Guided projectiles of multiple launch rocket system “Tornado-S”
© Press Service of the State Corporation Rostec.
On February 4, the Russian Ministry of Defense released footage showing a Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) firing at Kiev forces in the special military operation zone.
The MLRS targeted equipment, weapons and ammunition which were accumulated behind the frontline, as well as a number of military positions. According to the ministry, all targets were completely destroyed.
The Tornado-S is a deeply-upgraded BM-30 Smerch 300 mm MLRS. One of the main features of the upgrade is a special GLONASS satellite navigation system. The system can fire all Soviet-era 300 mm unguided rockets as well the modern 9М542 rocket, which is guided by a GLONASS-aided inertial navigation system and has a minimum range of 40 kilometers and a maximum range of up to 120 kilometers. The 820-kg rocket is typically armed with a high-explosive fragmentation warhead.
Russia has been using Tornado-S MLRS against Kiev forces since the very start of the special military operation in Ukraine last year. At least 20 systems are reportedly in active service with the Russian military.
The Tornado-S and 9M54 rockets are considered the Russian equivalent of the US-made M142 HIMARS multiple launch system and M30/M31 GMLRS precision-guided rockets, which were recently supplied to Kiev forces.
The rocket system allows the Russian military to hit high-value military targets from a fairly long distance with pinpoint accuracy.
MORE ON THIS TOPIC:
