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[Altank]

 

 

 

"Knowledge is power."

Altank's Reviews: Chapter X, The TOS-1A.

 

Index:
1. -History.
2. -In-game overview.
3. -Development and upgrades.
4. -How to get the best out of it (Role) and How to deal with one (Countermeasures).
5. -References.
6. -Special thanks.
 

 

Patch 1.22 version; last update: 06/08/15.

 

 

1. -History:
The TOS-1 is a Soviet 220mm 30-barrel (original system, Obj 634 or TOS-1M) or 24-barrel (Obj 634B or TOS-1A) multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank designed for defeating enemy personnel in fortifications, in open country, and in lightly armoured vehicles and transport. First combat tests took place in 1988-1989 in the Panjshir Valley during the Soviet war in Afghanistan and was finally shown for the first time in public in 1999 in Omsk.


The idea of a heavy short-range MLRS to launch rockets equipped with incendiary and thermobaric warheads arose in the late 1970s. The combat system, consisting of the combat vehicle, rockets, and loading vehicle, was developed in early 1980s at KBTM in Omsk and was named TOS-1, remaining a secret development for a long time.
The combat vehicle acts within the combat order of infantry and tanks. The large mass of the launcher and the need for a high-level of protection (due to the relatively short range of 3500 m (11,500 ft)) helped determine the use of the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank.

In 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.

 
2. -In-game overview:

 

The TOS-1A is one of the highest-tier units in the game; subsequently, it features a very high price, only second to the Black Eagle's, of 24000 silver coins (this purchase option is unlocked once reaching rank 38, Major Grade 2) or of 1300 gold coins (this purchase option is unlocked once reaching rank 34, Captain).
The TOS-1A has the highest level among the self-propelled artillery pieces in the Soviet/Russian tech tree and in the whole game, along with the S.Korean K9 Thunder, and the second highest level among all the units featured in the whole Soviet/Russian tech tree, the highest-tier unit being the Black Eagle MBT; following in its line the ZSU-23-4 Shilka, starting at level 61 and reaching level 70.

 
3. -Development and upgrades:



TOS-1A's starting stats:
Health: 770.0
Armor: 49.0
Damage: 174.0
Speed: 46.0
Reloading speed: 0.2 (after the salvo has been fired, around 14 seconds are needed for another one to be ready)
Turret rotation speed: 20.0
Damage per minute: 7639.0
Maximum firing range: 653.0 m
 

Fully upgraded TOS-1A's stats:
Health: 850.0
Armor: 49.0
Damage: 278.0
Speed: 59.2
Reloading speed: 0.2 (after the salvo has been fired, around 14 seconds are needed for another one to be ready)
Turret rotation speed: 30.0
Damage per minute: 14239.0
Maximum firing range: 653.0 m

 

 

3.1 -Hull:

• Hull upgrades: two-tier hull upgrade available.

The TOS-1A features a two-tier hull upgrade; both of them are required in order to acquire most of the other upgrades and don't change the tank's appearance; as of patch 1.22.

3.2 -Health pool:

• Health pool upgrades: no upgrades available.

Thanks to a two-tier health upgrade, and because of the unit's already-high starting health pool, the TOS-1A's resulting amount of hit points is, in the end, definately above average.

3.3 -Armour and active protection system:

• Passive armor upgrades: no upgrades available.
• Reactive armor upgrades: no upgrades available.
• Spaced armor upgrades: no upgrades available.
• Active protection system upgrades: no upgrades available.

Despite the chassis of the TOS-1 being the exact same one of the T-72 main battle tank's, it has significantly thinner armor: the hull is protected by welded steel armor, which provides protection for the crew against small arms and artillery shell splinters. This artillery system is also fitted with NBC protection and automatic fire suppression systems.
Being a self-propelled artillery piece, it doesn't really come as a surprise that the TOS-1A doesn't feature any armour upgrade at all: after all it's, theoretically, meant to stay away from the heat of the battle, providing indirect fire support; nevertheless, this MLRS isn't helpless, when it comes to direct engagements against enemy units, at all, mainly, thanks to its high health pool, its low profile, its speed and mobility.

3.4 -Main gun and ammo:

• Main armament upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.

The main element of the TOS-1A system is the BM-1 launcher. The number of launching tubes was reduced from 30 to 24, arranged in three rows of eight tubes each. The new launching tubes are longer in comparison with the previous rocket artillery system. There are at least two types of 220mm rockets: incendiary and thermobaric, which are 3.3m and 3.7m long and weight 173kg and 217kg respectively. The TOS-1A uses longer rockets and has a longer range than its predecessor.
All guidance and firing procedures are made from the inside of the vehicle, without exposing crew to enemy fire. The launcher vehicle is prepared for firing at a visible target within 90 seconds.

