Octava Defence FLYCAT SL

History

Octava Defence FLYCAT SL is a Ukrainian long-range loitering munition developed as an enlarged derivative of the FLYCAT strike UAV. It was presented in 2026 with a stated flight range exceeding 200 km and a payload of 5–7 kg.

The FLYCAT SL is intended for strikes against command posts, armored vehicles, artillery systems, and air-defense assets at extended distances. As of September 2026, the long-range variant remained in testing and had not been reported as operational.

The system was disclosed in connection with the MSPO 2026 international defense exhibition in Poland. A representative of Octava Defence provided details of the FLYCAT family to Militarnyi, while reports from Mezha, The Defender, and LB.ua described the same presentation and testing status.

Development

FLYCAT SL was developed as a larger, longer-range modification of the FLYCAT loitering munition. The earlier FLYCAT variant had been used in combat since March 2026, while an improved version began being used in July–August 2026 and was undergoing codification. These milestones apply to the shorter-range FLYCAT family and do not indicate operational use of FLYCAT SL.

FLYCAT SL was presented with substantially greater dimensions, endurance, payload, and range than the updated base FLYCAT. The long-range model was still undergoing testing when its characteristics were publicly described in September 2026.

Most available reports state that the FLYCAT SL range exceeds 200 km. One secondary report described the figure as up to 200 km, but the original reporting and several other accounts consistently give more than 200 km.

Design

FLYCAT SL is an enlarged member of the FLYCAT family. Its wingspan is 1.8 m and its length is 1.95 m. The published dimensions make it larger than the updated standard FLYCAT, which has a 1.65 m wingspan and a length of 1.6 m.

The SL variant has a stated maximum speed of 140 km/h. Its endurance is reported as more than 150 minutes, and it can carry a payload weighing 5–7 kg. The available reports do not separately specify the FLYCAT SL guidance module, camera configuration, propulsion type, or warhead arrangement.

The wider FLYCAT family is designed for operation in environments affected by electronic warfare and where a reliable GNSS signal is unavailable. Published descriptions of the base FLYCAT also identify Ukrainian-made communications, navigation, terminal-guidance, and warhead systems, with engines sourced from abroad. The available material does not explicitly confirm that every one of these components is unchanged on the FLYCAT SL.

Mission

The FLYCAT SL is intended for long-range attacks against targets deeper behind opposing defensive lines. The stated target set includes command posts, armored vehicles, artillery systems, and air-defense assets.

Program status

As of September 2026, FLYCAT SL was undergoing testing. No source provided a confirmed production start, service-entry date, procurement quantity, or operational deployment for the SL variant.

Specifications (FLYCAT SL)

General characteristics

• Length: 1.95 m
• Wingspan: 1.8 m
• Payload: 5–7 kg

Performance

• Maximum speed: 140 km/h
• Flight range: more than 200 km
• Endurance: more than 150 minutes

Related equipment

• FLYCAT: The smaller strike UAV from which the FLYCAT SL was developed. The updated FLYCAT has a reported range exceeding 80 km, endurance of 60 minutes, a maximum speed of 150 km/h, and a 2.5–3.7 kg warhead.