Category
Latest news

New Ukrainian Switchblade-Style Drone POPs In, Strikes Hard, and Flies Home

2 min read
Authors
Photo of Vlad Litnarovych
Vlad Litnarovych
Author
New Ukrainian Switchblade-Style Drone POPs In, Strikes Hard, and Flies Home
Illustrative image. The US-made Switchblade drone is being launched. (Source: AeroVironment)

A new Ukrainian-designed unmanned aerial vehicle, the POP Fly, is now ready for serial production and offers a rare combination of reconnaissance and strike capabilities, according to Oleksii Kolesnyk, Director of REACTIVE DRONE, in an interview with the Ukrainian defense outlet Militarnyi on July 3.

The system’s flexibility allows it to be adapted for a wide range of battlefield roles, from intelligence gathering to precision strikes, Kolesnyk said.

“The versatility of the POP Fly allows you to swap both its cameras and its warhead depending on the mission,” he added.

In its reconnaissance configuration, the POP Fly can return to base after completing a mission and land safely using a parachute recovery system. Its operational range in this mode is between 100 and 120 kilometers, making it suitable for deep surveillance missions behind enemy lines.

A new Ukrainian-designed unmanned aerial vehicle, POP Fly, during an exhibition. (Source: Militarnyi)
A new Ukrainian-designed unmanned aerial vehicle, POP Fly, during an exhibition. (Source: Militarnyi)

However, the drone can also be converted into a loitering munition, with a payload capacity between 2.5 and 5 kilograms. When equipped as a strike drone, its combat radius ranges from 50 to 100 kilometers, depending on the weight of the warhead.

The launch system for the POP Fly resembles that of the US-made Switchblade, using a tube-based launcher that allows rapid deployment from frontline positions.

The POP Fly is also designed to operate within an integrated ecosystem alongside REACTIVE DRONE’s other products, including the Shmavyk reconnaissance drone and the Kazhan bomber drone.

All of these platforms use compatible communication protocols and software for seamless battlefield coordination.

Currently, the drone is undergoing final testing. Once trials are complete, the system will enter the codification phase, enabling it to be formally adopted into Ukraine’s military procurement system.

The design philosophy behind the POP Fly appears similar to that of the American Switchblade family—systems already widely used by Ukraine.

For instance, the Switchblade 600, a US loitering munition, can fly up to 40 kilometers in 20 minutes and then loiter for another 20, giving it a total range of up to 90 kilometers. Its payload weighs around 15 kilograms.

While the POP Fly carries a smaller warhead than the Switchblade 600, its extended range and modular design give it an edge in adaptability for both tactical and strategic operations on Ukraine’s modern battlefield.

Earlier, Belgium and Turkey have officially joined the international drone coalition—an initiative designed to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities through cutting-edge unmanned technologies.

See all