Many countries, including the United States, have already abandoned the use of flamethrowers. But not Russia, which is using fire on the battlefield with "redoubled efforts," writes TNI. The latest model of the TOS-2 heavy flamethrower system is similar to the "odious" BM-13 multiple launch rocket system and can easily unleash a powerful barrage of fire on the enemy.
Sebastien Roblin
Things to remember. Unlike previous models, which were mounted on the chassis of a tank, the TOS-2 is made on the wheeled chassis of a Ural truck with increased cross-country capability and carrying capacity.
Many countries, including the United States, have abandoned the use of flamethrowers, but Moscow is redoubling its efforts to use fire on the modern battlefield. But these are no longer the satchel flamethrowers that the infantry used during the two world wars. Russia has developed the TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system based on the T-72 tank. This is a multiple launch rocket system designed for firing thermobaric ammunition.
The latest prototype of the Tosochka heavy flamethrower system is currently being tested, the TASS news agency reported on Friday, citing the Russian military.
"The TOS-2 heavy flamethrower is one of the newest weapons of the RCBZ troops (radiation, chemical and biological protection), - the commander of the radiation, chemical and biological protection forces, Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, said in an interview with the newspaper of the military department Krasnaya Zvezda. "An experimental batch of these weapons was delivered to the troops this year and is currently being tested."
Before these tests, the first stage of flamethrower tests took place, which took place during the Kavkaz-2020 exercises at the Kapustin Yar training ground in the Astrakhan region. The President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, was present at the main stage of the exercises, although it is unknown whether he saw the Tosochka in action.
During the September tests, the new system was used to destroy the advancing tanks of a simulated enemy. Ammunition was used in thermobaric and smoke-burning equipment.
"We managed to inflict heavy losses on the advancing enemy with the fire of unguided rockets with a thermobaric head of increased energy," an official representative of the Ministry of Defense told the TASS news agency during the September exercises.
TOS-2 Tosochka is a new version of the TOS-1A Solntsepek heavy flamethrower system. The new platform has improved features. The TOS-1A was an upgraded version of the TOS-1 Pinocchio, as the well-armored heavy multiple rocket launcher system is called, capable of firing incendiary and thermobaric rockets, as well as destroying or hitting any unprotected targets in its path.
Unlike previous models, which were mounted on the chassis of a tank, the TOS-2 is made on the wheeled chassis of a Ural truck with increased cross-country capability and carrying capacity.
This makes it resemble the infamous BM-13 multiple launch rocket system, which was created during the Second World War. The soldiers lovingly called her "Katyusha" after the name of a popular Red Army song during the war. The Germans called this system the "Stalin Organ." The BM-13 was used very effectively on the battlefield and was officially named the Guards mortar.
TOS-2 is its version from the 21st century. It has an increased range of launching rockets. Tosochka also has fully automated aiming, shooting and fire control systems. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the heavy mortar is equipped with a crane, and therefore it does not need a transport and loading vehicle. The TOS-2 also has an electronic warfare system with precision weapons. The Tosochka's armor is weaker than its predecessors, but it is capable of bringing down a powerful barrage of fire on the enemy's head.
