{
  "id": "tornado-s",
  "name": "9A53-S Tornado-S",
  "aliases": [],
  "domain": "land",
  "country": "RUS",
  "category": "300 mm multiple launch rocket system",
  "status": "in-service",
  "fielded": 2016,
  "operators": [
    "RUS"
  ],
  "prolif_count": 1,
  "summary": "The 9A53-S Tornado-S Russian 300mm Multiple Launch Rocket System represents a \"deep modernization\" of the Smerch platform, incorporating GLONASS satellite navigation, an automated fire control system, and the capability to launch precision-guided rockets at ranges up to 120 km.",
  "specs": [
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Manufacturer",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "NPO Splav",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Chassis",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "MAZ-543",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Configuration",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "8x8",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "crew",
      "v": 3,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Displacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "3 min",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Emplacement time",
      "section": "system",
      "v": "3 min",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "length_m",
      "v": 12.7,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "width_m",
      "v": 3.1,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "height_m",
      "v": 3.29,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "combat_weight_t",
      "v": 24.65,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_name",
      "v": "YaMZ-846",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "engine_hp",
      "v": 500,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "road_range_km",
      "v": 850,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_road_kmh",
      "v": 60,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "speed_xc_kmh",
      "v": 35,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fording depth",
      "section": "mobility",
      "v": "1.1 m",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Launch tubes",
      "section": "armament",
      "v": "12 launcher tubes mounted at the rear of the truck chassis with the same configuration as the BM-30 Smerch consisting of two separate banks of four with a connecting roof of the remaining four tubes overlying the inner tubes of the banks.",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Fire control system",
      "section": "firecontrol",
      "v": "Onboard equipment also includes automated launch preparation equipment that has allowed for the autonomous execution of fire missions. This allows for a sharp reduction in fire preparation time from unprepared positions. This equipment prov",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "Hull Armor",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The vehicle provides protection for the crew against small arms fire and artillery shell splinters. This vehicle lacks any defensive armament.",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "",
      "label": "NBC Protection",
      "section": "protection",
      "v": "The fully enclosed cab is provided with an NBC system and two entry doors on the left side that open to the front.",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "main_armament",
      "v": "Tornado-S 9A54 launcher vehicle",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium"
    },
    {
      "k": "range_max_km",
      "v": 120,
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "label": "Maximum firing range"
    }
  ],
  "payloads": [
    {
      "name": "9M55K",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A warhead with fragmentation submunitions."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M55K1",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A self-aiming submunitions."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M55K4",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A warhead for anti-tank mining."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M55K5",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A warheads with cumulative fragmentation warheads."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M55S",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A thermobaric warhead."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M528",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A high-explosive fragmentation warhead."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M529",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "Used against personnel both exposed and sheltered in the open-type fortifications."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M531",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "Used to engage personnel in both exposed and sheltered and lightly armored vehicles."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M533",
      "role": "Unguided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "Used for a top attack of the groupings of armored materiel and tanks."
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M544",
      "role": "Guided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A high-explosive (HE), fragmentation, fin-stabilized, solid propellant, guided artillery rocket, fitted with a self-contained powered-flight phase control system which provides an increase in fire pre"
      }
    },
    {
      "name": "9M549",
      "role": "Guided rocket",
      "src": [
        "weg-tornado-s"
      ],
      "conf": "medium",
      "caps": {
        "Description": "A guided rocket with HE-FRAG (High Explosive Fragmentation) submunitions."
      }
    }
  ],
  "variants": [],
  "art": "mlrs",
  "image": {
    "file": "tornado-s.jpg",
    "thumb": "tornado-s-thumb.jpg",
    "credit": "Nickel nitride",
    "license": "CC0",
    "url": "https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tornado-S_-_Army_2024-08-14_44.jpg",
    "title": "File:Tornado-S - Army 2024-08-14 44.jpg"
  },
  "verified": null,
  "changelog": [
    {
      "date": "2026-10-04",
      "change": "Entry created from the Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)"
    },
    {
      "date": "2026-10-05",
      "change": "Added photo (CC0)"
    }
  ],
  "url": "https://www.defensepedia.com/systems/tornado-s.html",
  "sources": {
    "weg-tornado-s": {
      "title": "9A53-S Tornado-S Russian 300mm Multiple Launch Rocket System",
      "publisher": "U.S. Army TRADOC G-2 Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)",
      "url": "https://odin.t2com.army.mil/WEG/Asset/9A53-S_Tornado-S_Russian_300mm_Multiple_Launch_Rocket_System",
      "published": "2026-03-20",
      "tier": 1,
      "checked": "2026-10-10"
    }
  }
}