The Russian Armed Forces are currently testing a new weapon system for their infantry, a system that could change the balance of power on the battlefield in Ukraine.
This portable weapon, which is the size of an anti-tank missile launcher, is currently undergoing testing at a Russian army training ground in Donetsk.
The system's name is Solist, and the weapon was developed by the Russian arms manufacturer KEMZ. The testing is being carried out by the Center Rivier team, which specializes in evaluating innovative systems from the Russian defense industry.
What makes the Solist stand out?
To get to the heart of the matter, the Solist is a hybrid guided precision munition that gains altitude during flight with the help of a rocket motor. After being launched, the munition ascends into the air and then follows a guided "free-fall" path toward its target. Its navigation is controlled by the operator from a maximum distance of two kilometers.
As you can understand, the operational philosophy of the Solist is similar to that of conventional FPV drones used by both the Russian and Ukrainian forces in the ongoing war. The Solist is also controlled via an FPV camera, allowing the operator to precisely control the munition in real-time.
This means that the Solist can turn, change direction, accelerate, and decelerate during flight, like a regular unmanned aerial vehicle.
The new Russian system is primarily designed for attacks against armored vehicles, but can also target helicopters, low-flying drones, wheeled vehicles, fortified positions, and enemy personnel.
The operational range of the Solist extends between 0.8 and 10 kilometers, depending on the conditions.
The Solist stands out from conventional portable anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) because it strikes armored targets from above, enhancing its effectiveness.
The munition is 1.2 meters long, weighs 20 kilograms, and can be equipped with various explosive warheads, such as RPG heads, etc.
