Octava Defence presents upgraded FLYCAT and long-range version with a range of over 200 km

Ukrainian company Octava Defence showcased an upgraded FLYCAT loitering munition at the MSPO-2026 exhibition in Poland. The UAV is already being used in combat conditions, while the SL version, with a declared range of over 200 km, is undergoing testing, Militarnyi reports.

The upgraded version began being used in July–August this year and is undergoing codification.

FLYCAT has an X-shaped wing configuration and is designed to operate in conditions where electronic warfare systems are in use and when there is no reliable GNSS satellite navigation signal.

The upgraded FLYCAT has improved most of its technical specifications: its flight range has been increased from 45 to 80 km, while its time in the air has been increased to 60 minutes. As before, it can carry a warhead weighing up to 3.7 kg and reach a speed of 150 km/h. For comparison, when FLYCAT was presented at the AUSA 2025 exhibition in the US, a range of up to 40 km and a flight time of 40 minutes were stated.

FLYCAT is designed to engage armoured vehicles, light fortifications, artillery, communications equipment, antennas, radar stations and air defence systems. It can operate together with a reconnaissance drone that transmits target coordinates, or without a separate reconnaissance drone. The use of several systems to strike a single target or different targets is also envisaged. The declared target detection and recognition range is 2 km.

According to the company, FLYCAT’s communications, navigation and terminal guidance systems, as well as its warhead, are manufactured in Ukraine. Its engines are sourced from abroad.

FLYCAT SL

FLYCAT SL is an enlarged variant designed to strike command posts, armoured vehicles, artillery and air defence systems deep within enemy defences.

Its stated specifications are:

• flight range — over 200 km;
• endurance — over 150 minutes;
• payload — 5–7 kg;
• maximum speed — 140 km/h;
• wingspan — 1.8 m;
• length — 1.95 m.

FLYCAT is developed by Venator Technologies, a Ukrainian company specialising in the design and development of unmanned systems. The upgraded versions were presented at MSPO by Octava Defence. Both companies are owned by Octava Capital, which holds a 100% stake in each, according to Opendatabot.