Artillery

TOS-1A Solntsepyok

Also known as
  • TOS-1A
  • Solntsepyok
  • Solntsepek
  • TOS-1A Solntsepek
  • TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system
  • TOS-1A heavy flame-thrower
  • Heavy flamethrower system Solntsepyok

The TOS-1A Solntsepyok is a Russian tracked heavy flamethrower system that functions as a short-range thermobaric multiple rocket launcher. Built around a BM-1 launcher on a tank chassis with transporter-loaders, it fires unguided 220 mm rockets to support infantry and armor against fortified positions, vehicles, and troops in cover. In the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War it has been documented in Russian service near the front line, where its short range creates both destructive local effects and high vulnerability to Ukrainian targeting.

TOS-1A Solntsepyok, 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launcher, Artillery
Image source: TOS-1A ParkPatriot at Army-2016.jpg

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Russia
Type
220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launcher
Service note
2000s-present
Designer
Omsk Transport Machine-Building Design Bureau
Designed
Late Soviet development; TOS-1A modernization entered service in the early 2000s
Unit cost
Not publicly standardized
Produced
2000s-present
Number built
Not publicly confirmed

Specifications

Launcher
BM-1 tracked launch vehicle with 24 220 mm rocket tubes
Ammunition
Unguided incendiary and thermobaric rockets
Firing range
Rosoboronexport lists a 400-600 m minimum and 6,000 m maximum; NDU lists 600-6,000 m with MO.1.01.04 / MO.1.01.04M rockets
Combat weight
About 44.3 t for the BM-1 combat vehicle
Crew
Public references differ: Rosoboronexport lists 2 PAX for the BM-1, while NDU lists crew 3 for the system
Fire control
Periscope laser aimer-rangefinder, special computer with sensors, powered electrohydraulic actuators, and firing equipment
Mobility
Up to 60-65 km/h road speed; about 550 km cruising range
Support vehicles
Two transporter-loaders on TZM-T tracked or TZM (563K) 8x8 wheeled chassis, each carrying 24 projectiles
System Architecture

The TOS-1A page represents a launcher system rather than a single tube or rocket. Public export and reference sources describe a BM-1 launch vehicle, transporter-loaders, and unguided 220 mm rockets packaged for short-range assault fires.

ElementFunctionReader context
BM-1 launcher vehicleTracked combat vehicle with 24 launch tubes for 220 mm rockets.This is the visible firing vehicle most often shown in images and conflict reporting; Rosoboronexport also lists a periscope laser aimer-rangefinder, special computer, sensors, electrohydraulic actuators, and firing equipment.
TZM-T / TZM (563K)Tracked or wheeled transporter-loader options carrying 24 projectiles.The reload vehicle has a projectile cradle, hydraulically powered articulated crane, removable ammunition-load armor, and loading equipment, explaining why the system appears as a battery package rather than a single isolated vehicle.
220 mm rocket loadUnguided incendiary and thermobaric rockets fired at short range.The rocket load drives the system's battlefield role against fortified positions, troops in cover, vehicles, and exposed personnel.
TOS-2 Tosochka, Wheeled 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launcher, ArtilleryTOS-2 TosochkaLater wheeled family member with a different launcher architecture.TOS-2 is linked as the public catalog successor, not as a carried munition or external launch platform.

Sources: TOS-1A Heavy Flame-Thrower; Heavy flamethrower multiple rocket launcher system Solntsepyok; Russian military use newest TOS-2 heavy flamethrower for the first time.

Variants

TOS-1A is best read as a complete heavy-flamethrower system: the BM-1 launch vehicle, its transporter-loaders, and the 220 mm rocket load form the fielded package. The later TOS-2 Tosochka keeps the family mission but moves it to a wheeled launcher with updated handling and fire-control equipment.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
TOS-1 / Object 63430-guide tracked predecessor

The earlier TOS-1/Object 634 family used a T-72 tank chassis with 30 launch guides and a separate KrAZ-255B-based charging vehicle; the TOS-1A page keeps that predecessor context separate from the 24-tube BM-1 launcher.

Sources: Heavy flamethrower multiple rocket launcher system Solntsepyok

BM-1 launcher vehicleTracked 24-tube launch vehicle

Rosoboronexport describes the BM-1 as the TOS-1A combat vehicle with 24 launch tubes for 220 mm thermobaric and smoke-incendiary rockets.

Sources: TOS-1A Heavy Flame-Thrower

TZM-T transporter-loaderTracked reload and transport vehicle

The published system description lists transporter-loaders alongside the BM-1 launcher, reflecting the reload vehicle role in the TOS-1A battery package.

Sources: TOS-1A Heavy Flame-Thrower, Heavy flamethrower multiple rocket launcher system Solntsepyok

TOS-2 Tosochka, Wheeled 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launcher, ArtilleryTOS-2 TosochkaWheeled successor in the TOS family

TASS described TOS-2 as a successor to TOS-1A with increased capabilities and range, while the existing catalog record documents its wheeled chassis and integrated loading crane.

Sources: Russian military use newest TOS-2 heavy flamethrower for the first time

Timeline

TOS-1A Solntsepyok Key Events

  1. Solntsepyok service entry listed

    The National Defence University of Ukraine reference entry lists the Solntsepyok heavy flamethrower multiple rocket launcher system as in service from 2001.

    Sources: Heavy flamethrower multiple rocket launcher system Solntsepyok

  2. Kavkaz-2020 exercise use reported

    TASS reported that a Southern Military District flamethrower battalion used nine TOS-1A Solntsepyok systems with thermobaric and smoke-incendiary rockets during the Kavkaz-2020 strategic exercise.

    Sources: Russian military use newest TOS-2 heavy flamethrower for the first time

  3. Captured-system use noted near Kreminna

    U.S. Army OE reporting on thermobaric weapons in Ukraine noted Ukrainian use of at least one captured TOS-1A near Kreminna, showing the system on both sides of the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.

    Sources: Russia's Thermobaric Weapons Employment in the Ukrainian Conflict

  4. Protected production batch reported

    TASS reported that Uralvagonzavod, under Rostec, delivered a batch of TOS-1A Solntsepyok systems with new protection to Russian servicemen after running tests.

    Sources: Uralvagonzavod delivers Solntsepyok systems with new protection to troops - Rostec

Media

TOS-1A Solntsepyok Videos

TOS-1A Solntsepyok Images

TOS-1A Solntsepyok, 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launcher, Artillery - view 1
Source: NBCProtectionExercise2019-22.jpg
Related Weapon Systems
TOS-2 Tosochka, Wheeled 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launcher, ArtilleryArtilleryTOS-2 TosochkaWheeled 220 mm thermobaric multiple rocket launcherThe TOS-2 Tosochka is Russia's wheeled successor to the tracked TOS-1A heavy flamethrower system, using 220 mm thermobaric and incendiary rockets from an 18-tube launcher on a Ural 6x6 truck. Public Russian and U.S. Army reporting emphasizes the integrated crane, automated fire-control equipment, and wheeled chassis as the main mobility and reload changes, while conflict reporting has documented Russian TOS-2 employment and later Ukrainian strikes against the rare system during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War.
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Sources

TOS-1A Heavy Flame-ThrowerPublisher: Rosoboronexport | Note: Official export product page describing the TOS-1A role, BM-1 launcher architecture, two transporter-loaders, TZM-T/TZM (563K) loader options, BM-1 fire-control equipment, launch-tube and reload-projectile counts, weight, speed, range, and area-effect figures. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Heavy flamethrower multiple rocket launcher system SolntsepyokPublisher: National Defence University of Ukraine | Note: Reference entry listing manufacturer, 2001 service entry, caliber, MO.1.01.04/MO.1.01.04M rocket count, firing range, weight, engine power, mobility, crew, and TOS-1 predecessor background for the Solntsepyok system. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Joint-Stock Company Omsk Transport Machine FactoryPublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Identifies Omsktransmash as a producer of the TOS-1A Solntsepyok and places it within Uralvagonzavod and Rostec. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Russia's Thermobaric Weapons Employment in the Ukrainian ConflictPublisher: U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Operational Environment Enterprise | Note: Supports 2014 Russia-Ukraine War direct conflict use: TOS-1A launchers used by Russian forces against fixed positions and urban defensive terrain, with Ukrainian forces also reported to have used a captured system near Kreminna. | Accessed: 2026-07-06TOS-1 - Putins Stalin-Orgel zerstoert eine Festung der RebellenPublisher: Stern | Note: Supports 2011 Syrian Civil War direct conflict use: TOS-1 launchers fielded by pro-government forces in Syria and used against fortified rebel positions near Latakia. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Iraqi forces fight their way into the narrow streets of Mosul's historic centerPublisher: The Washington Post | Note: Supports 2013 War in Iraq direct conflict use: TOS-1 rockets fired by Iraqi government forces during the Mosul Old City assault against Islamic State positions. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Azerbaijan fires TOS-1A systems from inside a villagePublisher: PanARMENIAN.Net | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict direct conflict use: TOS-1A heavy artillery systems fired by Azerbaijani forces at Armenian troops in Nagorno-Karabakh, according to Armenian Defense Ministry footage cited by the report. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Tactical Reasons Behind Military Breakthrough in Karabakh ConflictPublisher: The Jamestown Foundation | Note: Supports 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict direct conflict use: TOS-1 flamethrower MLRSs used by Azerbaijani forces according to an Armenian Defense Ministry accusation that the report says Baku denied. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Russian military use newest TOS-2 heavy flamethrower for the first timePublisher: TASS | Note: Supports TOS family and timeline context: TOS-1A Solntsepyok exercise use during Kavkaz-2020 and TOS-2 described as the successor to TOS-1A with increased capabilities and range. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Uralvagonzavod delivers Solntsepyok systems with new protection to troops - RostecPublisher: TASS | Note: Supports production, modernization, and specification context: Uralvagonzavod delivered a TOS-1A Solntsepyok batch with new protection after tests, and the report describes the T-72 chassis basis, range class, and full-volley area-effect claim. | Accessed: 2026-07-06TOS-1A ParkPatriot at Army-2016.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Primary image source for a BM-1 TOS-1A Solntsepyok display vehicle, licensed CC BY-SA 3.0 by the uploader. | Accessed: 2026-07-06NBCProtectionExercise2019-22.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Gallery image source for a TOS-1A during Russian NBC-protection troop firing, listed as CC BY 4.0 with Mil.ru attribution. | Accessed: 2026-07-06