TOS-1 (Heavy Flame Thrower System) is a Soviet 220mm 30-barrel (original system, Ob.634 or TOS-1M) or 24-barrel (Ob.634B or TOS-1A) multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. TOS-1 Buratino was designed for defeating enemy personnel in fortifications, in open country, and in lightly armoured vehicles and transport. First combat tests took place in 1988-1989 in the Panjshir Valley during the Soviet war in Afghanistan. The TOS-1 was shown for the first time in public in 1999 in Omsk.
The TOS-1 Buratino is not used by the artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces but is found in NBC defense units.
The idea of a heavy short-range MLRS to launch rockets equipped with incendiary and thermobaric warheads arose in late 1970s. The combat system consisting of the combat vehicle, rockets, and loading vehicle was developed in early 1980s at KBTM in Omsk and was named TOS-1, remaining a secret development for a long time.
The TOS-1 is intended to engage military personnel, equipment, and buildings, including fortified constructions. The combat vehicle acts within the combat order of infantry and tanks. The large mass of the launcher and the need for a high-level of protection (due to the relatively short range of 3,500 m) helped determine the use of the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank. The reloading vehicle TZM was built on the chassis of a cross-country truck KrAZ-255B and equipped with a crane for loading/unloading of the launcher.
In 2001, the improved TOS-1A system entered service. the improved system's range has been extended to 6 kilometers and its ballistic computer has been upgraded .
The nickname Buratino matches the name of the hero of a Russian version of a Pinocchio-style tale (by Alexey Tolstoy), because of the big "nose" of the launcher, but the name essentially meaning "heavy flame throwing merry wooden boy" is somewhat ironic and sometimes used for comedic purposes in Russia. pravda
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