Airbus U740 Valkyrie Uncrewed Combat Aircraft Takes off for First European Test Flight
Key Highlights
- ➤Airbus and Kratos complete Europe’s first U740 Valkyrie flight
- ➤CCA delivery target set for 2029 for Germany and other European forces
- ➤Test reached Mach 0.8 with rocket-assisted, runway-independent takeoff
- ➤U740 Valkyrie offers over 3,000-mile range and 45,000-foot service ceiling
- ➤Airbus MARS mission system provides sovereign European software and autonomous coordination
Expert Statements
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space
“In an increasingly complex and contested threat environment, air forces require affordable combat mass today.”
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space
“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.”
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space
“The Valkyrie will also play a critical role in enhancing crewed combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter with extended range, firepower, and survivability.”
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space
“The aircraft design enables operational resilience through its rail launch capability, while offering conventional, runway based, take-off and landing as an option.”
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos
“First flights typically include plenty of learning opportunities, but with the maturity of the Valkyrie system and the well-integrated Airbus and Kratos team, this flight was an amazing success.”
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos
“We’re proud to be partnering with Airbus on the CCA opportunities in Germany and other parts of the world.”
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos
“Combining the strengths of Kratos and Airbus enables the affordable Valkyrie system and Kratos’ CCA and drone manufacturing legacy to evolve with MARS and Airbus’ other high-capability subsystems, experience, and extensive knowledge across the full aerospace spectrum.”
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., (NASDAQ: KTOS) a technology company in the defense, national security and global markets, and Airbus announced the successful completion of the first flight of the “U740-Valkyrie” in Europe. This key milestone confirms that Airbus and Kratos are on track to deliver a combat-ready uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by 2029, addressing the operational requirements of the German and other European Armed Forces.
Conducted at a test facility in Northern Europe, the flight achieved all objectives, including a runway-independent rocket-assisted take-off, maneuvers at various altitudes and speeds up to Mach 0.8, and in-flight mission adjustments. This debut paves the way for subsequent, more sophisticated flight tests with Airbus’ Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system. Serving as the aircraft’s “European brain” and ensuring full control over software as well as mission applications, data and system hardware, MARS enables national German or European sovereignty from operational usage of the Valkyrie. MARS utilizes AI-enhanced software to conduct missions autonomously and coordinate entire mission groups. A strict control hierarchy ensures a human remains on the loop, guaranteeing all critical decisions comply with established rules of engagement, as well as ethical and legal standards.
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