Ukraine’s Octava Defence Develops FLYCAT SL Strike Drone With Range of More Than 200 km

Ukraine’s Octava Defence has presented an updated version of the FLYCAT loitering munition and its long-range FLYCAT SL variant, which has a range of more than 200 kilometers.

A representative of Octava Defence told a Militarnyi correspondent about the drones at the MSPO 2026 international defense exhibition in Poland.

According to the company representative, the previous FLYCAT variant has been used in combat since March 2026. The improved version began being used in July-August and is currently undergoing codification. The FLYCAT SL is currently undergoing testing.

FLYCAT

FLYCAT is a strike UAV with an X-shaped wing configuration. Its wingspan is 1,650 mm, and its length is 1,600 mm. The drone is designed to operate in an electronic warfare environment and when a reliable GNSS signal is unavailable.

The updated FLYCAT has a range of more than 80 km and an endurance of 60 minutes. The drone can carry a warhead weighing between 2.5 and 3.7 kg. Its maximum speed is 150 km/h.

The updated aircraft is equipped with two cameras and a terminal guidance module. Depending on the customer’s requirements, these can be two daytime cameras or a combination of daytime and nighttime channels. The stated target detection and recognition range is 2,000 meters.

FLYCAT’s primary targets include armored vehicles, light fortifications, artillery systems, communications equipment, antenna systems, radar stations and air defense systems.

FLYCAT can operate together with a reconnaissance drone that detects a target and transmits its coordinates. At the same time, the developers have provided for scenarios in which the drone operates without a separate reconnaissance asset, as well as group strikes by several drones against one or multiple targets.

The communications, navigation and terminal guidance systems, as well as the warhead, are manufactured in Ukraine, while the engines are of foreign origin.

FLYCAT SL

FLYCAT SL is an enlarged long-range variant of the FLYCAT. Its wingspan is 1,800 mm, and its length is 1,950 mm.

The stated range of the FLYCAT SL exceeds 200 km. The drone can remain airborne for more than 150 minutes and carry a payload weighing between 5 and 7 kg. Its maximum speed is 140 km/h.

The long-range variant is designed to strike command posts, armored vehicles, artillery systems and air defense systems deep behind enemy lines.