Berlin – Airbus Defence and Space announced that its Valkyrie combat drone completed its inaugural European flight on September 29, marking a key milestone for the program that aims to supply the German Air Force by 2029. The test, conducted over northern Europe, showed the unmanned aircraft could reach speeds up to Mach 0.8 and operate at various altitudes, according to Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn.
Developed by US‑based Kratos Defense, the Valkyrie is a rail‑launched uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) with a range exceeding 5,000 km. While the European debut did not yet feature Airbus’s European mission system, the flight demonstrated that regulatory hurdles in Europe’s complex airspace can be overcome.
Partnership and future testing
In 2025, Airbus and Kratos formed a partnership to deliver combat‑ready drones capable of autonomous flight, remote piloting, or teaming with Eurofighter jets. Schoellhorn said the next test flight, scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, will incorporate Airbus’s MARS Mission System, and a joint flight with a Eurofighter is planned for later that year.
Cost and production outlook
The company estimates each Valkyrie unit will cost around €20 million ($22.4 million) and projects German demand at roughly 500 aircraft. Schoellhorn noted that the German Air Force is still defining exact requirements—whether the drones will focus on air‑to‑air combat, air‑to‑ground strikes, or electronic warfare.
He also floated the possibility of German or broader European production if order volumes justify it, emphasizing that the central data‑processing and mission‑management elements are designed in Europe, providing a pragmatic compromise to concerns about reliance on US platforms.
Competitive landscape
Airbus joins a crowded field of defense contractors, including Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Atomics, Anduril Industries and Saab, all vying for a share of the emerging multibillion‑dollar uncrewed combat aircraft market.
Earlier attempts to field European drones, such as the 2013 cancellation of the Northrop‑developed Euro Hawk, were hampered by certification challenges. The successful Valkyrie test suggests those obstacles are being addressed, paving the way for a new generation of European‑integrated combat drones.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
