OTTOBRUNN / TAUFKIRCHEN, Germany — Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have completed the first European flight of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft, marking a major test milestone in their effort to deliver a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the German Air Force and other European armed forces by 2029.
First European Flight
The flight was conducted on September 29, 2026, at a test facility in Northern Europe and met all planned objectives.
The U740 performed a runway-independent, rocket-assisted takeoff, manoeuvred at different altitudes and reached speeds of up to Mach 0.8. It also demonstrated in-flight changes to its mission.
The aircraft took off at around 10:30 a.m. using rocket boosters that separated after approximately two seconds. It initially flew a diamond-shaped pattern before transitioning to a longer racetrack profile. The test included flight levels of 10,000, 20,000 and 30,000 feet, acceleration and deceleration phases, and reconfiguration of a pre-planned route. The aircraft completed its recovery as planned and landed inside the designated area.
The ride of the Valkyrie ⚔️ With the successful first flight of the Airbus U740 Valkyrie in Europe, we are one step closer to introducing an operational uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to the German and other European Armed Forces. The flight achieved all objectives, including a rocket-assisted take-off, manoeuvers at various altitudes and speeds up to Mach 0.8, and in-flight mission adjustments. These learnings will pave the way for subsequent flight tests with our MARS mission system. Based on the Kratos-built airframe, we’re equipping the Valkyrie with our own mission system that will serve as the uncrewed CCA’s “European brain”. Ensuring full control over software as well as mission applications, data and system hardware, MARS enables German and European Armed Forces to operate the Valkyrie with full operational sovereignty. 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. Learn more: https://t.co/KggUSYkztO
— Airbus Defence (@AirbusDefence) October 12, 2026
MARS Mission System
The first European flight clears the way for further testing of Airbus' Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system.
Airbus describes MARS as the aircraft's “European brain.” The system is designed to keep the aircraft's software, mission applications, data and system hardware under German or European sovereign control.
MARS uses AI-enhanced software to support autonomous mission execution and coordination of groups of aircraft. A control hierarchy keeps a human in the loop so that critical decisions follow established rules of engagement and ethical and legal standards.
The next flight-test campaign is planned for mid-2027 and is expected to include the first increment of MARS. Teamed flights with Eurofighter aircraft are scheduled later in 2027.
U740 Valkyrie
The U740 is based on the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie, which first flew in the United States in 2019. Airbus revealed the U740 designation for the European variant at the ILA Berlin air show in 2026.
The aircraft is 9.1 metres long with an 8.2-metre wingspan. 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 features an internal weapons bay and external payload stations beneath its wings. It is designed for autonomous operation and can also be controlled by crewed aircraft such as the Eurofighter for high-risk missions.
Its rail-launch capability allows operations without fixed runways, while conventional runway takeoff and landing remain available as an option.
Airbus-Kratos Partnership
Airbus and Kratos announced their partnership in July 2025 to combine the established Valkyrie airframe with Airbus' European mission technology for the CCA programme.
Airbus has been preparing two Valkyrie aircraft acquired from Kratos for testing, initially at Manching near Munich.
Airbus Defence and Space CEO Mike Schoellhorn said the combination of Kratos' Valkyrie airframe and Airbus' sovereign European mission system is intended to provide an affordable and combat-ready CCA by the end of the decade. He also said the Valkyrie will support crewed combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter by extending their range, firepower and survivability.
Kratos President and CEO Eric DeMarco said the maturity of the Valkyrie system and cooperation between the Airbus and Kratos teams contributed to the successful flight. He said the partnership combines Kratos' drone manufacturing experience with Airbus' MARS mission system and other aerospace capabilities.
Airbus and Kratos are targeting a combat-ready system by 2029. No firm order has been placed yet, while Schoellhorn has indicated that the German Air Force could require around 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
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