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Multiple rocket launcher becomes Russia's most feared weapon. Meet Russia's vacuum bomb that breaks new ground in technological power.
The TOS-1, Russia's most feared multiple rocket launcher, is a weapon that combines extreme firepower and advanced technology. Developed in the 80s, this Russian vacuum bomb was designed to maximize destruction in modern conflicts, using thermobaric munitions capable of causing devastating damage. In this article, we will go into detail about this Russian weapon that has several unique features.
How did Russia's rocket launcher come about?
This Russian vacuum bomb, mounted on the chassis of the T-72 tank, is widely recognized for its efficiency in saturating enemy areas with explosive power in a matter of seconds. With origins dating back to the legendary Katyuscia launchers of World War II, Russia’s multiple rocket launcher represents the evolution of the country’s military strategy.
More than just a rocket launcher, it is a key component in contemporary conflicts, redefining the use of artillery on the global battlefield. The history of multiple launchers began in World War II, when the Soviets introduced the famous Katiuscia.
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In the 1980s, Russia’s TOS-1 weapon was developed to take the concept of multiple rocket launchers to a new level. Based on the chassis of the T-72 tank, one of the most widely produced armored vehicles in history, the rocket launcher was designed to be robust, mobile and extremely lethal.
Weighing around 45 tons, Russia’s vacuum bomb is equipped with a launch module capable of firing up to 24 rockets loaded with thermobaric ammunition in less than 15 seconds. These rockets have a maximum range of 10 km, giving operators the ability to strike targets at long range with devastating accuracy.
Differences of Russian vacuum pump
What makes the multiple rocket launcher especially feared is its use of thermobaric munitions, also called “vacuum bombs.” Different from traditional explosives, where only 25% of the composition is fuel, these ammunitions are composed 100% of explosive material, using the environment to amplify the shock wave.
This creates a momentary vacuum and a high-intensity explosion, capable of causing severe damage even outside the lethal radius. Organs such as the lungs, brain and eyes can be seriously affected by the brutal pressure difference, causing irreversible injuries.
The combination of high rate of fire, ease of operation and lethality of ammunition make the TOS-1 rocket launcher technology an unbeatable Russian weapon in area operations, being widely used in different theaters of war.
Uses of the multiple rocket launcher
Since its creation, Russia's vacuum bomb has been used in numerous military operations around the world, proving its effectiveness in a variety of combat scenarios. During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 80s, Russia's weapon was used to destroy fortified positions and disperse enemy fighters.
Later, the rocket launcher was used in Chechen wars, in 1994 and 1999, where it played a strategic role in the fight against insurgents. However, the system was also used by the Islamic State in the clashes in Iraq in 2014, and has been employed by the Russians in the Syrian civil war since 2014.
Another notable example was the Nagorno-Karabakh war in late 2020, when Azerbaijan used the TOS-1 against Armenian forces. More recently, the system has been widely used in the invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022, further cementing its reputation as one of the most feared weapons on the battlefield.
In the text, fight against insurgents, editor, are you doing propaganda for Russia?