of heavy flamethrower systems, the result of which was the appearance of "Pinocchio" and "Solntsepeka", started almost half a century ago. The development of this technique was not quick and easy, but still led to the desired results. The RKhBZ troops, as planned by their command, received their own multiple launch rocket systems.
Thanks to this, the army as a whole received a special tool for solving certain combat missions. TOS-1 (A) successfully complements other MLRS with a "traditional" combat load of shells and increases the flexibility of the use of rocket artillery. “Pinocchio” and “Solntsepek” after a long wait found their place in the troops.
Experienced TOC-1 in Afghanistan, end of 80's. Photo Btvt.info
Distant past
The roots of the TOS-1 project go back to the end of the fifties. At that time, several domestic organizations dealt with the issue of the further development of flamethrower systems for land armored vehicles. In the early sixties, these works led to interesting results. However, the modern "Pinocchio" was still far away.
VNII-100 and several other organizations, studying the prospects of flamethrowers, came to the conclusion that it was necessary to create special artillery systems with ammunition filled with incendiary mixture. In 1961-62 created and tested a prototype of such a complex. In addition, based on one of the existing tanks designed a self-propelled gun with original flamethrower weapons.
That project did not end with the successful construction of full-fledged equipment, but allowed to accumulate the necessary experience. In practice, they confirmed the possibility of creating an incendiary projectile with liquid combat equipment for barrel or rocket systems. In the near future, the existing developments were to find application in new projects.
Research work
In 1969, Major General V.K. Pikalov. He believed that his troops needed new types of weapons and equipment, including own specialized artillery with the possibility of flame throwing. It was on the initiative of the new command of the RKhBZ troops that the development of a promising project, now known under the code "Pinocchio," began.
"Pinocchio" on the march. Photo Btvt.info
In the early seventies, Major General Pikalov visited the Tula Research Institute-147 (now the NPO "Splav") and instructed him to work out the appearance of a multiple launch rocket system for the Russian Chemical Forces Tank Army. At that time, the institute was engaged in the development of modern MLRS projects for the ground forces and already had sufficient experience.
The preliminary design was carried out until August 1972. The Research Institute-147 proposed the general appearance of a promising MLRS. It was proposed to build a combat vehicle on the chassis of the T-72 tank and equip it with a package of guides for special missiles. Ammunition with a flammable mixture were supposed to fly at 3 km. The complex also included a transport-loading car on a car chassis.
The main problem at that time was the creation of a workable rocket with liquid combat load. To do this, I had to conduct a separate research work involving several organizations. The creation of the projectile was led by NII-147. Several chemical industry organizations have been involved in creating fuel for the engine and a mixture for the warhead. It was at this time that the Research Institute of Applied Chemistry began the development of promising flame mixtures for thermobaric charges.
TOC-1 on the march. Photo Russianarms.ru
Research participants developed a large number of different components and chose the most successful. Two dozen flame mixtures and four charge variants for their atomization and ignition reached the tests. In the mid-seventies, all these developments were tested, in which the most effective were identified. The tests ended with volley firing of experimental shells from a ballistic installation.
The Pinocchio Project
During the tests, the required and declared missile characteristics were confirmed. This allowed us to continue to work and begin to create a full-fledged artillery complex for the RKhBZ troops. The corresponding resolution of the Council of Ministers appeared in 1976.
At this stage, the list of project participants was replenished with a new organization. The finalization of the serial tank chassis was entrusted to the Omsk SKB-174 (now Omsktransmash from the NPK Uralvagonzavod). Improvement of rockets was carried out by the same organizations as before.
Reloading the launcher with a transport-loading machine. Photo Russianarms.ru
The tank chassis received a set of new equipment - a launcher with guidance in two planes, fire controls, feed jacks, etc. According to some reports, the launcher was initially offered on the 24 shell. The guides were placed in three rows of eight pieces. Subsequently, a fourth row with six pipes was built over them, after which the installation acquired its final form.
For a number of reasons, the TOS-1 projectile was distinguished by high ballistics, which made special demands on the fire controls. Project participants have developed a fairly sophisticated and sophisticated LMS, including various devices. It included an optical sight, a laser rangefinder, a set of position sensors for the machine and the launcher, as well as a ballistic computer. All this allowed to obtain the desired indicators of accuracy of fire.
The first prototype TOC-1 "Pinocchio" appeared in the late seventies and was used in testing. Already in 1980, the system showed all its capabilities and received a recommendation for adoption. However, the real adoption occurred much later.
R&D “Flint”
Initially for TOC-1 rockets were intended only incendiary action. However, since the late sixties, the development of thermobaric flame mixtures has been carried out, capable of seriously improving the combat qualities of equipment. In 1985, a research project with the Flint code was launched, the purpose of which was to introduce existing developments into the TOS-1 project.
Modern combat vehicle TOS-1A. Photo NPK Uralvagonzavod / uvz.ru
The result of new work was the appearance of a projectile type MO.1.01.04. According to its technical characteristics, it was similar to the existing ammunition, but differed in the type of warhead. The thermobaric charge made it possible to affect the target with both a flame and a shock wave. When salvo firing, such warheads provided new advantages: the shock waves of several explosions interacted and strengthened the overall effect on the target.
TOS-1 in service
In 1988, two TOS-1 combat vehicles went to Afghanistan for verification in a real conflict. Together with them it was planned to test rockets with both versions of the combat load. It should be noted that at that time the Pinocchio system was not officially in service, although the corresponding recommendation was received a few years ago.
The heavy flamethrower system was repeatedly used to deal with various objects and has proven itself well. Special results were shown by shells with thermobaric equipment. In mountainous areas, their fighting qualities improved due to some characteristic factors.
"Solntsepek" performs shooting. Photo NPK Uralvagonzavod / uvz.ru
Despite the successful use in Afghanistan, the TOS-1 did not enter service again. Only in 1995 did the necessary order appear, and the product “Pinocchio” was officially included in the equipment park of the troops of the Russian Chemical Forces. The following year, small-scale production began in the interests of the Russian army.
From "Pinocchio" to "Sunpine"
From the very beginning, the TOC-1 was criticized for the short firing range - no more than 3-3,5 km, which led to known risks. In the second half of the nineties, NPO “Splav” and related enterprises carried out the R&D “Solntsepek”, the result of which was the appearance of the TOS-1A complex.
As part of the work of "Solntsepek" designed two new missiles. With the same caliber, they were distinguished by a greater length and mass, which made it possible to use a new jet engine and increase the flight range to 6000-6700 m. The combat load remained the same.
Undermining rockets. Photo NPK Uralvagonzavod / uvz.ru
The increase in mass has led to the need to rework the launcher. The upper row of guides was removed from the package, reducing the ammunition load to 24 units. Also needed modernization of the SLA, taking into account the increased characteristics of the missiles.
The TOS-1A "Solntsepek" heavy flamethrower system also entered service and is mass-produced. However, as in the case of the predecessor, the pace of release was not too high. The total fleet of TOS-1 and TOS-1A in our army does not exceed several dozen units.
Special tool
Work on the creation of heavy flamethrower systems, the result of which was the appearance of "Pinocchio" and "Solntsepeka", started almost half a century ago. The development of this technique was not quick and easy, but still led to the desired results. The RKhBZ troops, as planned by their command, received their own multiple launch rocket systems.
Thanks to this, the army as a whole received a special tool for solving certain combat missions. TOS-1 (A) successfully complements other MLRS with a "traditional" combat load of shells and increases the flexibility of the use of rocket artillery. “Pinocchio” and “Solntsepek” after a long wait found their place in the troops.
Information