Within the framework of a presentation of material from the Russian Land Forces, the attention of the public present was drawn to the exhibition of the new version of the TOS-3 heavy flamethrower system Dragon. The new variant of the feared Russian multiple rocket artillery system presents a new more compact rocket launch system based on photographs viralized on social networks. Although there is no further official data, various Open Source Information (OSINT) specialists have provided some preliminary characteristics of the new MRLS capable of using thermobaric rockets.
Officially designated as “heavy flamethrower system“The TOS family represents one of the most powerful multiple rocket artillery systems in the inventory of the Russian Ground Forces. Taking advantage of the T-72 tank chassis, these become the displacement platform for the launch system of various types of rockets. The most famous and used for propaganda purposes due to their devastating effects on the battlefield are the 220mm thermobaric rockets. Over the last few years we have seen how these MRLS have been refined in terms of design and capabilities, such as being used on new platforms such as trucks.
For a brief description, the TOS-1 Buratino and TOS-1A Solntsepek They used BM-1 vehicles (based on the chassis of a T-72 tank) as a travel platform. Incorporated into the Red Army at the end of the 1980s, and inherited by the Land Forces, each new version has incorporated improvements, while a reduction in rocket launch capacity has been noted. In more detail, the original TOS-1 had a 30-cell rocket launcher, while the TOS-1A introduced in the early 2000s featured a 24-cell rocket launcher; the latest version, called TOS-2 Tosochka, which changes its movement platform for a Ural-63704-0010 6×6 truck, has an 18-rocket launcher. In turn, a hallmark of the MRLS family is that they can all use the same types of rockets.
Focusing on the new version, called TOS-3 Dragon, this new variant again changes its movement platform, appreciating the presence of the chassis of a T-90 tank. It is also observed that the trend continues to reduce the launch capacity of the system, which now has 15 220mm rockets. The commitment made by the Land Forces seems to be to reduce the number of shots in pursuit of greater precision and range, which, according to OSINT sources, would reach 15 kilometers in distance.
Another feature, also appreciated in the TOS-2, is the incorporation into the rocket launch system of one of the anti-drone cages, which have become mandatory equipment for armored and artillery vehicles arising from the experiences of the conflict. Russian-Ukrainian, and observed even in the conflict between HAMAS and Israel in the Merkava tanks. Also appreciated is the presence of additional supports that join the launch system with the T-90 chassis, seeking to address balance issues that have been appreciated since the introduction of the original TOS.
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