The TOS-1A features a two-tier upgrade of its main launcher system, which grants a bonus to the damage as well as a bonus to the accuracy, while, however, also giving a malus to both speed and trasmission.
This MLRS' damage is very high, but only if considering the potential damage of an entire salvo, which can be fired in about 2.4 seconds; though consisting, oddly enough, of just 12 rockets instead of the 24 that this self-propelled rocket artillery piece is actually capable of firing, surely a way to make this unit more balanced.
Being a self-propelled artillery piece means that the TOS-1A can standard tank's rounds, but, in particular, just rockets with high-explosive warhaeds; therefore, the high theoretical damage output is heavily mitigated by the enemy's armour.
It's also worth mentioning that the TOS-1A's launcher has almost no depression whatsoever, which makes self-defense, and close engagements in general, fairly tricky. However, as we're going to see later on, there's a solution to this drawback.
As said above, being a self-propelled artillery piece, the only type of ammo available for the TOS-1A's launcher system is:

• Rockets: two-tier ammo upgrade available.

 

3.5 -Engine:

• Engine upgrades: three-tier upgrade available.

The TOS-1A is powered by a V-84MS diesel engine, which provides 840hp; considering the vehicle's low weight, this MLRS  features an amazing power-to-weight ratio. In fact, the engine is one of the many strongs points of the TOS-1A: a three-tier upgrade of the engine, makes this self-propelled artillery piece extremely agile and allows it to reach its top speed in no time at all. The TOS-1A can easily outmanoeuvre most of the opponents it faces with relative ease, also thanks to its compact size, compared to other self-propelled artillery pieces.
However, being based on the T-72 main battle tank, be wary that its reverse speed is very low: avoid going backwards when engaging enemies directly, at all costs.

3.6 -Reloading system:

• Reloading system upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.

Reloading is assisted by a TZM reloading vehicle, which also uses the chassis of the T-72 main battle tank. It is used to transport and reload rockets; it carries a full set of reload rockets in two units for 12 rockets each, while a crane is mounted between these units. The reloading vehicle is also operated by a crew of three. Some sources state that there is also a reloading vehicle built on the chassis of a cross-country truck KrAZ-255B.

It doesn't really come as a surprise that the TOS-1A doesn't feature any upgrade of the reloading system. Nevertheless, the already-fast, considering it's a self-propelled artillery piece, reloading speed makes up for it.

 

3.7 -Turret rotation system:

• Turret rotation system upgrades: two-tier upgrade available.

The TOS-1A features a two-tier upgrade of the launcher rotation system; despite the fact that the resulting launcher rotation speed still remains, in the end, rather low, considering the kind of vehicle, it's still rather adequate.

3.8 -Additional upgrades:

• Radio upgrades: one-tier upgrade available
• Radar upgrades: two-tier upgrade available
• Smoke grenade dischargers upgrades: no upgrades available.
• Infrared optics upgrades: one-tier upgrade available.
• Thermal optics upgrades: no upgrades available.
• Fording kit upgrades: no upgrades available.
• Floating kit upgrades: no upgrades available.

 

 
4. -How to get the best out of it (Role) and How to deal with one (Countermeasures):
Now that we have analyzed the characteristics of the TOS-1A, it's time to sum up:

~Pros:
-Above average health pool, rather makes up for the low amount of armour.
-Compact size, compared to the other self-propelled artillery pieces.
-Reasonable damage, even though often heavily mitigated by the enemy's armour, and great reloading speed, granting nevertheless a good DPM.
-Amazing acceleration and agility, allowing to outmanoeuvre opponents with ease.
-High speed, allowing to quicklyrelocate on the battlefield or get away from the heat of the fight after firing the salvo.

~Cons:
-Complete lack of armour and active protection system, making this self-propelled artillery piece very vulnerable to enemy fire.
-Poor "gun" depression.
-Low reverse speed.
-Very high price; the question regarding whether getting and upgrading this self-propelled rocket artillery is actually worth its cost arises very easily

 

 

