Solis

Solis (ソリス) is a Martian Kataphrakt that appears in the ALDNOAH.ZERO television series. It is piloted by Count Selkinas, an Orbital Knight. It is also commonly referred to as "Scorching Solis".

Technology & Combat Characteristics
The Kataphrakt is equipped with an Aldnoah Drive that allows for it to create extremely destructive beams that can pierce buildings, planes and Kataphrakts with ease. The beams also have impressively long range, capable of reaching the Satellite Belt from sea level on Earth.

Besides the two beam cannons mounted on either side of its head, it also has a second pair of hands mounted on the blade-like structure extending from its forearms.

Armaments

 * 2x Beam Cannons
 * It has two Beam Cannons mounted on each side of its head. The powerful and fast beams can be used to destroy targets with pinpoint accuracy and can reach as far as the Satellite Belt from sea level on Earth. However, unlike objects with mass, the beams can only fire in a straight line, limiting their range on Earth due to the curvature of the planet.
 * It can also adjust its output ranging from a thin beam just enough to accurately take enemy units apart to a broad beam meant to destroy larger targets such as structures and large ships.
 * It also comes with a secondary firing mode which shoots blaster-like energy bolts at targets. Contrary to its primary energy beam, these appear to need time to reach their targets.

History
The Martian Kataphrakt is seen activating as Operation Earthfall began, starting the Second Earth-Mars War.

Count Selnakis landed in New Orleans, destroyed Silver Squad and Alpha Squad that consisted of F-22 Raptors and KG-7 Areions before going on to damage much of the city.

It is briefly seen during Princess Lemrina Vers Envers's speech to attack the Earth disguised as Princess Asseylum. The Kataphrakt is seen standing among several VERS soldiers as it continues its conquest across the U.S.

The Solis is invulnerable to the ammunition of UEF's Kataphrakts, rendering battles futile and extremely one-sided. as they did not have any other weapons that could penetrate its armour. However, Inaho Kaizuka was able to destroy the Solis with the help of the Deucalion by relaying the geographic coordinates of the Solis, thereby allowing the ship's artillery cannons to accurately target it from a far distance away out at sea. Unlike the Solis' laser beams which could only fire in a straight line, the Deucalion's cannon targeting systems could be calibrated to factor in the curvature of the Earth - hence, allowing it to strike the Solis without the latter being able to hit the Deucalion.

Notes & Trivia

 * It is named after Solis Lacus, a dark feature on Mars, commonly referred as "The Eye of Mars" because with the surrounding light area called Thaumasia it resembles the pupil of one.