9A52-4 Tornado
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The Tornado is a family of related
multiple rocket launcher A multiple rocket launcher (MRL) or multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) is a type of rocket artillery system that contains multiple launchers which are fixed to a single platform, and shoots its rocket ordnance in a fashion similar to a volle ...
s developed by
NPO Splav NPO Splav (russian: Научно-производственное объединение «СПЛАВ») is one of the leading global developers and manufacturers of multiple rocket launcher systems (MLRS), and one of the key companies providing Ru ...
for the
Russian Ground Forces The Russian Ground Forces (russian: Сухопутные войска ВSukhoputnyye voyska V}), also known as the Russian Army (, ), are the land forces of the Russian Armed Forces. The primary responsibilities of the Russian Ground Forces ...
. Variants of the system, which include the Tornado-G and Tornado-S models, have different capabilities and different battlefield roles.


Variants

The 9A52-4 Tornado system is a lightweight rocket launcher. There are two other systems. A modular MLRS based on the
MZKT MZKT (''МЗКТ'' or ''МЗКЦ'', be, Мінскі завод колавых цягачоў, , Minsk Wheel(ed) Tractor Plant (MWTP)) is a manufacturer of heavy off-road vehicles, especially military trucks, based in Minsk, in Belarus; it was ...
-79306 truck, which can carry two BM-27 Uragan or BM-30 Smerch launcher modules, and one based on the Kamaz 6×6 truck. The "Tornado-G" system is an upgrade package for the existing BM-21 Grad. The Russian government ordered 36 new "Tornado-G" based on the Kamaz 6x6 chassis, instead of the old systems based on the Ural-4320 truck. Systems in the Tornado family: * 9A53-G Tornado (2 × 15; 1×40 122 mm Upgraded
BM-21 Grad The BM-21 "Grad" (russian: БМ-21 "Град", lit= hail) is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first comba ...
Multiple Rocket Launcher Module, based on a Kamaz Truck or on a
Ural-4320 The Ural-4320 is a general purpose off-road 6×6 vehicle, produced at the Ural Automotive Plant in Miass, Russia for use in the Russian army. Introduced in 1976, it is still in production today. The wheel arrangement for the Ural-4320 was designe ...
). * 9A53-S Tornado (2 × 6; 2×4 300 mm Upgraded
BM-30 Smerch The BM-30 ''Smerch'' ( rus, Смерч, "tornado", "whirlwind"), 9K58 Smerch or 9A52-2 Smerch-M is a heavy self-propelled 300 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system is intended to defeat personnel, armore ...
Multiple Rocket Launcher Modules, based on a MZKT-79306).


Tornado-G

The Tornado-G model is aimed at replacing the
BM-21 Grad The BM-21 "Grad" (russian: БМ-21 "Град", lit= hail) is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first comba ...
multiple rocket launcher. Currently the sole operator is
Russian Ground Forces The Russian Ground Forces (russian: Сухопутные войска ВSukhoputnyye voyska V}), also known as the Russian Army (, ), are the land forces of the Russian Armed Forces. The primary responsibilities of the Russian Ground Forces ...
. A version will be approved for export.
Russian ground forces The Russian Ground Forces (russian: Сухопутные войска ВSukhoputnyye voyska V}), also known as the Russian Army (, ), are the land forces of the Russian Armed Forces. The primary responsibilities of the Russian Ground Forces ...
received about 30 Tornado-G systems in 2011, replacing the BM-21 Grad. Tornado-G received export permission in June 2018 and Tornado-S with 120 km range satellite-guided shells in August 2019. The three upgraded 122 mm Grad HE-Frag and HE/HEAT rocket variants for the Tornado-G multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) codenamed 9M538, 9M539 and 9M541 have a significant increase in firepower, albeit at a lower range capability. BM-21 Grad systems are being upgraded to the level of new-generation Tornado-G systems. The Tornado-G entered series production in 2013. The system entered service with the
Russian armed forces The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (, ), commonly referred to as the Russian Armed Forces, are the military forces of Russia. In terms of active-duty personnel, they are the world's fifth-largest military force, with at least two m ...
in 2014.


Tornado-S

The improved Tornado-S was upgraded with the special
GLONASS GLONASS (russian: ГЛОНАСС, label=none, ; rus, links=no, Глобальная навигационная спутниковая система, r=Global'naya Navigatsionnaya Sputnikovaya Sistema, t=Global Navigation Satellite System) is ...
satellite navigation system used in the Smerch missile system. The Tornado-S has guided rocket rounds with a range of 72 miles (120 km). The Tornado-S has a longer range and increased effectiveness, due to the use of new warhead payloads and a reduced launch readiness time of just three minutes. The Tornado-S was approved for service in July–August 2016 and started its serial deliveries. 20 Tornado-S vehicles ordered in summer 2019. A new order was made in August 2020. More missiles ordered in August 2022. Russian forces used Tornado-S during the
War in Donbass War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular ...
and the 2022 invasion in Ukraine.


