Airbus U740 Valkyrie completes first test flight in Europe

Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) announced the completion of the first European flight of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft, conducted at a test facility in Northern Europe on Oct. 12, 2026.

The flight included a rocket-assisted takeoff, maneuvers at various altitudes and speeds up to Mach 0.8, and in-flight mission adjustments. According to a joint statement, the companies aim to deliver a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2029, targeting the operational requirements of the German armed forces and other European militaries.

The aircraft will be paired with Airbus' Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system, described as the aircraft's European software and control platform. MARS uses AI-enhanced software to conduct missions autonomously while maintaining a human decision-maker in the command loop.

"In an increasingly complex and contested threat environment, air forces require affordable combat mass today," said 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."

The U740 Valkyrie measures 30 feet in length with a 27-foot wingspan and features an internal weapons bay. It has a maximum takeoff weight of over 6,000 lbs, a range exceeding 3,000 miles, and a service ceiling of 45,000 feet. The aircraft is designed to operate autonomously or alongside crewed fighters such as the Eurofighter.

"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," said Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos.

The companies said subsequent flight tests incorporating the MARS mission system are planned following this initial milestone.

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