Tornado (multiple rocket launcher)

Last updated

Tornado
9A52-4 Smerch combat vehicle at Engineering Technologies 2012 01.jpg
9A52-4 Smerch combat vehicle at Engineering Technologies 2012
Type Multiple rocket launcher
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2014–present
Wars Syrian Civil War [ citation needed ]
Russo-Ukrainian War
Production history
Designer Motovilikha Plants
Designed2000s
Manufacturer NPO Splav [1]
Produced2011–present
No. builtMore than 200 units in service
Variants9A53-G Tornado, 9A53-S Tornado
Specifications
Mass24.65 t
Length11.2 m
Width2.5 m
Height3.15 m
Crew2

Caliber 122 mm/300 mm
Barrels40/12,6
Maximum firing range200 km (300 mm 9M544 rocket)

Main
armament
9M55 or 9M528 rockets
EngineKamAZ-740.50.360 diesel
360 hp
Suspension8×8 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.

Contents

Variants

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 ]

Tornado-G

A 9K51M Tornado-G Combat vehicle 2B17-1 from 9K51M Tornado-G MLRS - TankBiathlon14part2-47.jpg
A 9K51M Tornado-G

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]

Tornado-S

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]

9A52-4

A 9A52-4 launcher vehicle (right) and 9T234-4 reloading vehicle (left), Perm, RussianExpoArms, 2009. 9A52-4 Tornado REA 2009.jpg
A 9A52-4 launcher vehicle (right) and 9T234-4 reloading vehicle (left), Perm, RussianExpoArms, 2009.

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.

General characteristics

9A52-4 Tornado

Rocket projectiles

Tornado-S 300 mm

VariantRocketWarheadSelf-destruct timeRange
NameTypeMassWeightLengthWeightSubmunitionMin.Max.
9M55K [26] Cluster munition, anti-personnel1934 kg800 kg7.6 m243 kg72 × 1.75 kg, each with 96 fragments (4.5g each)110 s20km70km
9M55K1 [27] Cluster munition, self-guided anti-tank5 × 15 kg (70 mm RHA armor-piercing)
9M55K4 [28] Cluster munition, AT minelets.25 × 4.85 kg mines16-24 hour
9M55K5 [29] Cluster munition, HEAT/HE-fragmentation 646 × 0.25 kg (120 mm RHA armor-piercing)130-260 s25km
9M55K6 [30] Projectile with self-aiming Armor penetration submunitions.5 × 17.3 kg
9M55Fseparable HE-Fragmentation258 kg
9M55S Thermobaric 243 kg
9M525 [31] Cluster munition, anti-personnel1964 kg815 kg243 kg72 × 1.75 kg110 s90km
9M526 [32] Cluster munition, self-guided anti-tank5 × 15 kg (70 mm RHA armor-piercing)
9M527 [33] Cluster munition, AT minelets25 × 4.85 kg mines16-24 hour
9M528 [34] Cluster munition, HEAT/HE-Fragmentation95 kg 800 fragments (50g each)
9M529 [35] ThermobaricThermal field lifetime 1440 ms110-160 s
9M530 [36] Penetrating HE75 kg, (Volume of ejected soil 160 m3)
9M531 [37] Cumulative fragmentation616 × 0.24 kg (120 mm RHA armor-piercing)130-260 s
9M532 [38] Self-aiming submunitions, armored vehicles and tanks20 × 6.7 kg (70 mm RHA armor-piercing)
9M533 [39] Self-aiming submunitions, groups of armored vehicles and tanks5 × 17.25 kg (120 mm RHA armor-piercing)
9М542 [40] [41] Satellite-guided (GLONASS), [42] HE-Fragmentation820 kg250 kg70kg, 500 fragments (50g each) [43] 40km120km

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]

Operators

Tornado-G

Tornado-S

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Russian Airborne Forces</span> Separate-troops branch of the Russian Armed Forces

The Russian Airborne Forces is the airborne forces branch of the Russian Armed Forces. It was formed in 1992 from units of the Soviet Airborne Forces that came under Russian control following the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

A tornado is a violent rotating column of air that touches the surface of the Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S-8 (rocket)</span> Soviet/Russian air-launched military rocket

The S-8 is a rocket weapon developed by the Soviet Air Force for use by military aircraft. It remains in service with the Russian Aerospace Forces and various export customers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BM-27 Uragan</span> Soviet multiple launch rocket system

The BM-27 Uragan is a self-propelled 220 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union to deliver cluster munitions. The system began its service with the Soviet Army in the late 1970s, and was its first spin and fin stabilized heavy multiple rocket launcher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BM-21 Grad</span> Soviet/Russian multiple launch rocket system

The BM-21 "Grad" is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first combat use in March 1969 during the Sino-Soviet border conflict. BM stands for boyevaya mashina, and the nickname grad means "hail". The complete system with the BM-21 launch vehicle and the M-21OF rocket is designated as the M-21 field-rocket system and is more commonly known as a Grad multiple rocket launcher system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Main Missile and Artillery Directorate</span> Department of the Russian Ministry of Defence

The Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, commonly referred to by its transliterated Russian acronym GRAU (ГРАУ), is a department of the Russian Ministry of Defense. It is subordinate to the Chief of Armament and Munition of the Russian Armed Forces, a vice-minister of defense.

