The American expert portal 19FortyFive called the heavy flamethrower system (TOS) "Pinocchio" the most powerful non-nuclear weapon in Russia, capable of "causing damage in a terrible way." I figured out why, decades after the adoption of Pinocchio, it suddenly caused such a stir. “Perhaps this is Russia's most powerful non-nuclear weapon. The TOC-1 and variants of this weapon can deal incredible damage in a gruesome manner. One installation can burn out an area about the size of two football fields, ”the portal writes.
It is noted that drones help determine the goals of Russian TOS. To hit targets, thermobaric charges are used - those that use both temperature and pressure as a damaging element.
“They release a chemical cloud that literally sucks the life out of everything in the affected area. In the event of a conflict, TOS should become the number one target for the enemy, ”the newspaper writes.
TOS-1 "Pinocchio" and its modification TOS-1A "Solntsepek" were created in Russia, which is, among other things, in service with other countries - Azerbaijan, Armenia, Algeria, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Syria. It was reported that from 2021, after the completion of state tests, the new TOS-2 "Tosochka" will begin to enter the Russian Armed Forces.
"Pinocchio" was developed from 1971 to 1979 by the Omsk "Design Bureau of Transport Engineering" (KBTM). The complex consists of a combat vehicle on the highway of the T-72 tank, the launcher of which had 30 guides, and a transport-loading vehicle on the KrAZ-255B chassis.
The system was adopted by the USSR Armed Forces in 1980, and was first used in Afghanistan in 1988-1989.
In recent years, NPO Splav has been working on the production of a prototype of a new generation of heavy flamethrower system TOS-2 Tosochka.
“The main difference between TOS-2 and previous systems is in the wheelbase. The new system is based on a three-axle Ural-63706 chassis with all-wheel drive and an armored cab. This off-road platform has already established itself in the army as a multi-functional truck. The decision to change the tank base to a wheeled one was dictated by the experience of using the TOS-1A in the Syrian desert, ”the website of the Rostec state corporation reports.
"Tosochka" is equipped with modern navigation equipment - a laser range finder, satellite navigation, a Doppler speed meter, an inertial measurement unit - and can fire from unprepared firing positions.
According to Rostec, Tosochka will not displace Pinocchio and Solntsepek, but will expand its lineup.
“The Buratino and Solntsepek systems are multiple launch rocket systems that ensure the destruction of targets through the use of 220 mm volumetric explosion ammunition. "Pinocchio" has a firing range of only 3.5 km, "Solntsepek" - 6.5 km. They are intended to defeat troops on the battlefield in the face of opposition to the enemy.
TOS is capable of taking out lightly armored vehicles and destroying buildings, but it can also destroy the enemy in fortifications.
Targets are destroyed by a field of high temperature and pressure, which are released during the massive use of unguided rockets. The warhead of such a rocket is filled with an incendiary or thermobaric component,” said Konstantin Sivkov, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Rocket and Artillery Sciences.
He noted that, "indeed, after the use of such shells in the affected area, there is actually nothing left alive - this makes it possible to overcome the enemy's defensive zone without losses in the future."
“The Americans decided to “advertise” Russian TOS, there is a tendency to attribute all sorts of intrigues and horrors to Russia without reason. "Pinocchio" has been in service with the Russian Armed Forces for several decades, being improved - of course, this is a serious weapon, because it means guaranteed destruction of area targets. Russia has such systems - so what? They even have an export look, so the Western media did not make any sensation.
Perhaps, to an uninformed reader, the characteristics of TOC look really sensational and frightening. But this topic is being pedaled, probably in order to once again show that Russia needs to be feared,” said Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the National Defense magazine, director of the Center for Analysis of the World Arms Trade (TsAMTO).
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