Tests of the TOS-2 "Tosochka" heavy flamethrower system should be completed by the end of this year.

This was announced by the general director of NPO Splav, Alexander Smirnov.

“Now joint tests are underway at the enterprises of the Rostec state corporation, in particular, NPO Splav and the Special Design Bureau of the military division of the Motovilikha Plants.

It is planned to complete them by the end of the year, "Smirnov said in an interview with TASS.

He stressed that these systems are expected in the troops.

“We are already preparing the calculations for the operation of the new system, because in terms of its technical equipment it is fundamentally different from TOS-1A.

We hope that TOS-2 will be in wide demand in our Armed Forces, ”added the head of the enterprise.

Alexander Smirnov also noted that the first show of "Tosochka" during the Victory Day parade on Red Square in the summer of 2020 aroused interest among foreign customers.

In addition, according to him, new rockets are already being developed for TOS-2.

“State tests are underway, the first pilot batch for experimental military operation has been produced.

We also plan to complete tests of the TOS-2 ammunition in full this year.

It is distinguished by increased range and can be used with TOS-1A, ”said the top manager of NPO Splav.

Earlier, Alexander Smirnov reported that supplies of "Tosochka" to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation would begin in 2021.

"The most unique car"

The development of heavy flamethrower systems and special thermobaric rocket projectiles began in the USSR in the 1970s.

In 1980, after successful tests, the TOS-1 "Buratino" system was recommended for adoption.

This system was a launcher of 30 guide tubes for launching thermobaric projectiles, which was located on a T-72 tracked platform.

By analogy with the tank, the TOS-1 crew carried out aiming at the target and fired without leaving the vehicle.

In hostilities, the Buratino system was first used at the final stage of the Afghan war in the late 1980s.

  • TOS-1A "Solntsepёk"

  • RIA News

  • © Alexey Kudenko

In 2001, an updated version of "Buratino" was developed - TOS-1A "Solntsepёk" with a reduced number of guide tubes for launching shells - 24 instead of 30.

These systems were actively used in operations against terrorists in Syria, as General Alexander Lapin spoke about in 2018, who until November 2017 headed the headquarters of the Russian group in Syria.

“The new heavy flamethrower system“ Solntsepёk ”has proven itself very well.

I will say, the most unique car.

Often it helped us a lot when it was necessary to destroy the militants in some underground or semi-underground shelters, ”Lapin noted.

At the same time, on the basis of the experience gained in the Syrian operation, the designers of NPO Splav, when developing the next model - TOS-2 "Tosochka", decided to transfer it to a wheeled chassis based on the Ural automobile with increased carrying capacity and cross-country ability.

This is not the only difference between Tosochka and its predecessors.

So, TOS-2 will have even fewer launch guides - 18, not 24, as in "Solntsepёk".

Rostec emphasizes that this will be offset by an increase in the power and range of the shells.

At the same time, "Tosochka" can work with shells from "Buratino" and "Solntsepyok", as it uses the same caliber - 220 mm.

In addition, unlike its predecessors, the TOS-2 is equipped with its own lifting mechanism, thanks to which the need for a transport-loading vehicle has disappeared - without it, the previous heavy flamethrower systems could fire a maximum of one salvo.

Shells for "Toosochka", in turn, can now be delivered on any vehicle, and the loading is provided by the vehicle's crew.

Rostec notes that TOS-2 is equipped with modern navigation equipment, including a laser rangefinder, satellite navigation, a Doppler speed meter and an inertial measuring unit.

In addition, "Tosochka" can fire from unprepared combat positions, and aiming, shooting and fire control are automated.

Military expert Alexei Leonkov, in a conversation with RT, noted that TOS refers to multiple launch rocket systems and are similar to installations such as Grad, Smerch and Tornado.

“This is a system that should suppress a group of targets over a large area.

Heavy flamethrower systems are designed to destroy armored vehicles and manpower, destroy buildings and objects located both in open areas and on fortifications, ”Leonkov said.

Despite the reduction in the number of warheads in the TOS-2, due to the transition to a new wheeled chassis, its effectiveness will remain at a high level, the analyst is sure, because the power of the new ammunition will increase.

“At the same time, the fire and combat properties of this system did not diminish.

It has a hydraulic crane that is used to reload projectiles, which fundamentally distinguishes it from the TOS-1 systems and others, which require a separate loading machine, ”the military expert explained.

"Increases the power of combat units"

According to Alexander Smirnov, TOS-2 "Tosochka" on the battlefield can interact with TOS-1A "Solntsepёk".

“These two complexes can coexist quite peacefully on the battlefield.

Based on the tactical situation, the command will be able to use the system both on wheeled and tracked, "- said the head of the NPO Splav.

  • Heavy flamethrower system TOS-2

  • © mil.ru

Considering the interest of foreign customers in the previous Russian flamethrower systems, we can say that Tosochki will also have a high export potential, Smirnov said.

“This year the system received an advertising passport.

Taking into account the interest of foreign customers in the TOS-1A system, we can safely conclude that the TOS-2 export potential is no less high, since this system has a number of improved technical characteristics, such as increased range, wheel travel, improved ergonomics, ”he said. TASS.

Experts, for their part, also clarify that salvo flamethrower systems like "Tosochka" are designed to defeat the enemy over a large area, which gives a significant advantage in battle.

“Systems such as TOS-2 are reminiscent of the famous Katyushas, ​​which fire up to 24 missiles with thermobaric warheads and thereby burn out an area comparable to several football fields.

These are machines of a different order than cannon artillery: the range of projectile launching was increased in them.

And this, accordingly, increases the power of combat units and the accuracy of shooting, "Dmitry Litovkin, editor of the newspaper Nezavisimoye Voennoye Obozreniye, said in an interview with RT.

He also stated that the new wheeled chassis significantly increased the mobility of the system.

"Buratino" and "Solntsepёk" use a tracked chassis, on which it is good to move around the field.

"Tosochka" allows you to quickly move along the roads, that is, with the help of this machine, you can quickly create a fire group to hit a target in dangerous directions, "Litovkin explained.

The use of a wheeled chassis instead of the tracked one, which is traditional for Soviet and Russian vehicles, also increases the export potential of Tosochka, the analyst believes, because such vehicles will be more convenient for use in desert or high-altitude terrain.

“There will definitely be interest from foreign customers.

However, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation will also be interested in obtaining such equipment as part of the development of the potential of the ground forces.

We also have areas where such vehicles will be useful for mobile parrying of the enemy.

For example, Central Asia, where there is an urgent problem of the breakthrough of bandit formations from the territory of Afghanistan, ”concluded Litovkin.