SP, MLRS and SPAA Developments

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

The very first ref. Military-Today does support the USMC Gazette claim that the TOS-1 did see combat in Afghanistan as well. The year I've seen most consistently for developmental start was 1981. As Russia is not India (Again 30+ years to get to the ARJUN MBT.) they could get a system like this tested and in the field within 5 yrs. because they already had identified and did not have to develop a launch platform by using the T-72. If you go with the Afghanistan situation I would recommend a date of 6/86 this would allow 5-5.5yrs. to develop the launcher, rocket and modify the readily available T-72 hulls for turret removal, modification of the FCS and reconfiguration of the turret opening to mount the launcher. Very doable for only 24-30 platforms. Or as your planning leave it alone as CHECHNYA is the common thread for all the refs we have concerning it's combat background. I had to give you the first option as you would understand for AFGHANISTAN since they didn't leave there until around May 1989(?) I believe.

I need to grab something to eat and get ready for work.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Don,
I did as deep a search as possible and this ties into the immediate last post.
TOS-1: I gave the option of 6/86 I have found ONLY one ref that offers any specific date and that only a year from the first ref below "IOC 1985" a couple of these are Russian and support the Afghanistan combat role one says this was in 1989 (Second ref. note: it shows a TOS-1A video BUT the write is for the TOS-1.) and that's it, I didn't read the USMC Gazette to see if they even gave that much.
http://www.deagel.com/Multiple-Launc...002564001.aspx
https://russianmilitaryphotos.wordpr...sting-grounds/
http://tanknutdave.com/the-russian-tos-1-mlrs/

TOS-1A: Here 2001 is the consensus year. However the ref gives a specific date of 04 April 2001 as an in service date.
http://tonnel-ufo.ru/eanglish/weapon...tem-tos-1a.php

I REALLY GOTTA FLY NOW!!

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

SOFTBALL #1...
In my last post I came across a ref concerning the TOS-1A having been delivered to Iraq in July. I thought I bookmarked it however, I did not so, to close the loop here, I give you the following...
I recommend that Oct. 2014 be the field date for the TOS-1A based on the late July 2014 delivery date and to allow for training. I believe the pictures you posted came from the first ref. the training time is reasonable considering the Iraqi Army is very familiar with the T-72 tank. The FCS is more of a direct fire system aided by a day/night (TI) optical sight with LRF again not a technical hurdle for them to overcome. The only time consuming issue I really is in learning to reload and use the launcher (As they already use similar systems.) specific to the TOS-1A.
http://www.janes.com/article/41343/i...ssian-weaponry

Please note dated posted on the following (This is a legitimate site designed to serve current active, reserve, veteran and retired military in the U.S.)
http://www.military.com/video/rocket...3846081544001/

And if your feeling really frogging...
JANE'S was right on top of this concerning the Iraqis having been equipped with the Iranian HM-20 MRL as pictured. I have not verified that this is even in the Iranian OOB. I have a handful of equipment issues to deal with concerning Iran, they've been busy this past year. If not, as you can see it's on my list to do already.
http://www.janes.com/article/47826/d...aq-as-positive

Since in these refs there has been discussion of the Su-25, Iraq does have and is getting more of them however, there is no info to support that they are being used at this time. This is a new aircraft for them thus the Russians (Yes they're there and yes we paid for some of this equipment as well.) are training them to fly and maintain them.

Regards,
Pat