BM-30<i> Smerch</i> Soviet/Russian multiple launch rocket system

The BM-30 Smerch, 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavy self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union to fire a full load of 12 solid-fuelled projectiles. The system is intended to defeat personnel, armored, and soft targets in concentration areas, artillery batteries, command posts and ammunition depots. It was designed in the early 1980s and entered service in the Soviet Army in 1989. When first observed by the West in 1983, it received the code MRL 280mm M1983. It continues in use by Russia; a program to replace it with the 9A52-4 Tornado began in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TOS-1</span> Russian multiple thermobaric rocket launcher

TOS-1 Buratino is a Soviet 220 mm 30-barrel or 24-barrel multiple rocket launcher capable of using thermobaric warheads, mounted on a T-72 / T-90 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed to attack enemy fortified positions and lightly armored vehicles and transports, particularly in open terrain. The system’s first combat tests took place in 1988 and 1989 in the Panjshir Valley during the Soviet–Afghan War. The TOS-1 was shown for the first time in public in 1999 in Omsk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Motovilikha Plants</span> Russian metallurgical and military equipment manufacturer

PJSC Motovilikha Plants / Motovilikhinskiye Zavody PAO is a Russian metallurgical and military equipment manufacturer. In 2016 Motovilikha Plants joined NPO Splav, a Rostec company. It is named after the former town of Motovilikha, where it's located, which in 1938 was amalgamated into the city of Perm. The town in turn was named after the eponymous river, a small Kama tributary.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rocket Forces and Artillery (Ukraine)</span> Military unit

The Rocket Forces and Artillery of the Ukrainian Ground Forces consist of units armed with tactical missiles, howitzers, cannons, mortars, jet-propelled and anti-tank artillery. They are tasked to destroy human resources, tanks, artillery, anti-tank weapons, aircraft, air defense and other important installations operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kamaz Typhoon</span> Light tactical military vehicle

KamAZ Typhoon is a family of Russian multi-functional, modular, armored Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles manufactured by the Russian truck builder KAMAZ. The Typhoon family is part of Russia's Typhoon program. As of 2021, the number of Typhoons in the Russian Armed Forces fleet was about 330 units of Typhoon-K.

The KN-09 (K-SS-X-9) is a North Korean 300 mm rocket artillery system of a launcher unit comprising eight rockets packaged in two four-rocket pods.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NPO Splav</span>

NPO Splav is one of the leading global developers and manufacturers of multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS), and one of the key companies providing Russian arms for the global market in the segment. It is the only company in Russia which designs and develops multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) and cartridges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polonez (multiple rocket launcher)</span> Belarusian rocket artillery system

The Polonez is a Belarusian 300 mm rocket artillery system of a launcher unit comprising eight rockets packaged in two four-rocket pods mounted on a MZKT-7930 vehicle. In 2018, it was exported to Azerbaijan. The system was designed by the Belarusian Plant of Precision Electromechanics in cooperation with a foreign country, probably China. The first combat missile launches were carried out in China. The 77th Separate Rocket Artillery Battalion of the 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade of the Belarusian Ground Forces is equipped with it. An upgraded version called Polonez-M passed all trials and has been accepted into service by the Belarusian Ground Forces as of May 2019. Polonez-M has an increased range of 290 km, a higher share of domestic components and can fire the improved A-300 missile. The first delivery was conducted in November 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">19th Missile Brigade (Ukraine)</span> Ukrainian Ground Forces unit

The 19th Missile Brigade "Saint Barbara" is an artillery formation of the Ukrainian Ground Forces, based in Khmelnytskyi. The brigade is directly subordinated to the Ground Forces Command.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">336th Rocket Artillery Brigade</span> Military unit

The 336th Rocket Artillery Brigade is a rocket artillery brigade of the Belarusian Ground Forces. The only rocket artillery brigade of the Armed Forces of Belarus, the brigade is armed with BM-30 Smerch multiple rocket launcher system inherited from the Soviet Union with one battalion equipped with the domestically produced Polonez multiple rocket launcher. Based at the Yuzhny military base near Osipovichi, the brigade reports directly to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Belarus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">TOS-2</span> Russian multiple thermobaric rocket launcher

The TOS-2 (Tosochka) is a Russian multiple rocket launcher capable of using thermobaric warheads, mounted on a 3-axle truck chassis. TOS-2 was designed to attack enemy fortified positions and lightly armoured vehicles and transports, in open terrain in particular.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9К512 Uragan-1M</span> Multiple rocket launcher

The 9K512 "Uragan-1M" is a Russian multicaliber multiple rocket launcher with the ability to swap launch containers.

