9A52-4 Tornado ( Russian MLRS)

[luigim]

I hope in the next ( if any) update there will be the 9A52-4 Tornado MLSRS for the Russian OBAT. It started replacing old BM-21 Grad.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9A52-4_Tornado

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

I have to be brief as I'm still recovering. Essentionally I tried getting it in about 3 or 4 years ago some felt it redundant to the GRAD even though it's a totally different system. I was thinking about trying again when the opportunity presents itself as I believe GRAD will be removed from frontline service by 2018 or sooner. I have a handful of items I was going to submit in the very last patch for the game, this being one of them. However Russia is moving faster in replacing the GRAD, with the TORNADO. You can find more on the topic in the SPA/SPAA Thread. TORNADO should be reconsidered as it will crossover beyond 2020 where the GRAD will not at least for Russia if someone keeps the franchise going. To be fair, we still have to work around the current slot issue as well until another solution can be found to free up more.
Of note the Ukraine has just updated their GRAD system by intergrating onto a new platform with a new FCS and a an onboard reloadable launcher that takes about 2 or 3 minutes to change out with just the crew.

Regards,
Pat

[shahadi]

We can add the Tornado to our game via the editor as the BM-30, BM-27, and BM-21 are off-map systems therefore we need not concern ourselves with an icon.

As I understand the Tornado, the Russians are essentially fielding a unified system replacing the various Grad models, such that the 9A52-4 Tornado replaces BM-21 (122mm), BM-27 (220mm), and the BM-30 (300mm) in one weapon platform but with reduced firepower. The reduced firepower could arguably mean the 300mm rockets will not be a part of the Tornado. In our game these missile launchers are all O/M. If your scenario required either of these weapons: 122mm or 220mm you could take the BM-30 and change the weapon loadout to either the 122mm or 220m rocket.

We can change the name, cost, and weapon loadouts in the Editor from a BM-30 to a Tornado. Also, note the BM-30 comes in two flavors, the Smearch or HEAT loadouts and a Cluster Munitions variety in our game, we can choose either of the two in the editor with each Weapon slot representing a reloadable pod. We can play with the rate of fire to represent full salvo, singular, or multiple rocket fires.

Further, we can load from a variety of weapons in the Editor: FASCAM, FAE, HEAT, and CM are all currently available in game.

This is how I would do it so that I would not have to bother with adding a new weapon that would necessitate shipping a new OOB with a scenario.

[shahadi]

Continued (my 30 minute limit expired in the previous post)

Military Today claims the system will launch the 300mm rockets and that the Tornado is an answer to the US HIMARS. It is further described as being light-weight and mobile with six tubes.

Pakistan Defense is listing the Tornado as being air-transportable. If this is the case, a Tornado could be modeled on the BM-21V Grad-V with appropriate changes in the Editor as described above. Now, the Tornado, the light-weight version can be used in the game transported by a heavy helicopter, say the MI-26.

Seems exciting. However, I would not field this unit on full salvo, instead, I'd make ROF at 1 in a scenario.