The combat vehicle has become more maneuverable, long-range and accurate than its predecessors
The Russian troops received the latest heavy flamethrower systems TOS-3 "Dragon". This information was confirmed by Izvestia sources in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The new machine is made on the basis of a tank chassis and received 15 guides for rockets — less than the heavy flamethrower systems of previous generations. Experts believe that the TOS-3 has become more maneuverable, long-range and may have received a new satellite module that allows you to conduct spot fire at specified coordinates.
Secret CBT
TOS-3 "Dragon" was included in the official video of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation from the 1st Guards Mobile Brigade of the Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Forces (RCBZ), where the 45th anniversary of the formation of the compound was celebrated. The fact that the latest heavy flamethrower systems have entered service with the RCBZ units was confirmed by Izvestia sources in the Russian military department.
Not much is known about the TOS-3 "Dragon". It was reported that in early 2024, the Omsk Plant of Transport Engineering (Omsktransmash) applied for registration of the trademark TOS-3 "Dragon". This company develops and manufactures heavy flamethrower systems.
In April of this year, Sergei Shoigu, then Minister of Defense, when checking the fulfillment of the state defense order at one of the enterprises of the military—industrial complex in the Omsk region, said that production of new heavy flamethrower systems had begun there.
Heavy flamethrower system TOS-3 "Dragon" during the display of the latest military equipment
Image source: Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation
At the same time, Bekhan Ozdoev, industrial director of the Rostec state Corporation, said that the new heavy flamethrower system would be equipped with a new launcher, which "will increase the firing range and use new ammunition." He also stated that the first experimental combat vehicle has already been created.
In the West, the appearance of the video from the CBT-3 "Dragon" caused a stir. For example, the German newspaper Welt wrote that the Russian army will receive a new installation, from which it is impossible to hide even in a bunker.
The characteristics of the new car were not officially announced. But after the video appeared, it became clear that the "Dragon" was made on a tank chassis, received dynamic armor protection on at least the sides and a protective screen made of mesh above the launcher — these are now called mangalas.
Crew members on the armor of the heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "Solntsepek" of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in the zone of a special military operation
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
Military experts interviewed by Izvestia noted that the new CBT has only 15 guides for launching missiles and they have become longer — this is the main change, which suggests that the machine may seriously differ from its predecessors. There were more guides on heavy flamethrowers of previous generations: The Soviet CBT-1 Pinocchio has 30, the Russian CBT-1A Solntsepek has 24, and the wheeled CBT-2 Tosochka has already 18.
— The reduction in the number of guides suggests that even this amount of ammunition will be enough to complete a combat mission, — Dmitry Kornev, editor of the Military Russia portal, told Izvestia. — This may indicate an improvement in accuracy.
Oleg Zheltonozhko, an expert on the weapons of the RCBZ troops, agrees that a design with fewer launch guides can be associated with new ammunition and a satellite module that allows point fire at coordinates obtained from reconnaissance.
TOS-2 "Tosochka" heavy flamethrower multiple launch rocket system during a demonstration of combat and special training skills at the training ground of the RCBZ troops training center
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti/Mikhail Voskresensky
— Now the emphasis is not on hitting the square, but a specific combat vehicle or firing point, — he explained. — During our training, we were faced with the fact that the process of preparing for firing is quite long, and this makes the equipment vulnerable. It is clear that the relevant systems are being improved. If earlier they came, deployed at certain sites, put up some means of orientation on the ground, now there is no time for this. We need to move on to the means and principles of fire control that are actively used by that side — HIMARS, for example. The new module, which allows you to conduct pinpoint fire at coordinates, will solve many problems.
Heavy flamethrowers in combat
Dmitry Kornev noted that the lengthening of the guides may indicate that the machine is likely to receive new thermobaric projectiles with more advanced fuel, which will increase the firing range of the system.
According to him, it is almost impossible to escape from the impact of such projectiles. The principle of operation of these ammunition is quite simple: in the warhead of the rocket there is a combustible mixture and a fuse. Upon hitting the target, the combustible mixture is sprayed as an aerosol. After the explosion, a fiery cloud and a strong explosion create excessive pressure over a large area. In addition, all oxygen in the affected area burns out — for this reason, these ammunition are often called vacuum. It is impossible to survive within the range of such ammunition — shelters do not help.
— Now the firing range of the CBT is low, they have to approach the line of contact in order to strike, — he noted. — In addition, the launcher with 15 guides weighs less than the previous ones. This makes it possible to provide better protection and maneuverability to the car by reducing the load on the chassis. All this increases survival.
The heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "Solntsepek" is firing at one of the ranges of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation
Image source: Photo: Global Look Press/MOD Russia
According to him, the "Dragon" will definitely take into account the requirements that a special military operation has presented to such equipment.
— Reducing the size, for example, makes the new CBT less distinguishable from tanks, — he said. — Now it is quite easy to determine CBT from a reconnaissance drone by the large and powerful square dimensions of the launchers. The new look will allow the fighters to mask the car more effectively.
CBT is actively used in the conduct of military operations in the area of its own. The reports of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation often report which targets were destroyed by these combat vehicles — as a rule, they hit fortified areas, firing points, equipment and an accumulation of enemy personnel.
In particular, the Ministry of Defense reported that now the units of the Ivanovo Guards Airborne Brigade with the "Solntsepeks" are actively supporting the assault units at Chasov Yar, destroying enemy fortifications.
At the same time, the crews of the TOS-1A of the 1st Army Corps of the "Southern" group of troops are burning platoon strongpoints and shelters of the AFU units in the Donetsk direction.
Bogdan Stepovoy
Andrey Fedorov
