Airbus, in partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), has successfully completed 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, 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 (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.
“In an increasingly complex and contested threat environment, air forces require affordable combat mass,” said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defense 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 Valkyrie will also play a critical role in enhancing crewed combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter with extended range, firepower, and survivability. The aircraft design enables operational resilience through its rail launch capability, while offering conventional, runway based, take-off and landing as an option.”
“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. “We’re proud to be partnering with Airbus on the CCA opportunities in Germany and other parts of the world. 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.”
About the U740 Valkyrie
With a length of 9.1m and a wingspan of 8.2m, the U740 Valkyrie features an internal weapons bay and external payload stations under the wings. It has a maximum take-off weight of approximately three tons, a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, 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.
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Story and Image Credit: Airbus Media
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