Airbus U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft takes off for its maiden flight in Europe

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Ottobrunn / Taufkirchen, Germany, 12 October 2026 – In a significant advancement for uncrewed military aviation, Airbus, in collaboration with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), has successfully conducted the inaugural flight of the U740-Valkyrie in Europe. This pivotal achievement confirms the timeline for delivering a combat-ready uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by 2029, specifically tailored to meet the operational needs of the German and other European Armed Forces.

The maiden flight took place at a test facility in Northern Europe, achieving all flight objectives, which included a runway-independent rocket-assisted take-off, maneuvers at various altitudes, and speeds reaching Mach 0.8. The flight also demonstrated the ability to make in-flight mission adjustments. This successful debut sets the stage for subsequent, more complex flight tests utilizing Airbus’ Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system. Serving as the aircraft’s ‘European brain,’ the MARS system ensures comprehensive control over software, mission applications, data, and system hardware, thereby guaranteeing national autonomy for the operational usage of the Valkyrie. Enhanced by AI-driven software, MARS enables autonomous missions and the coordination of entire mission groups, with a strict control hierarchy that keeps a human operator in the decision-making loop, ensuring alignment with established rules of engagement and ethical standards.

“In an increasingly complex and contested threat environment, air forces require affordable combat mass,” stated Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. “By integrating Kratos’ proven airframe as a program of record with Airbus’ sovereign European mission system, we are positioned to deliver a robust, affordable, and combat-ready CCA system by the end of the decade. The Valkyrie will also enhance the capabilities of crewed combat aircraft like the Eurofighter, providing extended range, firepower, and survivability. Its design incorporates operational resilience through rail launch capability while also allowing for conventional, runway-based take-off and landing options.”

“First flights often present numerous learning opportunities, but thanks to the maturity of the Valkyrie system and the effective collaboration between Airbus and Kratos, this flight was an outstanding success,” noted Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos. “We are proud to partner with Airbus on CCA initiatives in Germany and other regions. This collaboration combines the strengths of Kratos and Airbus, fostering the development of an affordable Valkyrie system while enhancing Kratos’ CCA and drone manufacturing legacy through MARS and Airbus’ advanced subsystems, expertise, and extensive aerospace knowledge.”

About the U740 Valkyrie

The U740 Valkyrie measures 9.1 meters in length and has an 8.2-meter wingspan. Featuring an internal weapons bay and external payload stations located under its wings, the aircraft has a maximum take-off weight of approximately three tonnes, a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. The U740 Valkyrie is designed to operate either autonomously or under the command of crewed platforms like the Eurofighter, allowing it to undertake high-risk missions and safeguard crewed assets.

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