"Pinocchio", "Hurricane", "Smerch", "Typhoon": multiple launch rocket system. Description and characteristics

2024 Author: Henry Conors | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-12 02:48

Due to the incessant clashes in different countries of the world, TV screens constantly broadcast news reports from one or another hot spot. And very often there are alarming reports of hostilities, during which various multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) are actively involved. It is difficult for a person who is in no way connected with the army or the military to navigate in a wide variety of all kinds of military equipment, so in this article we will tell a simple layman in detail about such death machines as:

• Heavy tank-based flamethrower system (TOS) - Pinocchio multiple launch rocket system (rarely used, but very effective weapon).
• Grad multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is a widely used weapon of mass destruction.
• Modernized and improved "sister" MLRS "Grad" - multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) "Tornado-G" (which the media andordinary people often call "Typhoon" because of the chassis used in the combat vehicle from the "Typhoon" truck).
• The Hurricane multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is a powerful weapon with a long range that can be used to destroy almost any target.
• Unparalleled in the world, a unique, awe-inspiring and total annihilation multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) "Smerch".

"Pinocchio" from an unkind fairy tale

In the relatively distant 1971, in the USSR, engineers from the "Design Bureau of Transport Engineering", located in Omsk, presented another masterpiece of military power. It was a heavy flamethrower system of volley fire "Pinocchio" (TOSZO). The creation and subsequent improvement of this flamethrower complex was kept under the heading "top secret". The development lasted 9 years, and in 1980 the combat complex, which is a kind of tandem of the T-72 tank and a launcher with 24 guides, was finally approved and delivered to the Armed Forces of the Soviet Army.

"Pinocchio": application

TOSZO "Pinocchio" is used for arson and significant damage:

• enemy vehicles (excluding armored vehicles);
• high-rise buildings and other construction sites;
• various defensive structures;
• manpower.

MLRS (TOS) "Pinocchio": description

As multiple launch rocket systems "Grad" and "Uragan", TOSZO "Pinocchio" was first used in the Afghan and the second Chechen wars. According to 2014 data, the military forces of Russia, Iraq, Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have such combat vehicles.

The "Pinocchio" salvo fire system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the CBT with a full set for combat is about 46 tons.
• The length of Pinocchio is 6.86 meters, the width is 3.46 meters, the height is 2.6 meters.
• The caliber of projectiles is 220 millimeters (22 cm).
• Firing using unguided rockets that cannot be controlled once fired.
• The longest shooting distance is 13.6 kilometers.
• The maximum area affected after firing one volley is 4 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 24 pieces.
• The aiming of the volley is carried out directly from the cockpit using a special fire control system, which consists of a laser rangefinder and a sight, a roll sensor and a ballistic computer.
• Shells for completing ROSZO after volleys are carried out by means of a transport-loading (TZM) machine model 9T234-2, with a crane and a loader.
• Pinocchio is run by 3 people.

As you can see from the characteristics, just one volley of "Pinocchio" can turn 4 hectares into a flaming hell. Impressive power, isn't it?

Precipitation in the form of "Hail"

In 1960, the USSR monopoly onproduction of multiple launch rocket systems and other weapons of mass destruction NPO "Splav" launched another secret project and began to develop a completely new at that time MLRS called "Grad". The introduction of adjustments lasted 3 years, and the MLRS entered the ranks of the Soviet Army in 1963, but its improvement did not stop there, it continued until 1988.

"Grad" application

Like the Uragan MLRS, the Grad multiple launch rocket system showed such good results in combat that, despite its "old age", it continues to be widely used to this day. "Hail" is used to deal a very impressive blow to:

• artillery batteries;
• any military equipment, including armored ones;
• manpower;
• command posts;
• military industrial facilities;
• anti-aircraft systems.

Besides the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, the Grad multiple launch rocket system is in service with almost all countries of the world, including almost all continents of the globe. The largest number of combat vehicles of this type is located in the USA, Hungary, Sudan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Vietnam, Bulgaria, Germany, Egypt, India, Kazakhstan, Iran, Cuba, Yemen. Ukraine's multiple launch rocket systems also contain 90 Grad units.

