Airbus Tests New Fighter Jet Companion Drone in First European Flight

2026-10-12 companies

Berlin, Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Airbus and Kratos completed Europe’s first test flight of the rocket-launched U740 Valkyrie drone, aiming to deliver low-cost, autonomous wingmen for fighter jets by 2029.

Successful Maiden Flight in Northern Europe

Airbus Defence and Space and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS) successfully completed the first European flight test of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft on October 12, 2026 [1][3]. The test occurred at an undisclosed facility in northern Europe, where the platform achieved a rocket-assisted takeoff and reached speeds up to Mach 0.8 [1][6]. During the flight, the aircraft performed maneuvers at various altitudes and demonstrated in-flight mission adjustments, meeting all primary objectives set for the maiden voyage [3][5]. This milestone marks a significant step in the transatlantic partnership aimed at delivering autonomous air combat capabilities to European armed forces [7].

Strategic Timeline and Operational Goals

The collaboration targets a 2029 delivery date for a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) system to the German Armed Forces and other European partners [1][7]. Airbus aims to integrate the U740 with crewed platforms, specifically the Eurofighter Typhoon, to enhance range, firepower, and survivability in contested environments [3][6]. The program addresses Germany’s strategic imperative to field advanced autonomous systems following the collapse of the Franco-German Future Combat Air System earlier in 2026 [1]. While the initial flight validated the airframe, the integration of the Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system is scheduled for subsequent testing phases [5][6].

Technical Specifications and Sovereignty

The U740 variant features a length of 9.14 meters, a wingspan of 8.23 meters, and a maximum takeoff weight exceeding 2,721.55 kilograms [3]. It boasts a service ceiling of 13,716 meters and a range exceeding 4,828.03 kilometers, derived from the proven Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie airframe [3][6]. A critical component of the European variant is the MARS mission system, described as the aircraft’s “European brain,” which ensures sovereign control over software, data, and hardware for German and European operators [4][5]. Although the MARS system was not installed for this specific test flight, its future integration is intended to enable human-on-the-loop control hierarchies and autonomous coordination [6][8].

Market Implications and Future Development

This development reflects a broader shift in procurement priorities toward lower-cost, high-attrition autonomous systems within the defense sector [1]. Airbus Defence and Space (OTC:EADSF) emphasizes the need for affordable combat mass to counter increasingly complex threat environments [7]. Concurrently, Airbus is developing the larger U760 Ravenstorm platform for air-to-air and electronic warfare roles, with an intended service entry in the early 2030s [6]. The success of the U740 program could influence future NATO interoperability standards for uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft [3][7].

Sources

Defense Contracting Autonomous Aircraft