- Airbus and Kratos completed the first flight of the U740-Valkyrie in Europe
- The flight achieved a runway independent rocket-assisted take-off and speeds up to Mach 0.8
- The U740 Valkyrie is on track for delivery as a combat-ready CCA by 2029
- The aircraft features the MARS mission system with AI-enhanced software
- The U740 Valkyrie has a range exceeding 5,000 kilometres
Airbus, in partnership with Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, has completed the first flight of the U740-Valkyrie in Europe. This milestone confirms that Airbus and Kratos are on track to deliver a combat-ready uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2029, addressing the operational requirements of the German and other European Armed Forces. The flight was conducted at a test facility in Northern Europe.
The flight achieved all objectives, including a runway independent rocket-assisted take-off, manoeuvres at various altitudes and speeds up to Mach 0.8, as well as in-flight mission adjustments. This debut paves the way for subsequent, more sophisticated flight tests with Airbus’ Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure mission system. MARS serves as the aircraft’s European brain and ensures full control over software as well as mission applications, data and system hardware. MARS utilises 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.
The U740 Valkyrie has a length of 9.1m and a wingspan of 8.2m. It features an internal weapons bay and external payload stations under the wings. It has a maximum take-off weight of approximately three tonnes, a range exceeding 5,000 kilometres and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. The U740 Valkyrie is engineered to operate autonomously or under the command of crewed fighters, such as the Eurofighter, to execute high-risk missions and protect crewed assets.
Mike Schoellhorn shared “In an increasingly complex and contested threat environment, air forces require affordable combat mass. 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. The Valkyrie will also play a critical role in enhancing crewed combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter with extended range, firepower, and survivability.”
