Russia’s “blazing sun” rocket launcher

A T-72 tank fitted with a Solntsepek thermobaric rocket launcher – a heavy flamethrower system used against fortified positions, or in urban combat regardless of collateral damage – was seen heading for the Ukraine border


M0.1.01.04M rocket
Maximum range 10km

TOS-1A Solntsepek, or “blazing sun”
Assigned to Nuclear Biological Chemical Protection units rather than main Russian artillery

Multiple rocket launcher 
Rockets launched individually, in pairs, or as salvo

Solid fuel engine

217kg 
3.7m long

Built on T-72 main battle tank chassis.
Used in Afghanistan, Chechnya and Syria. Seen south of Belgorod, heading for Ukraine

Thermobaric fuel-air mixture
Bursting charge
Detonating fuse


1 Impact: Detonation spreads cloud of fuel-air mixture over wide area

2 Thermobaric explosion: Cloud ignites, creating massive fireball

3 Shockwave: Blast wave destroys fortifications.
Personnel killed by combination of pressure, suffocation and heat.
Full salvo would destroy an area of 8,000m2

4 Burning of oxygen creates partial vacuum – air sucked in at ground level, smoke driven up into mushroom cloud


Sources: CNN, Business Insider, Army Recognition
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