The TOS-1 Buratino heavy flame thrower system destroys the enemy by burning down its position, through waves of pressure.  The military vehicle can hit targets within a range of up to eight kilometers.

The system is mounted on T-72 tank’s chassis, with a missile launcher installed instead of the tank turret. The launcher has an ammunition load of 30 missiles (the first models used to have 24 missiles). The missile launcher is located on a rotating platform; it needs only seven seconds to shoot its full load. Thanks to the tank’s chassis, the military vehicle has increased maneuverability.  

The Buratino’s shells can be rightfully called unique as they have a double effect: an inflammatory and a thermobaric one. They are not used in other vehicles.

The vehicle was first used in combat in Afghanistan and then in Chechnya.

According to military officers, the vehicle is quite vulnerable despite its fire power. The TOS-1 can be easily destroyed by a tank or a helicopter, that’s why the system attacks and then withdraws under cover of tanks. 

The Buratino is individually manufactured and is not used widely, probably because it was initially designed for use in local conflicts, as some experts say. Today the heavy flame thrower system is not very efficient, because it affects too large an area and can cause civilian casualties. On the other hand, during large-scale military operations the TOS-1 is inferior to the BM-30 Smerch, a heavy multiple rocket launcher, because of its shorter shooting range and limited power.