This Russian Tank-Mounted Rocket Launcher Can Incinerate 8 City Blocks

Popular Mechanics ^ | September 14, 2015 | Jake Swearingen

[C19fan]

When the Soviets were thinking about landwar in the late 1970s, they struck upon idea: How about strapping as many rockets as possible to a T-72 tank chassis, and using it on the battlefield? Thus, the TOS-1 Heavy Flamethrower System was conceived.

If you're confused by the "flamethrower" bit in that designation, it's understandable. The TOS-1 (and its more modern variant, the TOS-1A) look nothing like traditional flamethrowers, either handheld or tank-mounted, used in World War II and other conflicts. Instead, the TOS-1 is designated a flamethrower because, in addition to traditional incendiary rockets, it can also fire thermobaric rockets.

[C19fan]

Katyusha's descendent. I have seen YouTube videos of this system in action in Iraq...impressive.

[miliantnutcase]

Ghetto MLRS

[Uncle Miltie]

[donozark]

If you ask Russian sources if this weapon was used in the Donbas, they will say NO! If you ask Ukr. sources, they will say YES!

[glorgau]

Perfect for home self-defense.

[oldplayer]

Perfect for defense against “Black Lives Matter” terrorists?

[JoeProBono]

[BenLurkin]

ping

[17th Miss Regt]

And something to do with lots of old T-72 chassis!

[Old Sarge]

in addition to traditional incendiary rockets, it can also fire thermobaric rockets.

Sweet Jaysus, the MLRS when firing battery service could burn out a grid square.

This beast?? Put those in the tubes, and it'd be a ghetto-grillout.

[notdownwidems]

Can they start with the eight city blocks between Pennsylvania Avenue and Constitution Avenue in DC?

[McGruff]

“Can Incinerate 8 City Blocks”

Urban renewal project?

[McGruff]

I recently came across a supplier and can get you a great deal on a used tank.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2572149/Stunning-images-huge-abandoned-tank-graveyard-Ukraine-machines-come-retirement-tensions-Russia-continue-escalate.html

You just have to pay the shipping and handling charges.

[GunHoardingCapitalist]

Would need a couple because their protests (promoted riots) are usually larger than 8 blocks

[tcrlaf]

There are at least two reports of this being used in Ukraine that I can recall, at Donetsk Airport and again at Debaltseve, with one destroyed near Donetsk AP.

Ukie propaganda called it a “thermobaric” weapon, which it isn’t.

It has a HUGE drawback, that being it has a VERY short range, 500-3000 meters, depending on the type of rocket, and has to get really close to the target to be effective.

But, when you can get close enough to shoot, it’s catastrophic. Some rsourcess credit this system with finally flushing the Right Sector out of the Donetsk Airport Terminal.

Vid of the TOS-1 in action:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WfacUxfJbFI

[antidisestablishment]

Democrats can incinerate entire cities. The Ruskies got nothin on Detroit—now that is urban destruction!

[Army Air Corps]

It may appear “ghetto”, but it can still make you just as dead.

[McGruff]

Thermobaric rockets are a "fuel-air" weapon system. When fired, the rockets disperse a cloud of flammable liquid into the air around the target, and then ignite it. The results are devastating - not only is the explosion significantly longer and the shockwave significantly hotter and stronger than a conventional warhead, but all the oxygen in the near vicinity is also consumed, creating a partial vacuum. This makes them horrifying weapons to use against infantry and entrenched personnel in bunkers and caves - exactly what the TOS-1 was designed for. Victims typically die either from the intense pressure of the initial blast, or suffocate as their lungs rupture in the vacuum afterwards. It's an incredibly unpleasant way to go.

I wouldn't have a problem using these on ISIS.

[Army Air Corps]

The TOS-1A fields rockets of considerably greater range (about 6km).

[gaijin]

Southern border vehicle...!!