The Omsk transport engineering plant of Rostec-owned Uralvagonzavod Concern handed over a batch of modernized TOS-1A Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower systems to the Russian Armed Forces. The systems are equipped with modern launching equipment, improved built-in dynamic protection, a GPS / Glonass navigation system and a new modification of tracks with a straight lug, which made it possible to increase the convenience of the crew members of the BM-1 combat vehicle and reduce the time for completing the assigned combat mission. Other details of the modernization were not disclosed, it is reported that the work was carried out taking into account a number of design changes.
Recently, Russian media Topwar reported that Omsktransmash specialists are completing the development of a modernization option for heavy flamethrower systems, within which TOS will receive modern digital communication facilities, as well as equipment for a closed data transmission segment, which will allow them to be integrated into automatic control systems (ACS) of the tactical level. In addition, long-range ammunition from TOS-1 (Tosochka) will be adapted for TOS-1 and TOS-2A, thereby increasing the range of TOS to 15 km instead of the currently available 6 km.
TOS-1 Buratino Heavy Flamethrower System is a Soviet 220 mm 30-barrel (original system, Object 634 or TOS-1M) or 24-barrel (Object 634B or TOS-1A) Solntsepyok multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed to attack enemy fortified positions and lightly armoured vehicles and transports, in open terrain in particular. First combat tests took place in 1988 and 1989 in the Panjshir Valley during the Soviet–Afghan War. TOS-1 is not assigned to the artillery units of the Russian Armed Forces but is found in Russian NBC Protection Troops. That is why it does not have a GRAU index but rather an RKhBZ index—MO.1.01.00.
The TOS-1A Solntsepyok (Blazing Sun) system consists of BM-1 (based on a modified T-72A chassis and fitted with a rotating launch system for 24 unguided thermobaric rockets, two TZM-T ( re-supply vehicles, fitted with a 10 kN crane) and a set of rockets NURS. The BM-1 is fitted with the same equipment as the T-72 tank (NBC protection, fire-fighting, observation etc). Modernized systems with active protection, new engine and launchers and other improvements were delivered in early 2018. The launch vehicle is equipped with a fire control system with a ballistic computer, aiming sight and 1D14 laser range finder. All rockets can be launched within 6 to 12 seconds.
