There our army weapons is excellent, and there are - simply frightening in its efficiency.The latter category includes the installation of volley fire "Pinocchio."Manufacturers themselves say that after one salvo in a radius of three kilometers there is nothing left alive, even bacteria.
At the time, the appearance of these machines has caused hysteria among domestic "human rights defenders", who claimed that the Armed Forces with their help "destroy the civilian population."The absence of witnesses not in the least embarrassed - just within a radius of three kilometers have no choice, then there is no demand.Leave the matter to their conscience.
Today we are interested in a few more.Why does the installation of volley fire "Pinocchio", the effectiveness of which is simply amazing, in service of our army is perhaps the single copies?In addition, this complex is a general?To answer this question, and this article was written.
What does chemists?
In the mid 1980s, work on the creation of thermobaric rounds blast surround fully captured the attention of the generals.And for good reason!After all, the effect of the explosion of ammunition in appearance and effects similar to the action of a small tactical nuclear weapons.Almost all of the armed forces "lined up", eager to take something like this on board.However, the infantry quickly waited portable "Bumblebee", but the rest had to wait for the creation of heavy salvo systems.
specifically for the Air Force was soon created a unique bomb ODAB-500.But NBC, strange as it seems, decided to go on his way.It is not known what chemical forces, such a system.One can only assume that it is designed to burn hazardous chemical weapons the enemy before he has time to apply it.
Omsk designers and their colleagues from the famous Perm Motovilikha was tasked.In the first case a new installation called CBT, but the second - the installation of volley fire "Pinocchio" CBT-1.Whatever you say, but in vain our military blamed the lack of humor ...
experience of combat use
first "debut" took place in 1988-89 when the actions of a limited military contingent in Afghanistan.Then the rocket launcher "Pinocchio" (two units) was involved in Charikarskoy Valley, as well as in the Southern Salang ("Typhoon").Even then, regulations have been established, indicating the inadmissibility of a long stay in the firing position.Typically, the machine is on target and then immediately left the "illuminated" point.
Most often any operation carried out only under safe cover from three to four tanks and infantry who were to prevent the action of enemy grenade.To minimize the risks of occurrence of an emergency, the side containers for missiles left blank.All the difficulties were rewarded a hundredfold: it turned out that the effect of thermobaric weapons in a mountainous area just incredible.The very landscape dramatically increases the strength and power of the explosion.
incidentally, set to "Pinocchio" was highly recommended to the adoption was after these field trials.In Chechnya, the weapon was first used during the second campaign in March 2000 (the storming of Komsomolsk).They say both sides, the main effect was psychological: the militants as "penetrated" by what he saw, that went out from positions already only when the rumors that the installation will be used, "Pinocchio."
Introducing the
Judging from the appearance, at first glance, "Pinocchio" recalls conventional chassis of the T-72, on which the package of the tubular guide (30 pieces).The rockets (220 mm caliber, by the way), are filled with a special space-combat detonating mixture.Differing thus from the MLRS systems ("Castle", "Cyclone"), these missiles have a minimum amount of fuel.This is due to the fact that the range of launch does not exceed 3.5 kilometers.For better pointing accuracy launcher mounted on a turntable.
Today
It is for such a small range of installation "Pinocchio", which has a photo in the article, it has been repeatedly criticized by some experts.Fortunately, the domestic industry is not standing still, and so far the development of new types of missiles that fly have six kilometers.
Targeting is performed by the crew, which for this purpose uses a laser rangefinder and ballistic computer.The system of fire "Pinocchio" (fire control system, precise) - a semi-automatic, guidance to the target is performed manually.
Shooting can be carried out as a single, and a doublet, as well as queue (30 rockets fly in 7.5 seconds).The power of the installation and in fact amazing: powerful brick buildings turned into a mountain of smoking rubble in just a few seconds.The fate of the enemy who has taken refuge in them it is better not to think.
Security - above all!
Despite the fact that the installation of volley fire "Pinocchio" is quite actively involved in the Afghan war, weapons long hidden under dozens of "classified."After the "Pinocchio" very "pleased" the militants in the village of Komsomolsk, secrecy was lifted.Sense to keep it on was not as volleys TOS-1 broadcast on all federal channels.
Now description of "Pinocchio" is easy to find, even in overseas forums, not to mention the domestic resources.
Unrealized prospects
Some sources report that at one time there was a rumor about creating Omsk CBT-based T-80 - the only one in the Soviet Union, which had a gas turbine power plant.Given the characteristics of the chassis, it would be possible to hope for sharply increased mobility and maneuverability to get a machine.Among other things, it planned to further equip "Pinocchio" 30mm automatic cannon and 7.62 mm machine gun.In this case, volley fire "Pinocchio" could be complemented by "fireworks" of additional weapons.
