The Shershen (Hornet) is a Belarusian third generation anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), based on Ukrainian ATGM Skif but reportedly with additional capabilities. Designed to defeat modern armored vehicles, protected objects (such as bunkers, pillboxes, earth-and-timber emplacements) and low-speed low-altitude targets (helicopters, UAVs). Shershen is designed to destroy armored vehicles equipped with explosive reactive armor (ERA) and can attack stationary and moving targets. Shershen also has automated fire and forget targeting mode that doesn’t require manual tracking of a target.
The “Shershen” base version consists of a tripod, a universal combat module, an anti-tank guided missile, a guidance device (PN-S) and a remote control, which allows the control of the unit from up to 100 m (with a wire channel) and up to 300 m (with radio). The two-man crew’s combat task is to assemble “Shershen”, find the target and launch. The pre-launch procedures, which include missile installation, PN-S connection and unit switch-on, take less than 2 minutes to complete. Once the missile is fired, the operator controls the “Shershen” and corrects the aim, if necessary, using the joystick on the remote control.
All modern armored targets can be destroyed, irrespective of where the missile hits them, using the РК-2 (cal. 130 mm) and Б-2Ðœ (cal. 152 mm) guided missiles. The Ð -2Ð’ missile (can be used with “Shershen-Q” and unificated with ATGM “Barier-B” ) extends the maximum range to 7,500m. The ability to use different types of missiles without any system modification, in addition to a wide spectrum of targets makes it possible to consider this system not only as an ATGM, but as a mobile defence-assault fire system for infantry support up to battalion level.
