RUSSIAN “FLAMETHROWER” THERMOBARIC ARTILLERY SYSTEM THAT IS DECIMATING UKRAINIAN TARGETS

The armament of the TOS-1 consists of a block launcher with 24 guide pipes of 220 mm caliber with 3,725 m length for launching unguided missiles. The whole system is mounted on the center of a tracked armored chassis. The missile block launcher unit is fitted on a mobile platform that can be rotated on 360°. Depending on the target, the firing could be conducted by single or double shots from two barrels.

The acronym TOS stands for Tyazhelykh Ognemetov Sistema , or “heavy flamethrower system” in English. As a word to describe the TOS-1 system, “flamethrower” is not wholly adequate. Instead, the missiles launched by a TOS-1 are built around a fuel-air explosive, or FAE. Unlike napalm, which sticks to its target as it burns, explosions derive from aerosolized chemicals that quickly spread and react to cause a long-lasting, powerful explosion that sucks the air out of the targeted area. This makes the TOS-1 lethal against enemy formations in all settings. Neither armor nor entrenchment can insulate the target from the effects of an FAE explosion.