BM-30 Smerch / Tornado-S
Heavy 300 mm multiple rocket launcher with guided rockets
The heaviest Russian rocket launcher: 12 tubes of 300 mm on an 8x8 chassis, in service since 1989. The successor Tornado-S (replacing it since 2018) adds GLONASS navigation, automated fire control and the guided 9M549 rocket out to 120 km — recognisable by the satellite antenna on the roof of the fire-control cab. In 2025 Rostec cited use against bridges and the command posts of Ukrainian drone units.
Learn more in the AirDefense Academy →Dimensionsfor imagery analysis
- Smerch 9A52-2
- 12.1 × 3.05 × 3.05 m; 43.7 t combat (MAZ-543M 8x8)
- Tornado-S 9A54
- ≈ 12.7 × 3.1 × 3.29 m (WEG)
- Recognition
- Tornado-S: satellite antenna on the roof of the fire-control cab
- Dimension source
- Wikipedia; US Army TRADOC Worldwide Equipment Guide (ODIN)
General
- Role
- Long-range fire support and precision strike
- Manufacturer
- Splav (Tula)
- In service
- Smerch 1989; Tornado-S since 2018–2020
- Crew
- 3–4
Weapon
- Tubes
- 12 × 300 mm
- Range
- Tornado-S: up to 120 km (guided 9M549)
- Rockets
- 9M55K (cluster), 9M55S (thermobaric), 9M528 (HE), 9M549 (guided)
- Salvo / reload
- Smerch 38 s / 36 min; Tornado-S < 30 s
Threat
- Significance
- Precision strike on HVTs up to 120 km behind the front, including air-defence sites
- Threat level
- High — range and precision
News archive 1
Analysed reports from the RU Mil Tracker about this system, newest first. Archive since 2026-07-17.
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Ukraine unveils home-built 'Koral' air-defense missile with claimed anti-ballistic role at MSPO 2026
At Poland's MSPO 2026 defense exhibition in Kielce (8–11 September 2026), Ukraine publicly displayed its domestically developed "Koral" (also spelled "Coral"; Ukrainian Корал) surface-to-air missile for the first time, alongside a launcher concept. State defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom released an image showing a missile launching from a self-propelled l…