The 9A52-4 Tornado multiple launch rocket system will be Russia's newest universal MLRS and is designed as a lightweight and universal version of the BM-30 Smerch MLRS, dubbed 9A52-2. It was first unveiled in 2007 as a more strategically and tactically mobile version at the expense of a slight reduction of the firepower. This model is aimed at replacing the current generation of Russian MLRS, including BM-21 Grad, BM-27 Uragan and BM-30 Smerch. A version will be proposed for export.

Design

The 9A52-4 Tornado system is based on the chassis of KamAZ-63501 8x8 military truck that provides a good tactical mobility. It is equipped with a single container with six launching tubes for 300-mm rockets, which can fire all current Smerch rockets, including HE-FRAG, incendiary, fuel-air explosive, 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 with respect to its predecessors.
Launching pods with smaller 122-mm and 220-mm rockets are being designed.
The 9A52-4 can launch single rocket, partial ripple or full salvo, which can cover an area of 32 hectares.
An automated laying and fire control system, along with an autonomous satellite navigation and positioning system equip the system. Positioning and firing data are exchanged between the launch vehicle and the command vehicle.
The 9A52-4 launching vehicle is reloaded within 8 minutes and a full salvo duration is 20s.

General characteristics

• Chassis: KamAZ-63501
• Emplacement Time: ?
• Displacement Time: ?
• Launch Rate

Salvo Time: 6 rounds in 20 seconds

• Reload Time: 8 min

Rocket projectiles

Variant		Rocket		Warhead		Self-destruct time	Range
Name	Type	Weight	Length	Weight	Submunition		Min.	Max.
9M55K	Cluster munition Cluster bomb A cluster munition is a form of air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapon that releases or ejects smaller sub-munitions. Commonly, this is a cluster bomb that ejects explosive bomblets that are designed to kill enemy personnel and destroy vehicles... , anti-personnel	800 kg	7.6 m	243 kg	72 × 1.75 kg, each with 96 fragments (4.5 g each)	110 sec	20 km	70 km
9M55K1	Cluster munition, self guided anti-tank			243 kg	5 × 15 kg
9M55K4	Cluster munition, AT minelets Anti-tank mine An anti-tank mine, , is a type of land mine designed to damage or destroy vehicles including tanks and armored fighting vehicles.... .			243 kg	25 × 5 kg mines	24 hour
9M55K5	HEAT/HE-Fragmentation.			243 kg	646 × 0.25 kg (120 mm RHA armor piercing)	260 sec
9M55F	separable HE-Fragmentation			258 kg
9M55S	Thermobaric Thermobaric weapon A thermobaric weapon, which includes the type known as a "fuel-air bomb", is an explosive weapon that produces a blast wave of a significantly longer duration than those produced by condensed explosives. This is useful in military applications where its longer duration increases the numbers of...			243 kg
9M528	HE-Fragmentation	815 kg		243 kg	7.6 m		25 km	100 km

See also

• Katyusha, BM-13, BM-8, and BM-31 multiple rocket launchers of World War II
• BM-14
  BM-14
  The BM-14 , is a Soviet-made 140mm multiple rocket launcher, fielded by the Soviet Union.The BM-14 can fire rockets fitted with chemical , smoke or high-explosive fragmentation warheads...
  
   140mm multiple rocket launcher
• BM-21 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launcher
• BM-27 Uragan 220mm multiple rocket launcher
• M270
  M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System
  The M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System is an armored, self-propelled, multiple rocket launcher; a type of rocket artillery.Since the first M270s were delivered to the U.S. Army in 1983, the MLRS has been adopted by several NATO countries. Some 1,300 M270 systems have been manufactured in the...
  
  , U.S. multiple rocket launcher
• Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher
  Pinaka Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher
  Pinaka is a multiple rocket launcher produced in India and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation for the Indian Army. The system has a maximum range of 39–40 km and can fire a salvo of 12 HE rockets in 44 seconds, neutralizing a target area of 3.9 km2...
  
  , 214mm Indian multiple rocket launcher
• TOS-1 Buratino
  TOS-1
  TOS-1 is a Soviet 30-barrel or 24-barrel multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon mounted on a T-72 tank chassis. TOS-1 was designed for defeating enemy personnel in fortifications, in open country, and in lightly armoured vehicles and transport...
  
  Heavy Flame Thrower System (multiple rocket / thermobaric weapon launcher)

External links

• - 9A52-4 Tornado Multiple Launch Rocket System