n 2001, the improved TOS-1A system entered service. The improved system's range has been extended to 6 kilometers and its ballistic computer has been upgraded.
The nickname Buratino originates with the name of the hero of a Russian retelling of the Pinocchio tale (by Alexey Tolstoy), given the perception of the big "nose" of the launcher.
TOS-1A "Solntsepyok" (Russian: Солнцепёк, English: Blazing sun or Sunheat) system consists of the following items:
1) The "combat vehicle" BM-1 (rus. Боевая машина) (Ob.634B) based on a modified T-72A chassis and fitted with a rotating launch system for 24 unguided thermobaric rockets. All rockets can be launched within 6 to 12 seconds. The launch vehicle is equipped with a fire control system with a ballistic computer, aiming sight and 1D14 laser range finder. The other standard equipment consists of a TKN-3A sight for the commander, a GPK-59 navigation system, an R-163-50U radio station, an R-174 intercom and a 902G smoke grenade launcher with four barrels. The 3-man crew is armed with one AKS-74, one RPKS-74, threeRPG-26s, and 10 F-1 hand grenades. The BM-1 is fitted with the same equipment as the T-72 tank (NBC protection, fire-fighting, observation etc.).
2) Two TZM-T (rus. Транспортно-заряжающая машина) (Ob.563) re-supply vehicles, fitted with a 10 kN crane. Each vehicle carries 2x12 spare rockets and 400 litres of fuel for the BM-1 and has a combat weigh of 39 t (86,000 lb). The TZM-T has a crew of three, armed with two AKS-74s, one RPKS-74, five RPG-26s, and 10 F-1 hand grenades.
3) A set of rockets NURS (rus. Неуправляемый реактивный снаряд) MO.1.01.04 and MO.1.01.04M. These are 3.3 m (10 ft 10 in) and 3.7 m (12 ft 2 in) long and weigh 173 kg (381 lb) and 217 kg (478 lb) respectively. The original rocket for the TOS-1A had a range of only 2,700 m (8,900 ft), but the improved version extends the range to 6,000 m (20,000 ft).
ТОС-1А «Солнцепёк» Тяжёлая огнемётная система ТОС-1А была разработана в 2001 году. Основной задачей системы является поддержка пехоты и бронетанковых соединений. Основные отличия от базового варианта:
1. Количество направляющих на боевой машине уменьшено с 30 до 24.
2. Транспортно-заряжающая машина выполнена на базе основного танка Т-72 (в базовой модификации она размещалась на шасси грузового автомобиля КрАЗ)
Состав ТОС-1А]:
1. Боевая машина БМ-1 (Объект 634Б);
2. Транспортно-заряжающая машина ТЗМ-Т (Объект 563);
3. НУРС МО.1.01.04 или МО.1.01.04М.