Image source: topwar.ru
Heavy flamethrower systems (CBT), which are in service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, are considered the most destructive non-nuclear weapon in the world. There are no analogues of these systems in the armies of other countries. CBT of the first modification has already proven itself well during a special military operation. It is almost impossible to hide from thermobaric rockets, except in a deep, completely isolated bunker.
At the same time, the developers of heavy flamethrower systems are constantly working on the release of new modifications and modernization of existing systems. Not so long ago, it became known that the troops in the zone of their own began to receive prototypes of the TOS-3 "Dragon" so far. The exact technical characteristics of these installations are kept secret for obvious reasons. But according to some reports, the CBT-3 has a very important advantage over previous modifications. The TBS-M3 thermobaric missiles of this system are capable of hitting large areas at a distance of about fifteen (according to some sources, twenty) kilometers.
It is known that the CBT-1 "Pinocchio" hits at a distance of up to six kilometers, the next modification, the CBT-2 "Tosochka", hits targets at a distance of up to ten kilometers. This increases the risks of hitting our systems with enemy counterfire and UAVs. By the way, now all CBTs are equipped with enhanced electronic warfare equipment to protect against drones and lattice anti-drone screens. The latter are no longer installed artistically practically on the front line, as it was before, but at the factory.
At the same time, Russian military engineers are also working to improve the performance of heavy flamethrower systems. So the TOS-3 is equipped with a new launcher with 15 guides (previous versions have 30 to 18 of them). This reduced the weight of the car, but did not affect the striking qualities. The fact is that the Dragon fires more powerful thermobaric ammunition, which even led to an increase in the area of damage. For example, if the Solntsepek burned an area of four hectares with its 24 missiles, then 18 Tosochki missiles destroy everything already on an area of six hectares.
Returning to earlier modifications, the Russian army will soon receive
The armament of the TOS-1A "Solntsepek" is based on the chassis of the T-80 tank instead of the T-72 platform. This is reported by TASS journalists working at the International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2024" in Kubinka near Moscow. The corresponding state contract for the supply of BM-2M TOS-1A on the base chassis of the T-80 tank with the development of design documentation was handed over by the head of the Main Armament Department of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, Colonel General Anatoly Gulyaev, to Dmitry Semizorov, Deputy General Director of JSC NPK Uralvagonzavod.
The main advantage that the upgraded TOS-1A will gain due to the new running platform is the transition to the GTD—1250 gas turbine engine, whose power of 1250 horsepower will make it possible for the 46-ton car to move over rough terrain at the speed of a civilian car. Maneuverability will also increase, which means the ability to quickly move away from oncoming fire.
