The Sagittarius-M complex has been in active service with Russian military intelligence since 2007, deployed in an experimental variant within special units. Officially listed among the Warrior equipment family, the full specifications remain partly classified.
Sagittarius-M functions as a wearable computer paired with peripheral devices distributed across a reconnaissance vest. The system weighs 2.4 kilograms and enables designation of aerial and artillery targets by pinpointing coordinates through a compact radar and a laser rangefinder.
A distinctive feature is the continuous, multi-member data exchange among Sagittarius-M units within a reconnaissance group. Information is updated and shared in real time, with the final results transmitted to the group leader and, immediately, to command and end users of intelligence data, including aviation assets.
Visually, the setup resembles navigation tablets held by special forces personnel. These devices determine position and compute enemy coordinates. While basic navigation is straightforward and can connect to field devices using consumer equipment like a phone, the real capabilities emerge in coordination and data integration that follow.
Every Sagittarius-M unit engages with the others. When a fighter observes the battlefield and spots an enemy or target, that information is fed into a central hub. The system aggregates location data, discovered objects, and situational details to form a comprehensive operational picture.
Data from multiple Sagittarius-M units is cross-checked and reproduced, enhancing accuracy as the network validates information from various sources. Experts in the field have noted that accuracy can approach near certainty when all units contribute and verify data in unison, contributing to confident decision-making by commanders.
Analysts indicate that Sagittarius-M can offer recommendations by processing inputs from the entire network, but the ultimate decision rests with the unit commander who oversees tactical operations and fire control.
On the battlefield, having precise orientation and reliable enemy position data is crucial. The system operates on the principle that every fighter becomes a thin, mobile relay of information, transmitting real-time signals even during independent reconnaissance. Commanders receive these reports and synthesize them to determine which weapons to deploy and when to engage the target.
Military leaders have highlighted that a fighter wearing Sagittarius insignia can still complete primary combat tasks while serving as an information node for the network, enabling coordinated pursuit and data-driven targeting. Knowing enemy coordinates allows the targeted use of specific armaments to achieve desired effects with greater precision.
Officials note that the Sagittarius complex contributes to higher accuracy in employing operational-tactical aviation during ongoing military operations. The system benefits from automatically received data from pilots, attack aircraft, and fighter-bombers to strike camouflaged or small targets that are difficult to detect from air or space-based sensors.
Historical reports indicate that the first combat deployment of Sagittarius-M occurred in Syria, where it operated alongside Su-24M bombers for reconnaissance and strike tasks. During the current operations in Ukraine, the system has been integrated with multiple fixed-wing and rotary-wing platforms. With the aid of data from the network, air forces have demonstrated high-precision, ground-tracing effects that surpass traditional satellite reconnaissance capabilities, according to experts closely following the development of the system.