The 79th Guards Rocket Artillery Brigade, Military Unit Number 53956, is an artillery formation of the Russian Ground Forces. It is stationed in Tver. As of 2014 the unit held approximately 300 men mostly from Tver Oblast and other neighboring oblasts. This unit holds the Russian MRL "Smerch", and in 2014 the unit was meant to get the successor to the "Smerch" the "Tornado" which is more precise then it's predecessor thanks to satellite technology as well as having a range of 1000km. In September 2014 evidence showed that the brigade may have moved closer to the Ukrainian border at Millerovo Airfield in Rostov Oblast.

References

  1. 1 2 "Николай Макаровец: санкции на предприятии не отразились". Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  2. "Russian Defence Ministry to continue procuring newest Tornado-S and Tornado-G MLRS". Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  3. "KAMAZ Tornado-G". MilitaryFactory.com. Retrieved 28 August 2022.
  4. "Tornado-G 122mm MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System data". www.armyrecognition.com. 26 April 2023. Archived from the original on 12 March 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Rostec launched Tornado-G on the international market". Archived from the original on 6 July 2018. Retrieved 6 July 2018.
  6. "ЦАМТО, Новости, В 2011 году в Сухопутные войска в рамках гособоронзаказа поступило более 30 РСЗО «Торнадо-Г"". www.armstrade.org.
  7. "Russia to offer upgraded multiple launch rocket system to Western customers". TASS.
  8. "Russian hi-tech firm to export latest multiple launch rocket system with smart shells".
  9. "Splav details Tornado-G rockets". Jane's 360. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018.
  10. "НПО "Сплав" начало серийное производство системы "Торнадо-Г"". РИА Новости. 24 December 2013. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  11. "Гендиректор НПО "Сплав": реактивный "Град" прослужит еще 10-15 лет". РИА Новости. 19 November 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2014.
  12. "Tornado-S 9K515 MLRS 300mm". www.armyrecognition.com. 23 December 2022. Archived from the original on 29 December 2022. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  13. "Advanced Tornado-S rocket launchers to replace Smerch systems in Russian troops by 2027". TASS. 18 November 2020.
  14. "Russian army to get Tornado-S multiple rocket launchers in 2017". TASS.
  15. ""Мотовилихинские заводы» отправили заказчику первую партию машин из состава комплекса РСЗО "Торнадо-С" - Мотовилиха". mz.perm.ru.
  16. ""Мотовилихинские заводы" загрузят залпом". 24 September 2019.
  17. "ЦАМТО / Новости / Минобороны России и Ростех подписали на «Армии-2020» соглашения на сумму более 300 млрд. рублей".
  18. "ЦАМТО / Новости / НПО "СПЛАВ" поставит в войска изделия на сумму около 30 млрд. рублей".
  19. "ЦАМТО / Главное / На форуме «Армия-2022» подписаны 7 и вручены 29 госконтрактов с 26 предприятиями ОПК". Armstrade.org. Retrieved 29 August 2022.
  20. "Russian Defense Ministry awards $4.15 BLN worth contracts to defense industry companies".
  21. "Minsk agreement" (PDF). peacemaker.un.org.
  22. "Minsk agreement on Ukraine crisis: text in full". 12 February 2015 via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  23. @mhrinin (1 March 2022). "Reposting the message from General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine about today events in Kharkiv (full text):…" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  24. 1 2 "Ukraine conflict: Russian forces employ guided rockets". Janes Information Services . 11 March 2022. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022.
  25. "Tornado-S MLRS achieves 100% accuracy with advanced munitions — Defense Ministry".
  26. "9M55K". Rosoboronexport (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  27. "9M55K1" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  28. "9M55K4" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  29. "9M55K5" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  30. "9M55K6" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  31. "9M525" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  32. "9M526" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  33. "9M527" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  34. "9M528" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  35. "9M529" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  36. "9M530" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  37. "9M531" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  38. "9M532" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  39. "9M533" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 26 November 2022.
  40. "Корректируемый реактивный снаряд 9М542 - Ракетная техника". rbase.new-factoria.ru.
  41. "РСЗО "Торнадо-С" пойдет в серию в 2017 году". Archived from the original on 25 September 2016. Retrieved 24 September 2016.
  42. tvzvezda.ru, Редакция (17 April 2016). "Чудовищный "Торнадо" после "Смерча": российские РСЗО способны превратить 67 Га в пустыню". Телеканал «Звезда».
  43. "9М542" (in Russian). Archived from the original on 22 September 2022.
  44. "Russian Tornado-S MLRS fires new missile | Defense News September 2020 Global Security army industry | Defense Security global news industry army 2020 | Archive News year". www.armyrecognition.com. 4 September 2020.
  45. Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : "Высокоточный реактивный снаряд для "Торнадо-С" показали на форуме "Армия-2020"". YouTube . 26 August 2020.
  46. 1 2 The Military Balance 2022. Routledge. 14 February 2022. p. 906. ISBN   978-1-000-62003-0.
  47. "ЦАМТО / / «Мотовилиха» отправила в войска партию РСЗО «Торнадо-Г» и «Торнадо-С»". armstrade.org.
  48. "Гвардейское реактивное артиллерийское соединение ЦВО получило партию РСЗО " Торнадо-С "". «Арсенал» - Энциклопедия военной техники (in Russian). Retrieved 19 February 2024.