Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have flown the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft in Europe for the first time. The milestone advances their effort to deliver a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for Germany and other European military customers by 2029.
The aircraft completed a series of maneuvers during testing at an undisclosed facility in Northern Europe. Its performance included rocket-assisted takeoff without a conventional runway, flight at speeds reaching Mach 0.8, and adjustments to mission parameters in the air.
The partners now plan more advanced trials involving Airbus’ MARS mission system. The software will help the Valkyrie execute missions autonomously while preserving European control over its critical systems.
Valkyrie completes European debut
The U740 Valkyrie measures 9.1 meters (29.9 feet) long and spans 8.2 meters (26.9 feet). It has an internal weapons bay and additional payload stations beneath its wings.
The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of approximately three metric tons. Its range exceeds 3,100 miles, and it can operate at altitudes reaching 45,000 feet.
These specifications position the Valkyrie for missions that expose conventional aircraft and their crews to significant risks. It can operate independently or coordinate with crewed fighters, including the Eurofighter.
Airbus expects the drone to expand the reach and firepower of existing combat aircraft. Its design also offers a way to increase the number of available combat platforms without relying exclusively on expensive crewed fighters.
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MARS brings autonomous control
Airbus’ Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) system will provide theValkyriewith its European mission architecture. The system gives European operators control over mission applications, software, data, and hardware.
MARS uses AI-assisted software to manage autonomous missions and coordinate groups of aircraft. Human operators will retain oversight of the system, particularly when decisions involve established rules of engagement.
That arrangement gives European forces a way to adopt autonomous combat aircraft without surrendering control of their mission systems to an external supplier. Future flight tests will examine how MARS integrates with the Valkyrie’s existing capabilities.
Affordable mass drives development
AirbusDefence and Space CEO Mike Schoellhorn said modern air forces need affordable ways to increase combat capacity in increasingly contested environments.
“By pairing Kratos’ proven airframe as a ‘program of record’ with Airbus’ sovereign European mission system, we are able to offer a robust, sovereign, affordable, and combat-ready CCA system by the end of the decade,” Schoellhornsaid.
Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco also praised the first flight, citing the aircraft’s maturity and the integration work between both teams. He said the partnership could expand opportunities in Germany and other international markets.
The 2029 target gives the companies several years to mature the aircraft and its autonomous mission software. Subsequent tests will determine how effectively the Valkyrie can combine affordable production, flexible deployment, and coordinated operations alongside crewed fighters.
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Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have flown the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft in Europe for the first time. The milestone advances their effort to deliver a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for Germany and other European military customers by 2029.
The aircraft completed a series of maneuvers during testing at an undisclosed facility in Northern Europe. Its performance included rocket-assisted takeoff without a conventional runway, flight at speeds reaching Mach 0.8, and adjustments to mission parameters in the air.
The partners now plan more advanced trials involving Airbus’ MARS mission system. The software will help the Valkyrie execute missions autonomously while preserving European control over its critical systems.
Valkyrie completes European debut
The U740 Valkyrie measures 9.1 meters (29.9 feet) long and spans 8.2 meters (26.9 feet). It has an internal weapons bay and additional payload stations beneath its wings.
The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of approximately three metric tons. Its range exceeds 3,100 miles, and it can operate at altitudes reaching 45,000 feet.
These specifications position the Valkyrie for missions that expose conventional aircraft and their crews to significant risks. It can operate independently or coordinate with crewed fighters, including the Eurofighter.
Airbus expects the drone to expand the reach and firepower of existing combat aircraft. Its design also offers a way to increase the number of available combat platforms without relying exclusively on expensive crewed fighters.
More from Military
See AllMilitaryAnduril’s new missile swaps boosters to slash costs and take on hypersonic threatsMilitary21 US military satellites blast at 15,660 mph to hunt missile threats from spaceMilitarySpirit of Kitty Hawk: US’s most secretive bomber returns to Whiteman Air Force BaseMilitaryUS Navy’s 10,140-ton destroyer tests air defenses with two Nordic allies in BalticMilitaryPOINT@AIR: Tethered balloon radar could offer troops 30 days of nonstop surveillanceThe aircraft supports conventional runway operations, but its rail-launch capability offers another deployment option. Rocket assistance allows it to take off without depending on a traditional runway.
MARS brings autonomous control
Airbus’ Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) system will provide theValkyriewith its European mission architecture. The system gives European operators control over mission applications, software, data, and hardware.
MARS uses AI-assisted software to manage autonomous missions and coordinate groups of aircraft. Human operators will retain oversight of the system, particularly when decisions involve established rules of engagement.
That arrangement gives European forces a way to adopt autonomous combat aircraft without surrendering control of their mission systems to an external supplier. Future flight tests will examine how MARS integrates with the Valkyrie’s existing capabilities.
Affordable mass drives development
AirbusDefence and Space CEO Mike Schoellhorn said modern air forces need affordable ways to increase combat capacity in increasingly contested environments.
“By pairing Kratos’ proven airframe as a ‘program of record’ with Airbus’ sovereign European mission system, we are able to offer a robust, sovereign, affordable, and combat-ready CCA system by the end of the decade,” Schoellhornsaid.
Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco also praised the first flight, citing the aircraft’s maturity and the integration work between both teams. He said the partnership could expand opportunities in Germany and other international markets.
The 2029 target gives the companies several years to mature the aircraft and its autonomous mission software. Subsequent tests will determine how effectively the Valkyrie can combine affordable production, flexible deployment, and coordinated operations alongside crewed fighters.
Get the latest in engineering, tech, space & science - delivered daily to your inbox.
By subscribing, you agree to our
Terms of Useand
PoliciesYou may unsubscribe at any time.
0
COMMENT
Subscribe to
Today!
Access to exclusive content, expert insights and a deeper dive into engineering and tech. No ads, no limits.
Explore Now!By
Aamir KhollamAamir is a seasoned tech journalist with experience at Exhibit Magazine, Republic World, and PR Newswire. With a deep love for all things tech and science, he has spent years decoding the latest innovations and exploring how they shape industries, lifestyles, and the future of humanity.
- 1World's largest diesel reactor could turn fuel into hydrogen for army vehicles, camps
- 2Museum pays tribute to Apple with a Cray-1 supercomputer made of 30 vintage Mac Minis
- 3Scientists develop new catalyst for zinc-air batteries to run for over 300 hours
- 4US scientists grow better perovskite crystals, boost solar cell efficiency to 26%
- 5Video: Worm-like robot shifts its own weight to crawl over rocks, climb steps and swim
