Tornado | |
---|---|
Type | Multiple rocket launcher |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
In service | 2014–present |
Wars | Syrian Civil War [ citation needed ] Russo-Ukrainian War |
Production history | |
Designer | Motovilikha Plants |
Designed | 2000s |
Manufacturer | NPO Splav [1] |
Produced | 2011–present |
No. built | More than 200 units in service |
Variants | 9A53-G Tornado, 9A53-S Tornado |
Specifications | |
Mass | 24.65 t |
Length | 11.2 m |
Width | 2.5 m |
Height | 3.15 m |
Crew | 2 |
Caliber | 122 mm/300 mm |
Barrels | 40/12,6 |
Maximum firing range | 200 km (300 mm 9M544 rocket) |
Main armament | 9M55 or 9M528 rockets |
Engine | KamAZ-740.50.360 diesel 360 hp |
Suspension | 8×8 wheeled |
Operational range | 1,000 km |
Maximum speed | 90 km/h |
The Tornado is a family of related multiple rocket launchers developed by NPO Splav for the Russian Ground Forces. [2] [1] Variants of the system, which include the Tornado-G and Tornado-S models, have different capabilities and different battlefield roles. [3] The Tornado is designed primarily to fire cluster munitions but also can be used to fire thermobaric warheads.
This section needs additional citations for verification .(March 2022) |
The 9A52-4 Tornado system is a lightweight rocket launcher. There are two other systems. A modular MLRS based on the MZKT-79306 truck, which can carry two BM-27 Uragan or BM-30 Smerch launcher modules, and one based on the Kamaz 6×6 truck. The "Tornado-G" system is an upgrade package for the existing BM-21 Grad. The Russian government ordered 36 new "Tornado-G" based on the Kamaz 6x6 chassis, instead of the old systems based on the Ural-4320 truck.
Systems in the Tornado family:[ citation needed ]
The Tornado-G system seen at right has four rows of 10 launch tubes. Each tube launches one 122mm projectile. [4] The Tornado-G model is aimed at replacing the BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher. Currently the sole operator is Russian Ground Forces. A version will be approved for export. [5]
Russian ground forces received about 30 Tornado-G systems in 2011, replacing the BM-21 Grad. [6]
Tornado-G received export permission in June 2018 and Tornado-S with 120 km range satellite-guided shells in August 2019. [5] [7] [8] The three upgraded 122 mm Grad high explosive (HE) with fragmentation (HE-Frag), and HE with high-explosive anti-tank (HE/HEAT) rocket variants for the Tornado-G multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) codenamed 9M538, 9M539, and 9M541 have a significant increase in firepower, but with less range. [9] BM-21 Grad systems are being upgraded to the level of new-generation Tornado-G systems.[ citation needed ]
The Tornado-G entered series production in 2013. [10] The system entered service with the Russian armed forces in 2014. [11]
The improved Tornado-S 9K515 MLRS, which delivers up to 12 missiles of 300mm diameter, was upgraded with the special GLONASS satellite navigation system used in the BM-30 Smerch missile system. The Tornado-S has guided rocket rounds with a range of 72 miles (120 km). The Tornado-S has a longer range and increased effectiveness, due to the use of new warhead payloads and a reduced launch readiness time of just three minutes. [12] [13]
The Tornado-S was approved for service in July–August 2016 and started its serial deliveries. [14] [15] 20 Tornado-S vehicles ordered in summer 2019. [16] A new order was made in August 2020. [17] [18] More missiles ordered in August 2022 and again in August 2023. [19] [20]
Russian forces used Tornado-S during the War in Donbass and the 2022 invasion in Ukraine. [21] [22] [23] [24] [25]
Janes describes the 9A52-4 Tornado as a lighter variant of the Tornado-S launcher. [24] The 300 mm multiple rocket launcher was first unveiled in 2007 as a more strategically and tactically mobile launcher, albeit at the expense of a slight reduction in firepower.
The 9A52-4 Tornado system is based on the chassis of the KamAZ-63501 8×8 military truck, which provides good tactical mobility. It is equipped with a single container with six launcher tubes for 300-mm rockets, which can fire all current Smerch rockets, including HE-FRAG, incendiary, thermobaric, cluster with anti-personnel or anti-tank mines. Cluster rounds may also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions.
The 800 kg standard rocket has a maximum range of 90 km. A range and direction correction system provides better accuracy compared to its predecessors. The 9A52-4 can launch rockets singularly, by a partial ripple or by a full salvo, which can cover an area of 32 hectares. A full salvo can be fired within 20 seconds. The 9A52-4 launching vehicle can be reloaded within 8 minutes.
Launcher pods are designed for use with 122 mm and 220 mm rockets. The weapons system is equipped with an automated laying and fire control system, along with an autonomous satellite navigation and positioning system. Positioning and firing data are exchanged between the launch vehicle and the command vehicle.
Tornado-S 300 mm
Variant | Rocket | Warhead | Self-destruct time | Range | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Type | Mass | Weight | Length | Weight | Submunition | Min. | Max. | |
9M55K [26] | Cluster munition, anti-personnel | 1934 kg | 800 kg | 7.6 m | 243 kg | 72 × 1.75 kg, each with 96 fragments (4.5 g each) | 110 s | 20 km | 70 km |
9M55K1 [27] | Cluster munition, self-guided anti-tank | 5 × 15 kg (70 mm RHA armor-piercing) | |||||||
9M55K4 [28] | Cluster munition, AT minelets. | 25 × 4.85 kg mines | 16-24 hour | ||||||
9M55K5 [29] | Cluster munition, HEAT/HE-fragmentation | 646 × 0.25 kg (120 mm RHA armor-piercing) | 130-260 s | 25 km | |||||
9M55K6 [30] | Projectile with self-aiming Armor penetration submunitions. | 5 × 17.3 kg | |||||||
9M55F | separable HE-Fragmentation | 258 kg | |||||||
9M55S | Thermobaric | 243 kg | |||||||
9M525 [31] | Cluster munition, anti-personnel | 1964 kg | 815 kg | 243 kg | 72 × 1.75 kg | 110 s | 90 km | ||
9M526 [32] | Cluster munition, self-guided anti-tank | 5 × 15 kg (70 mm RHA armor-piercing) | |||||||
9M527 [33] | Cluster munition, AT minelets | 25 × 4.85 kg mines | 16-24 hour | ||||||
9M528 [34] | Cluster munition, HEAT/HE-Fragmentation | 95 kg 800 fragments (50 g each) | |||||||
9M529 [35] | Thermobaric | Thermal field lifetime 1440 ms | 110-160 s | ||||||
9M530 [36] | Penetrating HE | 75 kg, (Volume of ejected soil 160 m3) | |||||||
9M531 [37] | Cumulative fragmentation | 616 × 0.24 kg (120 mm RHA armor-piercing) | 130-260 s | ||||||
9M532 [38] | Self-aiming submunitions, armored vehicles and tanks | 20 × 6.7 kg (70 mm RHA armor-piercing) | |||||||
9M533 [39] | Self-aiming submunitions, groups of armored vehicles and tanks | 5 × 17.25 kg (120 mm RHA armor-piercing) | |||||||
9М542 [40] [41] | Satellite-guided (GLONASS), [42] HE-Fragmentation | 820 kg | 250 kg | 70kg, 500 fragments (50g each) [43] | 40 km | 120 km |
A new longer range (possibly 200 km) high precision missile 9M544 for the Tornado-S system with cumulative-fragmentation munitions was tested in 2020. [44] [45]
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