Tornado-S Spotted with 200-km Range Glide-Capable Rockets

Photo via www1.ru

On January 3, 2026, it was reported that a Tornado-S MLRS had been spotted with launch tubes contoured to carry aerodynamically shaped rockets.

According to Russian military analyst Yevgeny Damantsev, the aerodynamic layout of the containers points to the development of MLRS rockets with glide capability.

In December 2025, Sputnik Live reported that Russia was developing the UMPB-30SN glide rocket for the Tornado-S with a range of up to 200 km.

Tornado-S

The long-range 300 mm MLRS Tornado-S is a modified version of the Smerch system and can engage targets at distances in excess of 100 km (possibly up to 120 km), covering an area of more than 60 hectares. The system is capable of firing both single rockets and a full salvo of 12 rockets.

Tornado-S rockets feature a strapdown inertial navigation system with GLONASS SATNAV updates, allowing each rocket in a salvo to be aimed at a different target.

The firing accuracy of Tornado-S rockets is reportedly 15–20 times higher than that of its predecessor, the Smerch MLRS.

Tornado-S UAV Launch System

In the past, there have been reports that a 300 mm Tornado-S rocket has been developed to deploy an electronic warfare (EW) drone over a designated area at distances of tens of kilometers. The EW drone can loiter over the target area, detect sources of radio emissions, and relay emitter coordinates to the MLRS. Alternatively, it could jam or spoof radio communication channels and radar signals.

The use of EW-drone-carrying rockets would be effective in suppressing counter-battery radars, thereby reducing the likelihood of retaliatory strikes. Such EW drones would provide a low-risk alternative to jamming aircraft or helicopters, with near-instant deployability.

Increased Operational Effectiveness

Currently, Russian forces position Tornado-S MLRS systems approximately 100 km from the front line to avoid strikes by Ukrainian HIMARS systems and drones. As a result, they are unable to strike targets deep inside Ukrainian territory.

Glide-capable rockets with a 200 km range would enable Tornado-S systems to strike targets nearly 100 km deep into adversary territory while remaining safely positioned about 100 km behind the line of contact.