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New Russian Missile Solist Combines Drone and ATGM Capabilities to Strike Armored Vehicles and Fortifications.
On March 23, 2025, a video published on X by @simpatico771 revealed new footage of the Solist Drone Projectile, showcasing test firings and strikes on armored vehicles and defensive positions of the Ukrainian forces. This publication follows the official unveiling of the missile by Russia on February 10, 2025, where it was presented as a new hybrid tactical system developed by the КЭМЗ consortium. Described as a combination of an anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) and a first-person view (FPV) drone, it is currently undergoing live trials in the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR).
The Solist missile bridges the gap between mortars and ATGMs, featuring active guidance during descent, a 1.2m frame, 20kg weight, and a 500 km/h rocket-powered flight with a 2,000m altitude and trajectory correction capability (Picture source: TASS News)
According to a report from the Russian state news agency TASS, the missile has been deployed in Ukraine in a limited capacity to assess its battlefield performance. This phase represents a crucial step in its development, which, if successful, could lead to mass production at a rate of 2,000 units per month, as stated by Stanislav Gevorkyan, the general director of Rivir Center, the organization overseeing the integration of civilian technologies into military applications.
The Solist missile is designed to fill an operational gap between mortar systems and anti-tank-guided missiles. Unlike conventional ATGMs, which require a clear line of sight, and mortars, whose trajectories cannot be adjusted after launch, Solist is actively guided throughout its descent toward the target. It measures 1.2 meters in length, weighs 20 kg, and is powered by a rocket motor that enables it to reach speeds of 500 km/h and a maximum altitude of 2,000 meters before entering its trajectory correction phase.
The operator, positioned 2 km away from the launcher, controls the missile via FPV goggles and a remote controller, receiving real-time video feed from an onboard camera. This optical guidance system allows it to effectively engage armored vehicles, low-flying helicopters, and fortified positions with high precision.
The Solist is equipped with interchangeable warheads from the PG-7 and PG-9 families, commonly used in RPG-7 and SPG-9 rocket launchers. These widely produced munitions provide various capabilities, including shaped-charge warheads for anti-armor use, high-explosive fragmentation warheads, and thermobaric warheads. The PG-7VR, for example, is capable of penetrating 600 mm of homogeneous armor, enhancing Solist’s effectiveness against heavily protected targets.
The concept behind Solist aligns with recent Russian developments in loitering munitions, such as the Scalpel from the Vostok Design Bureau, which was expected to see mass production in 2024, though no concrete evidence of its deployment has been reported. Other systems, such as the Molniya, are simpler in design and primarily intended for delivering large payloads like TM-62 land mines. Despite this variety, the Lancet-3M remains the primary long-range strike munition used by Russian forces, particularly for counter-battery fire and high-value target engagement. The Solist, however, is designed as a tactical system intended for forward-deployed units, complementing existing FPV drones in battlefield operations.
Infographic showcasing the technical details and capabilities of the Solist hybrid missile (Picture source: Izvestia)
On the ground, Russian soldiers involved in the testing program emphasize the unique characteristics of this system. A fighter using the call sign Skripach, who contributed to its development, stated that Solist bridges the gap between ATGMs and mortars by combining indirect fire capability with active trajectory correction. The missile is launched at a high angle, similar to a mortar, before its descent trajectory is adjusted mid-flight, making it distinct from traditional anti-tank missiles.
Another significant aspect of Solist is its resistance to electronic countermeasures. Unlike standard FPV drones, which are often vulnerable to enemy jamming, Solist maintains high speed, allowing it to traverse electronic warfare zones quickly and re-establish communication with the operator. In the event of a complete loss of signal, the missile continues its pre-determined trajectory, ensuring it reaches the target.
Ongoing tests suggest that Solist could enter mass production by summer 2025, an accelerated timeline for military procurement, as the development and approval of new systems typically take several years. This acceleration aligns with a broader trend observed in the Ukraine conflict, where both sides are rapidly integrating technological advancements to increase the lethality and efficiency of their weaponry.
As part of this dynamic, Russia is also developing autonomous FPV drones powered by artificial intelligence and machine vision, aimed at improving their resilience against electronic warfare. One such example is the Ovat-S drone, also referred to as "Gadfly", which utilizes neural network-based targeting to autonomously identify and lock onto targets without direct human intervention. Additional innovations include drone motherships, capable of transporting and deploying FPV drone swarms deeper into contested areas.
The deployment of Solist reflects an ongoing shift in modern warfare tactics, where a combination of precision-guided munitions, autonomous strike capabilities, and electronic warfare resilience is becoming increasingly significant. If Solist proves effective in combat, it could reshape the role of portable guided munitions and provide Russian forces with a new asset in battlefield operations.