Russian army has systems in their effective as weapons of mass destruction, but it is operating on the basis of explosives belonging to the so-called brisant group.Without nuclear tactical warheads or chemical charges, our troops can cause great damage to the enemy.All living things in the event of such an attack will burn over an area of thousands of square meters, and hide in some underground shelters or military equipment is quite useless.The name of this unusual weapon, having no analogues in the world - heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "sun."Woe to those who would be his goal.
What do the "Bumblebee", "Pinocchio", "sun" and the vacuum bomb?
Any device from a technical point of view is characterized primarily by the main idea according to which it functions.
There are many ways to describe how a flamethrower system "sun.""Popular Mechanics", a site explaining the principle of the different types of technical equipment, including weapons, focuses on the nature of the flame-throwing projectiles, not forgetting about the driving performance of machines and systems, fire control.All this is important, but there is another aspect of the physical nature of the damaging factors, "the sun."The fact is that from the backpack or receiver-tank principle of Russian arms for a long time refused, believing, apparently, it obsolete.The tank with the fuel behind flamethrower, or similar containers inside the combat vehicle is a great danger for those who intend using flaming jets burn the enemy, but it's not so bad.After all, any weapon, even an ordinary small, always requires special care in handling.The main problem is the low combat effectiveness, laughable by today's standards the application of distance and low accuracy.All three negative factors overcome in the design of such weapons as "Bumblebee", "Pinocchio" and "sun".Heavy flamethrower system seemingly has little to do with manual compact device, like a bazooka.But at a deeper acquaintance it becomes clear that the basis of the principle of action is the volume explosion like the one that creates a vacuum bomb.
invisible enemy, and how to fight it
principle surround the explosion came up with the Americans in the sixties.The original idea was not to create weapons of mass destruction.Engineers was tasked to solve the problem of quick cleaning terrain of dense vegetation characteristic of the jungle of Vietnam.It was necessary to create a helicopter landing sites, which had cut down manually.After the first cases of the military had the idea to use the same principle, and for the soldiers of the enemy, namely the Viet Cong guerrillas sheltering in underground structures.Conventional bombs could not destroy the whole city hidden under the ground.Vacuum weapon was a godsend for the armies fighting an invisible enemy, who knows the area well and striking suddenly appearing from nowhere and disappearing into the unknown.
Through the years, the Soviet Army and was faced with similar problems.Detachments of the Mujahideen hiding in the Afghan mountains, using relief.Discover the rebels had taken refuge under a layer of rock, sometimes elevated ordinary road jack, almost impossible, from a helicopter they do not see, and coming closer, any military units risked ambush.Here and handy heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "sun", military equipment, designed for continuous volumetric lesion.
Operating principle
Volume explosion takes place in two phases.The first thing about the need to do so that he turned it to spray the fuel mixture.At the same time, the smaller the variance will, the will shattering effect.For example, the flour mills and cement plants are considered to be hazardous areas, although, as everyone knows, no gunpowder, TNT or there is not.Responsible for the accident becomes the usual dust, or rather, its large surface area.A tiny spark - and there is instantaneous oxidation reaction, which is called the explosion.
That it was the turn of the second phase: airborne particles need to ignite.
That such missiles, producing first spraying agent, and then the ignition of the air-fuel mixture, shoots "sun" heavy flamethrower system.
«Pinocchio" and "sun»
Up "sun" was "Pinocchio."A system with this merry fantastic name applied the Soviet army in Afghanistan, and work on it began in the early seventies.The general ideology of that class of weapons to meet certain views of the then leadership of the General Staff, and was characterized by a certain degree of megalomania.Use the "Pinocchio" is possible in the case of open confrontation frontline large military groups or positional fighting, during which the units are located in the fortified areas in depth.After realizing that this situation is unlikely in the modern world, the idea is to adapt and modernize in general good weapon.As a result, it received a "sun."Heavy flamethrower system has become "easier", reduced the number of trunks and increased their security.
number of trunks
If we compare the two systems of salvo flamethrowers, the difference can be seen immediately.Funnel trunks from which shoots "Buratino", arranged in four rows of three, eight and one shorter, in the six rounds.Simply look Russian "sun" (photo).Weapons constructed by the formula 3 x 8. Thus, the shells 24, not 30, that get rid of excess firepower, and along with excessive weight, improve mobility and made it possible to implement enhanced bulletproof reservation system receiver.Still, "work" she had in front-line conditions in the vicinity of the location of enemy units, and who knows what kind of subversive group will break to destroy it.
