TORNADO S 9K515 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System 300 mm Russia
TORNADO S 9K515 MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System 300 mm Russia.
The Tornado S 9K515 is a modernized version of the soviet made BM30 Smerch 300mm MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System that entered into service with the Russian armed forces in 1987.
It is designed and manufactured by the Russian company Motovilikhinskie Zavody. The Tornado S was approved for service in July August 2016 and the first rocket launchers were ordered by the Russian army in the summer of 2019.
Another batch of Tornado S was delivered in November 2022. The new Tornado S offers the capabilities of a precision weapon thanks to the use of guided rockets. The BM30 Smerch has only the capability to launch unguided rockets. The Tornado S is fitted with a GPS satellite navigation system enabling the launch of guided rockets.
It also has an extended firing range and increased effectiveness, due to the use of new warhead payloads and a reduced launch readiness time of just three minutes. Its shooting accuracy is improved from 3 to 15 times more and a salvo of rockets can be distributed among several targets with the relocation of the launcher vehicle.
On November 22, 2022, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Tornado S was deployed in Ukraine to conduct combat operations against the Ukrainian armed forces.
Tornado S 9K515 MLRS variants.
BM30 Smerch, the vehicle has the same design and launcher station but can only fire unguided 300mm rockets.
The Tornado S 9A54 launcher vehicle is equipped with 12 launcher tubes mounted at the rear of the truck chassis with the same configuration as the BM30 Smerch consisting of two separate banks of four with a connecting roof of the remaining four tubes overlying the inner tubes of the banks.
The new MLRS is now able to fire a wide range of guided and unguided rockets including 9M544 and 9M549 guided rockets and 9M555K, 9M55K1, 9M55K4, 9M55K5, 9M55F, 9M55S, 9M55K6, 9M525, 9M528, 9M529, 9M531, and 9M533 unguided rockets. Using a guided rocket, the Tornado S has a maximum firing range of 120 km.
It can fire a single rocket or a salvo in less than 30 seconds. The missile deflection does not exceed 10 20 meters, such characteristics are comparable with high precision missiles. After being put into battery, the vehicle is ready to fire its first rocket in 3 minutes. Preparing for the Smerch battle after receiving target designation takes only three minutes.