Thermobaric Weapon - History - Military Use

Military Use

First experiments were conducted in Germany during World War II (led by Mario Zippermayr). The German bombs used coal dust as fuel and were extensively tested in 1943 and 1944, but did not reach mass production before the war ended.

The TOS-1 system was test fired in Panjshir valley during Soviet war in Afghanistan in the early 1980s

Unconfirmed reports suggest Russian military forces used ground delivered thermobaric weapons in the Battle for Grozny (first and second Chechen wars) to attack dug in Chechen fighters. The use of both TOS-1 heavy MLRS and "RPO-A Shmel" shoulder-fired rocket system in the Chechen wars is reported to have occurred.

During the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis, it is theorized that a multitude of hand-held thermobaric weapons were used by the Russian Armed Forces in their efforts to retake the school. The RPO-A and either the TGB-7V thermobaric rocket from the RPG-7 or rockets from either the RShG-1 or the RShG-2 is claimed to have been used by the Spetsnaz during the initial storming of the school. At least 3 and as many as 9 RPO-A casings were later found at the positions of the Spetsnaz. The Russian Government later admitted to the use of the RPO-A during the crisis.

According to UK Ministry of Defence, British military forces have also used thermobaric weapons in their AGM-114N Hellfire missiles (carried by Apache helicopters and UAVs) against the Taliban in the War in Afghanistan.

The US military also used thermobaric weapons in Afghanistan. On 3 March 2002, a single 2,000 lb (910 kg) laser guided thermobaric bomb was used by the US army against cave complexes in which Al-Qaeda and Taliban fighters had taken refuge in the Gardez region of Afghanistan. The SMAW-NE was used by the US Marines during the First Battle of Fallujah and Second Battle of Fallujah.

Reports by the Rebel fighters of the Free Syrian Arrmy claim the Syrian Air Force (government forces) is using such weapons against residential area targets occupied by the rebel fighters, as for instance in the Battle for Aleppo and also in Kafar Batna . These reports need, However, a confirmation from independent military experts.