Czech firm LPP showed two deep-strike systems at the Dubai Airshow: the turbojet MTS Narwhal cruise missile and the MTS Nightray stealth one-way attack drone. Both center on visual navigation for autonomy in GPS-denied airspace, a capability already fielded on LPP’s MTS family.
At the Dubai Airshow, the Czech company LPP s.r.o. presented two advanced strike systems, developed locally, as revealed by @Praisethesteph on X. The company unveiled the MTS Narwhal cruise missile and the MTS Nightray, a one-way attack unmanned aerial system (OWA-UAS) focused on stealth. Both platforms are designed and manufactured entirely in-house in the Czech Republic, marking an expansion of the country’s defense technology base. The systems are explicitly designed to provide deep strike solutions capable of penetrating modern, contested airspace and, critically, navigating in environments where satellite navigation is actively denied. This launch addresses a clear demand signal generated by recent high-intensity conflicts, where GPS jamming has become a standard tactical reality. LPP’s solutions aim to provide a resilient means of holding high-value targets at risk.
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LPP Czech’s Narwhal missile (680 km) and Nightray stealth drone (400 km) offer complementary turbojet-powered deep strike assets (Picture source: LPP)
The MTS Narwhal is described as a conventional subsonic cruise missile intended to strike static targets located deep inside enemy territory. It uses a turbojet engine to propel a 120 kg warhead over an operational range listed at 680 kilometers, placing it firmly in the theater-strike category. With a maximum speed of 750 km/h and a low-altitude flight profile, the missile seeks to reduce detection and interception windows for enemy air defenses. The airframe is 4 meters long with a 2.6-meter wingspan, and the system reaches a maximum takeoff weight (MTOW) of 260 kg. LPP also emphasizes its flexible launch options: the Narwhal can be deployed from a ground catapult, a traditional runway, or even improvised roads using a proprietary reusable trolley launch system. This increases operational mobility and reduces the logistics footprint.
The MTS Nightray complements the Narwhal by focusing on stealth penetration. LPP characterizes the Nightray as a stealth OWA-UAS, essentially a loitering munition designed to infiltrate dense integrated air defense systems (IADS). Its low-observable design reportedly relies on an optimized flying-wing configuration, a custom radar-deflecting coating developed in-house, and a buried turbojet engine layout that reduces radar and infrared signatures. The drone is smaller in length than the Narwhal at 1.77 meters but features a larger 4-meter wingspan. It carries a 30 kg warhead and has a declared range of 400 kilometers, reaching speeds of up to 500 km/h. Like the Narwhal, it can be launched from a catapult or the reusable trolley system, allowing mixed-fleet operations from a shared infrastructure.
A key advantage common to both platforms is LPP’s “battle-proven Visual Navigation” suite. This technology, combined with a custom autopilot, enables fully autonomous flight and terminal navigation in heavily jammed areas where GNSS signals are denied or spoofed. This directly responds to lessons observed in recent conflicts. LPP also offers an optional jamming-resistant radio data link for operators requiring a human-in-the-loop function. This link provides telemetry, situational awareness, and the ability to adjust targeting dynamically according to the evolving Common Operational Picture. It enables deep-strike employment while maintaining emission control or, alternatively, direct operator control against mobile targets.
These developments from a Czech firm illustrate a broader transformation in the European defense landscape. They highlight the rising capability of Europe’s diversified industrial base to design and export long-range precision weapons, a domain previously dominated by a few major aerospace producers. For states seeking credible deep-strike options without depending on restrictive export policies from traditional suppliers, the Narwhal and Nightray offer a compelling alternative.
Their emergence in Czechia, a NATO member, suggests baseline interoperability with Alliance standards. However, their availability on the global market could influence regional military balances. The spread of cost-effective, jamming-resistant cruise missiles and stealth attack drones complicates air-defense planning worldwide. This evolution pushes armed forces toward multi-layered air-defense architectures and advanced counter-UAS solutions, while reinforcing the strategic relevance of autonomous systems to mitigate conventional disadvantages.