MLRS "Grad": description

Grad Multiple Launch Rocket Systemfeatures are as follows:

• The total weight of the Grad MLRS, ready for battle and equipped with all shells, is 13.7 tons.
• MLRS length - 7.35 meters, width - 2.4 meters, height - 3.09 meters.
• The caliber of shells is 122 millimeters (just over 12 cm).
• For firing, basic 122 mm rockets are used, as well as high-explosive fragmentation shells, chemical, incendiary and smoke warheads.
• The firing range of the Grad MLRS is from 4 to 42 kilometers.
• The maximum area of destruction after firing one volley is 14.5 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 40 pieces.
• One volley fired in just 20 seconds.
• Full reloading of Grad MLRS lasts about 7 minutes.
• The rocket system is brought into combat position in no more than 3.5 minutes.
• Reloading the MLRS is only possible using a transport-loading vehicle.
• The sight is implemented using the gun panorama.
• The Grad is controlled by 3 people.

"Grad" is a multiple launch rocket system, the characteristics of which in our time receive the highest score from the military. Throughout its existence, it has been used in the Afghan war, in the clashes between Azerbaijan and Nagorno-Karabakh, in both Chechen wars, during the military operations in Libya, South Ossetia and Syria, as well as in the civil war in Donbass (Ukraine), which broke out in 2014 year.

Attention! Tornado Approaching

"Tornado-G" (as mentioned above, this MLRS is sometimes mistakenly called "Typhoon", therefore both names are given here for convenience) - a multiple launch rocket system, which is a modernized version of the MLRS "Grad". The design engineers of the Splav plant worked on the creation of this powerful hybrid. Development began in 1990 and lasted 8 years. For the first time, the capabilities and power of the jet system were demonstrated in 1998 at a training ground near Orenburg, after which it was decided to further improve this MLRS. To get the final result, the developers over the next 5 years improved the "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon"). The volley fire system was enlisted in the arsenal of the Russian Federation in 2013. At the moment, this combat vehicle is only in service with the Russian Federation. "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon") - a multiple launch rocket system, which has no analogues anywhere.

"Tornado": application

MLRS used in combat to crush targets such as:

• artillery;
• all types of enemy vehicles;
• military and industrial facilities;
• anti-aircraft systems.

MLRS "Tornado-G" ("Typhoon"): description

"Tornado-G" ("Typhoon") is a multiple launch rocket system, which, due to the increased power of ammunition, greater range and built-in satellite guidance system, has surpassed its so-called "oldersister" - MLRS "Grad" - 3 times.

Features:

• The weight of the fully equipped MLRS is 15.1 tons.
• Tornado-G length - 7.35 meters, width - 2.4 meters, height - 3 meters.
• The caliber of shells is 122 millimeters (12.2 cm).
• The "Tornado-G" MLRS is universal in that, in addition to the basic shells from the "Grad" MLRS, it is possible to use new-generation ammunition with detachable HEATs filled with cluster explosive elements, as well as high-explosive fragmentation shells.
• The firing range under favorable landscape conditions reaches 100 kilometers.
• The maximum area that can be destroyed after firing one salvo is 14.5 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 40 pieces.
• Sight is carried out using several hydraulic actuators.
• One volley fired in 20 seconds.
• The deadly machine is ready to go within 6 minutes.
• Firing is carried out using a remote installation (RC) and a fully automated fire control system located in the cockpit.
• Crew - 2 people.

Fierce "Hurricane"

As it happened with most MLRS, the history of "Hurricane" began in the USSR, or rather, in 1957. The "fathers" of the MLRS "Hurricane" were Ganichev Alexander Nikitovich and Kalachnikov Yuri Nikolaevich. Moreover, the first designed the system itself, and the second developed a combat vehicle.

"Hurricane": application

RSZO "Hurricane" is designed to break targets such as:

• artillery batteries;
• any enemy equipment, including armored ones;
• live force;
• all kinds of building objects;
• anti-aircraft missile systems;
• tactical missiles.