4.1 -Role:
The TOS-1A is a unique armoured unit: despite being a self-propelled artillery piece, it doesn't really excel at providing indirect fire support, mainly because of the rockets' effective low damage.
What really makes this self-propelled artillery piece unique is its surprising effectivness at engaging enemies directly, thanks to its rather high health pool, which allows it to absorb a large amount of damage before going down, and its amazing agility: this SPG can easily outmanoeuvre most of its opponents with ease, finally using its very high speed to quickly get away from the heat of the fight after firing the salvo. Also, the compact size and relatively low silhouette, make it a difficult target to hit.
Find a lone target; then engage and outmanoeuvre your opponent: your good health pool will absorb the damage, allowing you to fire the salvo against the enemy; then use your speed to get away, restore your health, and wait for another salvo to be ready. However, don't get too close before shooting; as already said, your launcher has almost no depression whatsoever: by firing too closely, many rockets may pass above your foe; and you need all the them to hit your enemy directly, otherwise it's very likely your opponent will survive your attack.
Also you can provide a solution to its major drawback, i.e. its poor "gun" depression, by just keeping reversing: as said above, your reverse speed is very low, so, your aim won't be affected that much; also, and most importantly, the TOS-1A will subsequently lean to the front, thus giving you the "gun" depression you need. But I advise to do so only if your enemy is distracted or in other similar situations.
Provide indirect fire support only to finish enemies with low health: your salvo will never fail at doing the adequate amount of damage you need in this case, as the area covered by your rockets is large enough, but remember to lead the shots. In any other case, it's just a salvo wasted.

4.2 -How to deal with one:
Dealing with a TOS-1A is not that tricky; however, remember never to underestimate your opponent and this self-propelled artillery piece is no exception.
For what concers a TOS-1A engaging you indirectly; unless you have a low amount of health, you will survive the salvo with ease.
However, things get more complicated when it comes to a TOS-1A engaging you directly; remember to take the necessary countermeasures to avoid being outflanked, take advantage of its low reverse and launcher rotation speed, and load HEAT or HE rounds to take it out quickly.
Also, take full advantage of its poor "gun" depression: charge and close the distance so that, unless your enemy doesn't reverse, i.e. doing as said above, the TOS-1A won't be able to effectively point its launcher at you, especially when driving tanks with a low silhouette.
 

 

Here I end my review of the TOS-1A, a unique, first line MLRS.
I apologize in advance if something written is wrong and I hope you enjoyed it. If you liked it, another one will shortly follow! Tell me what you think about it in the comments and any advice you may suggest is welcome.
If you want to help, contact me via PM.
Take care on the battlefield, fellows!

Copying/Using any part of this review anywhere else is strictly forbidden, unless my proper authorisation is given.

 
5. -References:
Www.military-today.com
www.new-factoria.ru

 
6. -Special thanks to:
The Reviews team.
And last but not least all of you that read this review!

[Feildmarshal]

Nice altank!

[elderby22]

Good work

[Barry Friendly]

Excellent as always. Glad to see you're still doing these.

[Tankiller96]

I like the time you put into all of these thank you Altank

[randy12345]

"Good job" is only thing I see, but no argument about it happens.

 

Let me started.

 

This thing is a Type 10 worst nightmare

[Unknown 4249]

"Good job" is only thing I see, but no argument about it happens.

Let me started.

This thing is a Type 10 worst nightmare

You kiddin its everything's worst nightmare. Even others of the same tank.

[randy12345]

It fire 5 Missiles and Type 10 dead, for every rocketr, it does 109 damage or even higher.

 

MLRS does 200 damage to Type 10 XD

[hitman69]

It fire 5 Missiles and Type 10 dead, for every rocketr, it does 109 damage or even higher.
 
MLRS does 200 damage to Type 10 XD

If its maxed,also i sow noobs who dont know how to shoot with it lol,shoot few feet awey from me just lol.

[randy12345]

If its maxed,also i sow noobs who dont know how to shoot with it lol,shoot few feet awey from me just lol.

ikr but that thing is so fun, do you have one?

[hitman69]

ikr but that thing is so fun, do you have one?

Yes,but its ugly.

[randy12345]

Yes,but its ugly.

it is sexier than MLRS

Also I remember when you got your MLRS

[hitman69]

Yes,its Also ugly.xD

it is sexier than MLRS
Also I remember when you got your MLRS

[khan]

👍tos.1 is good to hide and fire but in front only two shot and goin😐

[je4n10]

You forgot to add that it was used in 2015 by th syrian army and was proven very effective (add to its history)

[CaptainPrice]

the TOS is rather annoying in hehe :l

[Unknown 4249]

the TOS is rather annoying in hehe :l

Lots of Russian players who happen to know the password like to go in and spam point blank at players with it ._.

[CaptainPrice]

Lots of Russian players who happen to know the password like to go in and spam point blank at players with it ._.

xaxn...tho he always gets more deaths than kills, and the TOS is very easy to ammo rack

[randy12345]

Lol now TOS-1 will be super OP with the new aiming sistem, now their shots will get where you want shells to be >=)

[Unknown 4249]

Lol now TOS-1 will be super OP with the new aiming sistem, now their shots will get where you want shells to be >=)

The aim to fire them off deviates a lot though after every shot, if fact a bit too much.