9A52-4

Janes Janes is an English patronymic family name. Its root is believed to be from the possessive of the given name ''Jan'' (see ''Jayne''), ''John'' or ''Ian''. In England, the name appears to have its densest roots in Bedfordshire and Gloucestershire ...
describes the 9A52-4 Tornado as a lighter variant of the Tornado-S launcher. The 300 mm multiple rocket launcher was first unveiled in 2007 as a more strategically and tactically mobile launcher, albeit at the expense of a slight reduction in firepower. The 9A52-4 Tornado system is based on the chassis of the KamAZ-63501 8×8 military truck, which provides good tactical mobility. It is equipped with a single container with six launcher tubes for 300-mm rockets, which can fire all current Smerch rockets, including HE-FRAG, incendiary, thermobaric, cluster with anti-personnel or anti-tank mines. Cluster rounds may also carry self-targeting anti-tank munitions. The 800 kg standard rocket has a maximum range of 90 km. A range and direction correction system provides better accuracy compared to its predecessors. The 9A52-4 can launch rockets singularly, by a partial ripple or by a full salvo, which can cover an area of 32 hectares. A full salvo can be fired within 20 seconds. The 9A52-4 launching vehicle can be reloaded within 8 minutes. Launcher pods are designed for use with 122 mm and 220 mm rockets. The weapons system is equipped with an automated laying and fire control system, along with an autonomous satellite navigation and positioning system. Positioning and firing data are exchanged between the launch vehicle and the command vehicle.


General characteristics


9A52-4 Tornado

* Chassis: Kamaz-63501 * Salvo Time: 6 rounds in 20 seconds * Reload Time: 8 min


Rocket projectiles

Tornado-S 300 mm A new longer range (possibly 200 km) high precision missile 9M544 for the Tornado-S system with cumulative-fragmentation munitions was tested in 2020.


Operators


Tornado-G

* : Russian Ground Forces (180+)


Tornado-S

* : Russian Ground Forces (20+)


See also

* Katyusha, BM-13, BM-8, and BM-31 multiple rocket launchers of World War II *
BM-14 The BM-14 (BM for ''Boyevaya Mashina'', 'combat vehicle'), is a Soviet-made 140mm multiple launch rocket system (MLRS), normally mounted on a truck. The BM-14 can fire 140 mm M-14 rockets with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead, a smoke warh ...
140mm multiple rocket launcher *
BM-21 Grad The BM-21 "Grad" (russian: БМ-21 "Град", lit= hail) is a self-propelled 122 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system and the M-21OF rocket were first developed in the early 1960s, and saw their first comba ...
122mm multiple rocket launcher *
BM-27 Uragan The BM-27 Uragan (russian: БМ-27 Ураган, lit=Hurricane; GRAU index 9P140) is a self-propelled 220 mm multiple rocket launcher designed in the Soviet Union. The system began its service with the Soviet Army in the late 1970s, and wa ...
220mm multiple rocket launcher *
M270 The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (M270 MLRS) is an American-developed armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher. The U.S. Army variant of the MLRS vehicle is based on the chassis of the Bradley Fighting Vehicle. The first M270s wer ...
, U.S. multiple rocket launcher *
Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher Pinaka (from Sanskrit: पिनाक, see Pinaka) is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of 40 km f ...
Indian 122 mm / 214 mm multiple rocket launcher *
T-122 Sakarya The T-122 Sakarya is a Turkish multiple launch rocket system developed by ROKETSAN. Overview As part of the modernization drive undertaken by the Turkish Military in the 1980s and 90s several new rocket systems were developed for the needs o ...
122 mm rocket launcher *
Fajr-5 The Fajr-5 (rarely Fadjr-5, fa, فجر-۵, "Dawn") is an Iranian 333 mm long-range multiple launch rocket system (MLRS). The Fajr-5 was developed during the 1990s and has since been exported to various armed actors in the Middle East. The F ...
333 mm rocket launcher *
TOROS Toros may refer to: Sports *Rio Grande Valley FC Toros, an American soccer team in Edinburg, Texas * Austin Toros (2005-2014) a minor league basketball team from Austin, Texas *Western District Toros, a soccer club from Adelaide, South Australia ...
230–260 mm rocket launcher *
Falaq-2 The Falaq-2 missile is the second generation of Falaq unguided artillery rocket systems. This system was also developed in the 1990s by the Shahid Bagheri Industries, which is part of the Aerospace Industries Organization. It is considered possi ...
Unguided rocket launcher *
HIMARS The M142 HIMARS (M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) is a light multiple rocket launcher developed in the late 1990s for the United States Army and mounted on a standard United States Army Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles (FMTV) truc ...
U.S. downsized derivative version of M270 * TOS-1 Buratino Heavy Flame Thrower System (multiple rocket / thermobaric weapon launcher)


References


External links

*
9A52-4 Tornado Multiple Launch Rocket System

Rosoboronexport Ammunition
{{Use dmy dates, date=June 2017 Weapons of Russia Rocket artillery Self-propelled artillery of Russia Multiple rocket launchers Motovilikha Plants products NPO Splav products Modular rocket launchers Cluster munition Military vehicles introduced in the 2010s