Czech firm LPP presents Nightray strike drone aimed at GPS-denied operations

Czech defense company LPP used Eurosatory 2026 to introduce the MTS Nightray, a one-way attack drone designed for long-range strike missions in GPS-denied environments. The system is being positioned as an autonomous expendable platform for operations against defended targets, with an emphasis on low observability, electronic warfare resilience, and flexible launch options. 

The Nightray uses a flying-wing layout with blended lines and no vertical stabilizers, a configuration intended to reduce radar signature and improve aerodynamic efficiency. Army Recognition reported that the drone measures 1.77 meters in length, has a 4-meter wingspan, and a maximum takeoff weight of 140 kilograms. It carries a 30-kilogram warhead, can reach up to 500 kilometers per hour, and has a stated range of as much as 400 kilometers. 

LPP has paired the airframe with an internally integrated turbojet engine and a radar-deflecting material developed in-house, according to the report. The company says the aircraft relies on proprietary visual navigation linked to an autopilot, allowing it to continue its mission when GPS signals are jammed, degraded, or unavailable. For missions that require operator involvement, the drone can also be fitted with a jamming-resistant radio link for in-flight updates, telemetry, and human-in-the-loop control. 

The launch concept appears designed around dispersed operations. The Nightray can be launched by catapult, from a runway, or from roads using a reusable trolley system, which would reduce dependence on fixed infrastructure and support deployment from temporary operating locations. LPP describes the package as a complete system including the air vehicle, propulsion unit, warhead, mission-planning tools, onboard electronics, autopilot, and visual navigation system, with major components developed and manufactured in the Czech Republic. 

In operational terms, the platform is intended to strike command posts, radar sites, logistics facilities, communications nodes, and elements of integrated air defense systems. That target set, combined with its range and navigation architecture, places the Nightray in a segment between traditional loitering munitions and smaller cruise missile-type systems. The concept also reflects a broader industry trend toward lower-cost autonomous strike weapons able to operate in environments shaped by jamming, decoys, and dense air-defense coverage. 

For the Czech defense industry, the unveiling is notable because it highlights an attempt by a smaller European manufacturer to move into the long-range strike drone segment with a domestically developed product. If the system progresses beyond exhibition exposure and into procurement campaigns, it could draw interest from customers looking for a precision-strike option outside larger missile programs, particularly in regions where electronic warfare resilience is becoming a more prominent requirement.