TOS-1A Heavy Flame Thrower System is Subversive for Human Life: How Russian Systems Operate against Armenian Frontier Guards?
During the fighting on the Line of Contact of Nagorno Karabakh—Azerbaijan opposing forces, the Azerbaijani side attempted to apply TOS 1A heavy flame system, purchased from Russia in 2014. However, as Artsrun Hovhannisyan, RA MOD Press Speaker, informed, Armenian artillerists destroyed the systems. Vagif Dargyakhly, Spokesman of Azerbaijan’s Defense army, also confirmed, that it applied 11 TOS-1A heavy flame thrower systems against Armenian forces. It’s worth noting that, it has 18 units in its arsenal, which the country purchased from Russian Federation. In February the list of weaponry and military equipment sold to Armenia by USD 200 million loan was published, in which this system was included as well.
Note, TOS-1A “Solntsepyok” heavy flame thrower system is provided for fire support to infantry and tanks, to destroy manpower of the adversary, as well as to damage light armored vehicles and means of transportation. High accuracy of fire is provided towards the target on account of direct targeting, at a distance up to 6000m (400-6000m) through automate targeting. TOS-1A heavy flame thrower system includes: BM-1 fighting vehicle, T3M-T transport-charging vehicle with tank chassis and 220 mm set of rockets (NURS).
Surface of manpower destruction in open space and in case of open trenches, under maximal range comprises 40 000m2. Noteworthy is the fact, that according to some experts implications of this system may be unprecedented, as they leave deadly impact on human body, who were nearby during the shelling.
In this regard 168.am got details from Pavel Felgenhauer, Russian military analyst. According to him, it’s quite dangerous and heavy equipment both for the user and who appears on its target. In his conviction, there is no way out from TOS-1A, as the main card for this equipment is high temperature and striking wave, the cloud is comprised of a mixture and air, and during the blasting whole oxygen in the cloud enters into a reaction and an impact of a “vacuum bomb” is created, and after shelling the temperature quickly drops. According to military newspapers, even pressure may go down by 160 degrees, and if a person somewhat is alive after the blasting, drastic reduction of blood pressure leads to cruel death, as lungs rupture, eyes blow, and internal organs damage.
“Systems are provided for destroying manpower, firstly, in case of barricades, dugouts, shelters. It’s very productive in case of adversary attacking from a trench, i.e. it serves the purpose of splitting special defense and provided for cases, when artillery and other equipment are less productive, and there is no escape from TOS, not a single hiding place may provide security from TOS shelling, as this wave and high temperature destroy everything,” Felgenhauer said.
In his words, it’s been widely used recently.
“For the first time these systems were applied in Afghani war in 1980s, were actively used during the second Chechen war to take positions and regions, currently they are actively used in Syria with high efficiency. In other words, they are called “vacuum bombs,” however basically, it’s not a bomb, but a rocket, which flies not so far and rather slow, and as a result of shelling a mushroom-like cloud of atomic explosion is formed. This was applied in Latakia in September, recently Palkira was liberated due to this it’s possible to apply by separate rockets and simultaneously with a few of them, in 2000s in Chechnya 700 Chechen fighters were killed with this system. If there are civilians in nearby territory, then pursuant Article 3 of Geneva convention, it’s a rude violation and is subject to liability,” Felgenhauer added.
By Araks Martirosyan
