The system made its public debut at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, the world's largest international defense exhibition.
Compared to the original version, the P1-SUN Long offers significantly improved performance. According to SkyFall, the drone has a maximum range of 33 km, a practical ceiling of up to 9 km, an 800-gram warhead, and a top speed exceeding 310 km/h.
Read more: Ukraine Deploys P1-SUN and Merops Drones From An-28 to Intercept Shahed Drones for the First Time
For comparison, the original P1-SUN reportedly had an operational range of 15-23 km, a ceiling of up to 5 km, the same 800-gram warhead, and a maximum speed of more than 300 km/h.
One of the most important upgrades is the integration of onboard artificial intelligence. The new system can independently detect, track, and maintain target lock, reducing operator workload while enabling faster and more accurate interceptions.
Notably, the AI module uses a standard processor rather than high-end graphics processing units (GPUs), which have become increasingly expensive and difficult to obtain amid growing demand for AI hardware. According to the company, this approach should help maintain stable production even if supply-chain pressures intensify.
To train the onboard AI, SkyFall used thousands of hours of real-world flight data and simulations. The company also employed a dedicated drone that replicates the thermal signature of a Shahed-type UAV, allowing the system to be trained under realistic conditions.
The P1-SUN Long is integrated with SkyFall's remote-control network, enabling operators to control the interceptor from any location with internet access. The drone also supports remote software and AI updates, including while deployed in operational areas.
According to SkyFall, the P1-SUN Long is already defending Ukrainian airspace. The company says Ukrainian Defense Forces have used the interceptor to destroy dozens of russian Shahed drones. The original P1-SUN, meanwhile, has reportedly been credited with intercepting thousands of russian UAVs.
Earlier this year, the original P1-SUN, together with several other FPV interceptor drones, became the first system of its kind in the world to be integrated aboard an An-28 aircraft. The concept effectively transformed a conventional transport aircraft into a dedicated anti-Shahed platform.
The unveiling of the P1-SUN Long comes shortly after SkyFall announced cooperation with Airbus. That partnership could eventually see Ukrainian-developed interceptor technologies incorporated into a broader European counter-drone architecture, further expanding their role beyond the battlefield in Ukraine.
Read more: 10,000 russian Drones Downed, so SkyFall, Airbus Sign Partnership at ILA — Ukraine's P1-SUN Interceptor Could Become Part of Europe's Sky Shield