Theoretically, all the activities carried out could increase the number of combat power and effectiveness of the system.It is not known whether this development has progressed further suggestions or layouts.However, many experts believe, not without reason, that this modification would not give anything good.Firstly, the question immediately arises feasibility of placing combat vehicle on the chassis of the T-80, which is not used as widely as his "colleague", the T-72.
negative aspects of such a modification
Despite the many positive aspects of the gas turbine power plant, its maintenance and repair is much more expensive.In addition, the bitter experience of 1995 (the storming of Grozny) has demonstrated that the use of conscripts as operators of such equipment should not be.Given that it recruits the backbone of the modern Russian army, such a modification would not have been relevant.
Currently in service of our army still has a significant amount of gas turbine T-80, but still their number is not too much.Pretty stupid alter this technique in heavy flamethrower system when the warehouses are thousands of outdated versions of T-72.
How does it work?
said a lot of flattering words about the combat power of the TOS-1 "Buratino", it's time to tell about the principles on which the work itself is based system.
Speaking quite simply, the first fuel-air explosives create a cloud of flammable aerosols, and then set fire to it.Can be used as liquid, and fine powder metal mixture.To the mixture was completely homogeneous in design of munitions include special mixing devices, which operate to the approach to the target.Designers have to solve many difficult problems.One of the most difficult is to prevent premature ignition of the mixture immediately after the destruction of the projectile shell.
this requirement rocket launcher "Pinocchio" is very different from the MLRS, the shells of which have just the same to detonate immediately after contact with the target.
Unlike conventional munitions
From standard explosives, which are commonly used in ammunition, aerosol different slow speed of propagation of the blast wave (about 3000 m / s), and also a great time of its existence.That is why such a mixture affects a large area.As thermobaric effect, it is connected with the fact that at the moment of explosion all oxygen, which is in the targeted area, reacts with the components of the aerosol.
process is fractions of a second.During this time the pressure rises sharply at first, and then just as abruptly falls, reaching the mark of 160 mm.Hg.Art and even lower.If the enemy survives after a sharp rise in temperature (which is unlikely, as it reaches 3,000 degrees Celsius), at the moment it is simply reducing the pressure burst.
heavy armored vehicles, were in the affected area comes in complete disrepair, and armored personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and such machines are transformed into a pile of metal junk.
Pros and cons of many chemists
addition, CBT "Pinocchio" entered service field engineers who need to use it to destroy the strengthening of well entrenched enemy.Armor allows you to adjust the distance setting a direct shot, and then completely destroy the anchor point several missiles.Excellent tank chassis gives it mobility, maneuverability comparable to BTR and BMP.
Despite all of the above, it is not necessary to consider CBT "Pinocchio" some "wonder weapons."The large size and poor armor - not the best combination on the battlefield.And if the crew is still relatively well protected, the main danger - in the chaotic escape of rockets from hitting even the bullet launcher machine gun.Just imagine how many troubles can mess things up three dozen thermobaric missiles flown apart in the arrangement of their own parts!
And so in the same Chechnya "Pinocchio" issued only under the cover of two or three tanks."Do business", the whole company carefully to crawl to safety.However, labor flamethrower in the war has never been simple: just compare a man with a flamethrower behind which gently creeps to the enemy CEDC with the system we have described, and you will understand how much they have in common!
So why do so few of them?
not currently possible to say with certainty how many TOS-1 "Buratino" is available in our army, but, by all accounts, not so much.So why weapons have such high performance is not massively armed?The fact is that this is - a specific "tool" for individual operations.When massive fighting MLRS much more convenient and safer, as it allows to fire from concealed positions.
foreign contracts
In general, immediately after the declassification of the machine repeated attempts TOC sales abroad.First case in this regard were not too successful.This was largely due to the fact that the proposed export of obsolete option that customers were not nearly as interesting.
Already in 2010, Jordan was promoted CBT with new shells (see above), the range of which was six kilometers.Local army is very interested in a new specimen of weapons.In particular, it will explore the possibility of upgrading by Russian specialists tanks M-60 chassis that Jordanians want to establish domestic development.
In principle, there is nothing extraordinary, since volley system "Pinocchio" - actually a combat unit that can be mounted on any suitable weight armored vehicle.For example, in Jordan, for these purposes can be used tank chassis "Tarik" or "Khalid."In addition, the chassis has recently acquired the British "Challenger-1" ("Al-Hussein") for this purpose is also suitable fine.
first buyer
Whatever it was, but it was the first buyer of Kazakhstan, which has for 25 years has repeatedly shown itself as a reliable trading and strategic partner.First Kazakh military purchased three TPS.It was a special variant from the base it is distinguished by the fact that the chassis has been used as a T-90.
However, to date, reached an agreement that the TOZ will be made by Russian specialists directly in Kazakhstan, which it plans to use the reserves of the old T-72, which are currently in conservation.