Aiming Missiles can be managed (RM) and usually having a parabolic ballistic trajectory (NUR).That such missiles, the second type, not with independent guidance shoots heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A.Missile technique of this type has only folding stabilizers tail section, the purpose of which is to minimize the dissipation.Naturally, the need for a well-aimed hit devices providing reliable sighting, otherwise inevitable accidental contact is not where you want, and even by their own forces.The equipment, which is equipped with a heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "sun" is the general name of "OMS" (fire control system) including a computer system, a laser range finder, optical monitoring devices, including infrared imaging, and means of operative communication(to adjust).The result of this system is the correct angles horizontal and vertical pivot block trunks.
Chassis
Who TOS-1A "sun" heavy flamethrower system multiple rocket launchers mounted on a unified basis of the T-72, which provides ease of repair and prevention of the chassis.Instead, the tower is installed guidance system, having in his part of the turntable (with an electromechanical drive) and a swinging part (with electro-hydraulic system).Power plant on the basis of a tank engine makes 840 hpSpeed (60 km / h), range with full fuel (550 km) and other running characteristics in general are the same as the T-72.Plans to gradually transition to the chassis "Almaty was" that will increase the mobility of the complex.
launcher and loader machines
But one mobile unit is "the sun."Heavy flamethrower system staffing consists of three machines, one BM-1 (with a crew of 3 persons) and two transport-charging TLV-T, having the same chassis.Weight of the equipped mobile launcher - a little more than 43 tons.TLV-T weighs 39 tons, it is equipped with manipulators, facilitating the process of loading.Machines have a sapper unit in which is carried out if necessary the deepening of the soil (entrenchment).
Shells
upgraded heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "sun" may be to fire two types of thermobaric standardized projectiles caliber 220.They differ in size and weight, and the difference that causes the power produced by the explosion.The missile weighs 173 kg MO.1.01.04 and length of 330 cm, its enhanced version MO.1.01.04M - 217 kg and 3.7 m, respectively.Deliver charge for solid rocket motors, except they are present in the design of the head portion and the fuse.Range of fire - up to six kilometers, the minimum distance to the target - 400 m.
Combat application of thermobaric NWD
Thermobaric shells showed high efficiency in the mountains and canyons.This was aided by the area in which spray the slurry does not have time to dissipate, and therefore burns the highest percentage of its volume.After the expansion phase begins "folding" of the air mass, oxygen reacts with the fuel and there is a reverse shock wave.We know of a few cases of application of TOC-1 ("Pinocchio") in Afghanistan, in particular during the operation "Typhoon" (Salang, 1989) and Charikarskoy Valley (1988).In positions of anti-government groups were dealt a crushing blow.
In 2000, the system of "Pinocchio" was used in the village of Komsomolsk, where militants have established strong fortifications.The fate of the terrorists was sealed.
«sun" in a real battle has not yet been used, but since the NWB in its action does not differ from the TOZ-1 is easy to predict the effect.
Export potential
In 2008, Rosoboronexport has received permission to sell these weapons abroad.The first customer was the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Kazakhstan (3 pcs. TOS-1A).Then the "sun" interested in Azerbaijan, in 2013 the country bought six units, and the same is planned to purchase.Iraq - another state with which supports traditional Russian military cooperation.Heavy flamethrower system TOS-1A "sun" will be supplied for the needs of the armed forces of the country, have great difficulty in dealing with radical groups, which indirectly confirms the reputation of this technique, surpassing American manufacturers, rely on certain privileges in the region.
Tactics
multiple rocket launchers "sun" is protected by a very conventional, close-range strike it difficult, if, of course, be able to get close subversive group.The need for security is not infecting machines adds.You can, of course, to fire from fortified positions, but it creates a risk that an installation or TOZ cater to the occasional bomb.Maximum shooting distance - six kilometers away.Modern artillery systems can reach more remote and secure facility, not to mention the cruise missiles or frontline aircraft.
For all these reasons, the military experts consider the most appropriate tactics of these heavy rotation system concealed exit to firing positions just before a volley and the subsequent maneuver with the departure from the possible fire.To implement this scenario designers "KB transport engineering" of the city of Omsk have created the necessary conditions.Prepare to fire the crew has time for fifteen minutes, and the duration of volleys - 24 seconds.
«sun» and news
now known Russian military units in which the number of technical staff install TOS-1A "sun."However, at times the media have reported that the weapons seem to be as seen in the conflict areas of some states, particularly in the eastern regions of Ukraine.There is no confirmed evidence that the militias DNI or LC is at the disposal "sun" heavy flamethrower system.News of this are rather speculative.