MLRS "Hurricane": description

The first time "Hurricane" was used in the Afghan war. They say that the Mujahideen were afraid of this MLRS to the point of fainting and even gave it a formidable nickname - "shaitan-pipe".

Besides, the "Hurricane" multiple launch rocket system, the characteristics of which inspire respect among the soldiers, has been in clashes in South Africa. This is what prompted the military of the African continent to develop in the field of MLRS.

At the moment, this MLRS is in service with countries such as: Russia, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Czech Republic, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Belarus, Poland, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Yemen, Kyrgyzstan, Guinea, Syria, Tajikistan, Eritrea, Slovakia.

The "Hurricane" salvo fire system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the MLRS fully equipped and in combat readiness is 20 tons.
• The Hurricane is 9.63 meters long, 2.8 meters wide, and 3.225 meters high.
• The caliber of shells is 220 millimeters (22 cm). It is possible to use shells with a monolithic high-explosive warhead, with high-explosive fragmentationelements, with anti-tank and anti-personnel mines.
• Firing range is 8-35 kilometers.
• The maximum area affected after firing one volley is 29 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 16 pieces, the guides themselves can rotate 240 degrees.
• One volley fired in 30 seconds.
• A full reload of the Uragan MLRS lasts about 15 minutes.
• Combat vehicle goes into combat position in just 3 minutes.
• MLRS reloading is possible only when interacting with the TK-machine.
• Shooting is done either using a portable control panel, or directly from the cockpit.
• The crew is 6 people.

Like the Smerch multiple launch rocket system, the Uragan works in any military conditions, as well as when the enemy uses nuclear, bacteriological or chemical weapons. In addition, the complex is able to function at any time of the day, regardless of the season and temperature fluctuations. "Hurricane" is able to regularly participate in hostilities both in the cold (-40°C) and in sweltering heat (+50°C). The Uragan MLRS can be delivered to its destination by water, air or rail.

Deadly Tornado

The Smerch multiple launch rocket system, whose characteristics surpass all existing MLRS in the world, was created in 1986 and put into service with the USSR military forces in 1989. This mighty death machine to this day has no analogues in anyone of the countries of the world.

"Tornado": application

This MLRS is rarely used, mainly for total annihilation:

• artillery batteries of all types;
• absolutely any military equipment;
• manpower;
• communication centers and command posts;
• construction sites, including military and industrial;
• anti-aircraft systems.

MLRS "Smerch": description

MLRS "Smerch" is in the armed forces of Russia, Ukraine, UAE, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Turkmenistan, Georgia, Algeria, Venezuela, Peru, China, Georgia, Kuwait.

The Smerch salvo fire system has the following characteristics:

• The weight of the MLRS fully equipped and in combat position is 43.7 tons.
• Tornado length - 12.1 meters, width - 3.05 meters, height - 3.59 meters.
• The caliber of shells is impressive - 300 millimeters.
• For firing, cluster rockets are used with a built-in control system unit and an additional engine that corrects the direction of the charge on the way to the target. The purpose of shells can be different: from fragmentation to thermobaric.
• Smerch MLRS firing range - from 20 to 120 kilometers.
• The maximum area affected after firing one volley is 67.2 hectares.
• The number of charges and guides - 12 pieces.
• One volley fired in 38 seconds.
• Complete re-equipment of MLRS "Smerch" with shells lastsabout 20 minutes.
• Smerch is ready for combat exploits in a maximum of 3 minutes.
• MLRS reloading is carried out only when interacting with a TK-machine equipped with a crane and a charger.
• The crew is 3 people.

MLRS "Smerch" is an ideal weapon of mass destruction, capable of operating in almost any temperature conditions, day and night. In addition, the shells fired by the Smerch MLRS fall strictly vertically, thereby easily destroying the roofs of houses and armored vehicles. It is almost impossible to hide from the "Smerch", the MLRS burns out and destroys everything within its radius of action. Of course, this is not the power of a nuclear bomb, but still, whoever owns the Tornado owns the world. The idea of "world peace" is a dream. And as long as there are MLRS, unattainable…