Brussels, Belgium, 13 March 2026 – In a strong push to provide the German Air Force with a functional Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (UCCA) system by 2029, Airbus is wholeheartedly engaged in preparations for the inaugural flight of the first two Valkyries acquired from Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS). These flights, expected to take place later this year in Manching, near Munich, will showcase a proprietary European mission system.
Airbus is integrating the Valkyries with its indigenous Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) system, which includes an AI-driven software component known as MindShare. This sophisticated system is designed not just to function as a surrogate for a missing pilot, but also to manage entire mission operations across a variety of manned and uncrewed platforms.
“By uniting the Kratos Valkyrie with our MARS mission system, we are delivering precisely what Germany and Europe critically require in today’s geopolitical climate: a tested uncrewed combat aircraft equipped with a sovereign European mission system that avoids the time-consuming and expensive process of new development,” stated Marco Gumbrecht, Head of Key Account Germany at Airbus Defence and Space. “Our aim is to ensure a reliable combat capability is achievable when it matters most, while safeguarding essential sovereign interests. We are confident this can be accomplished at a highly competitive price point – an essential consideration for UCCAs.”
Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled about the opportunity to contribute to this venture and the remarkable capabilities we are bringing to the table through our partnership with Airbus. By integrating the flight-tested and production-ready Valkyrie with the Airbus MARS mission system, we are creating a multi-mission, cost-effective platform that can execute missions autonomously, collaborate in UAS teams, or function in Manned-Unmanned-Teaming scenarios. Combined with the technical expertise and production support from both Airbus and Kratos, we are developing an optimal capability system that can be deployed as ‘affordable mass,’ a crucial differentiator in today’s complex wargames.”
Further enhancing interoperability, Airbus, in partnership with Rafael, is upgrading the Litening 5 Advanced Targeting Pod for the Eurofighter. This enhancement, which includes improved connectivity capabilities, is part of existing contracts for the Eurofighter fleet and aims to significantly boost the aircraft’s combat effectiveness.
Key technical data and operational capabilities
The Kratos Valkyrie features a length of 9.1 meters and a wingspan of 8.2 meters, boasting a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers and a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of around three tons. It is capable of reaching altitudes up to 45,000 feet. While the maiden flight of the Valkyrie took place in the USA in 2019, the Airbus variant is scheduled to take to the skies in 2026.
The Valkyrie can operate autonomously or under the direction of a Eurofighter, executing high-risk mission tasks where pilot safety is a concern. Designed to accommodate both kinetic and non-kinetic mission profiles, Airbus and Kratos are focusing initially on a specific role that will deliver timely and effective combat air power for the German customer.
Source: Airbus Defence and Space (2026-03-12)
