TOS-2 vehicles have become a priority target for enemy drones
The enemy is actively searching for Russian heavy flamethrower systems: this is a priority goal for them. To protect their equipment, mobile cover groups search for enemy UAVs not only in the air, but also check on the ground along the route to see if the enemy has left the so—called "waiting drones" - drones that can be in ambush for a long time and then attack from close range. The Tosochka is escorted to the firing positions of the TOS-2 by buggies, armored personnel carriers and fighters with small arms. They have dozens of destroyed kamikaze drones to their credit. The Izvestia report describes how combat work and protection of flamethrower systems are organized.
Promotion to positions
Field fortifications are useless against heavy flamethrower systems — a single salvo can completely destroy them. The enemy is constantly looking for these cars. Therefore, they enter firing positions before dawn, each departure is a well—planned operation. There is a buggy of reconnaissance and armored personnel carriers with the car.
Once in position, the soldiers quickly deploy an anti-aircraft turret on the roof of the armored personnel carrier and install a machine gun with a thermal imager. The design and the shooter behind it resemble American anti-aircraft machine guns on armored vehicles during World War II. Similar ones became known to the general public in Russia after the release in 2014 of the film "Rage" starring Brad Pitt, where it is used by a tank crew. The squad leader jokes that the ideas were discussed all together, and the cliches of popular culture, stored in memory, played a role. But the main reference point was the available car parts, for example, the hub bearings at the base of the pedestal. And the skills of welding and working with metal were with the driver of the APC, in civilian life he worked at a service station.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Before the departure of the main vehicle, the future position is checked for the presence of ambush UAVs — "zhdunov". Such copters can wait a long time for a target to approach in disguise, and then attack from close range and low altitude. Fighters with light small arms dismount to fight kamikazes: smoothbore rifles and machine guns.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— The most important thing is to organize the work. If there is no good organization, then everything will go to hell: both equipment and people will be destroyed. It is worth missing only one "bird", not to report on time, and it may be the end, because when the "package" detonates, there is nothing left around," says Artyom Karpov, commander of the heavy flamethrower platoon. He alone has more than a dozen kamikaze drones shot down with a shotgun.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The launcher is completely covered. Compared to our previous visits to the unit, its protective body kit has become even more diverse. The armored cabin is covered with metal nets. The rocket guides are completely covered by screens. And thick steel chains hang from the back, which protect against a kamikaze attack on the march when the installation is folded into the transport position.
The best reward for flamethrowers
Vladimir Trofimov, commander of the Tosochka crew, had previously worked on the last generation of heavy flame throwers, the Solntsepek. Those systems were made on the chassis of the tank, respectively, and had heavier armor. But our interlocutor explains that today the ability of a wheeled vehicle to quickly travel a long distance to a firing position is more important than armor. In addition, the new generation machine has a very high degree of computerization and automation, and the preparation for the shot is faster, and the fire itself has become more accurate.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
— Taking into account the realities of a special military operation, mistakes are quickly corrected. Science and industry are involved quickly and clearly, they often come to us here, they conduct dialogues on an ongoing basis," says Vladimir. He has been in the army since 2023, volunteered and mastered the profession during his military service, and in civilian life was a carpenter.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
Today, the main task of flamethrowers is to destroy enemy strongholds where their engineering training protects them from classical artillery. For flamethrower systems, it practically does not matter how powerful the field fortifications are and how the dugouts are buried in the ground. If full-fledged differential pressure chambers and airlocks are not equipped inside, then the thermobaric shock that occurs during the combustion of the mixture will spread and destroy the manpower in the shelters.Gorenje You can only escape in concrete bunkers.
— It's a balm to the heart when the signal from the storms comes later: "Thanks guys, we went in without any problems, there were no losses." This is the best award," says the commander of the car.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Dmitry Astrakhan
Image source: iz.ru
The Russian army has several types of heavy flamethrower systems in service. TOS-1 Pinocchio and TOS-1A Solntsepek are built on a tank chassis. The newer one, TOS-2 Tosochka, is based on a truck. Last year, the troops received the TOS-3 Dragon. The systems are traditionally part of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces and are designed for fire support of infantry, tanks, destruction of open and closed firing positions, as well as for disabling lightly armored vehicles and enemy vehicles.
Izvestia reported on the combat work of Tosochka. Compared to the machines of previous generations, it has an increased range.
Dmitry Astrakhan
