Translation note: This article was translated with the assistance of AI.
Airbus and U.S. defense contractor Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have completed the first European flight of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft. The aircraft took off without a runway using a rocket-assisted launch system and reached speeds of up to Mach 0.8. The two companies aim to make the American aircraft platform operational with a European mission system by 2029.
According to Airbus, all test objectives were achieved during the flight at a test facility in Northern Europe. These included maneuvers at various altitudes and speeds, as well as in-flight adjustments to the mission profile. The Valkyrie was launched from a rail system with rocket assistance, allowing it to operate from locations where no suitable runway is available.
Airbus says the aircraft can alternatively perform conventional takeoffs and landings at airfields.
European MARS Mission System to Enable Autonomous Operations
The U740 is based on the XQ-58A Valkyrie developed by U.S. defense contractor Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. The original aircraft made its maiden flight in the United States on March 5, 2019, and was subsequently used in various American research and flight test programs. Airbus is further developing the U740 with the aim of equipping it with its own MARS mission system (Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure). The objective is to have an operational uncrewed combat aircraft system that meets the requirements of the German armed forces and other European militaries by 2029.
Developed by Airbus, the MARS mission system is a central component of the program. It is designed to control autonomous flight operations and enable multiple crewed and uncrewed aircraft to operate together. MARS uses AI-based software to coordinate mission activities and adapt them to changing operational conditions.
Airbus emphasizes the importance of retaining control over the system’s software, mission applications, data, and hardware. This is intended to give European armed forces control over the operational use of the Valkyrie, even though the underlying aircraft platform originates in the United States. Airbus also envisages a defined hierarchy of control, with humans overseeing autonomous operations and ensuring compliance with military rules of engagement and legal requirements.
MARS was not used during the recently announced European maiden flight. Integration and testing of the European mission system are planned for subsequent phases of the flight test program.
The flight also had regulatory significance. Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, told Reuters that it represented an important step toward obtaining the approvals required for the project.
U740 Valkyrie to Operate Alongside the Eurofighter
As a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), the U740 is intended to operate alongside crewed fighter aircraft. Airbus specifically identifies the Eurofighter as a potential partner, with additional uncrewed aircraft expected to extend its operational capabilities. Possible missions include operations in heavily defended airspace, where the risks to the crews of conventional fighter aircraft are particularly high.
The Valkyrie is 9.1 meters (29.9 feet) long and has a wingspan of 8.2 meters (26.9 feet). Its maximum takeoff weight is approximately three metric tons. According to the manufacturer, the aircraft has a range of more than 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles) and a service ceiling of approximately 13,700 meters (45,000 feet). It features an internal weapons bay, while additional payloads can be carried on external hardpoints beneath the wings.
Which of these capabilities will ultimately be available in a future European operational configuration will depend on further system integration and qualification.
Operational Readiness Targeted for 2029
Airbus and Kratos aim to deliver an operationally ready system by 2029. Further flight tests incorporating the European mission system are planned. According to Reuters, an initial test is scheduled for early 2027. A first formation flight involving the Eurofighter is also planned for later that year.
For Airbus, the Valkyrie is the first step toward establishing a family of uncrewed combat aircraft. The company is also developing the larger U760 Ravenstorm, a platform intended for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions as well as electronic warfare. Airbus presented the concept at the ILA Berlin Air Show in June 2026.
Images: © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2026