The Airbus U740 Valkyrie during rocket-assisted take-off for its first European flight. Photo: Airbus.
On 12 October 2026, Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions conducted the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft's first European flight from a Northern European test facility that neither company has identified. The sortie achieved every objective, covering a runway-independent rocket-assisted take-off, manoeuvres at multiple altitudes, speeds reaching Mach 0.8 and mission adjustments made in flight.
The U740 combines a Kratos airframe and an Airbus mission system. Airbus describes the pairing as Kratos' proven "program of record" airframe with "Airbus' sovereign European mission system". The published length of 9.1 m, wingspan of 8.2 m and maximum take-off weight of roughly three tonnes correspond to those of the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie, whose first flight took place at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, on 5 March 2019.
Airbus revealed the partnership in July 2025 and, by April 2026, had two XQ-58A airframes at Manching in Bavaria. In March, the company had disclosed preparations to flight-test both Valkyries in Europe during 2026.
Airbus' Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system forms the core of the aircraft's European content. Airbus describes it as the aircraft's "European brain," providing full control of software, mission applications, data and system hardware. The company says MARS employs AI-enhanced software for autonomous missions and mission-group coordination, with a control hierarchy retaining a human on the loop for critical decisions in accordance with rules of engagement and legal standards.
The sortie on 12 October did not serve as the main demonstration of MARS; the mission system has yet to fly aboard the aircraft. According to the companies, the flight opens the way to more sophisticated follow-on flight tests using the MARS mission system.
The U740's published payload and performance features include an internal weapons bay, external underwing payload stations, a range of more than 5,000 km and a 45,000 ft service ceiling. Airbus said rail launch underpins the design's operational resilience, while conventional runway take-off and landing remain an option.
Airbus Defence and Space CEO Mike Schoellhorn said "air forces require affordable combat mass" in a complex and contested threat environment. He said the Valkyrie is designed to complement crewed fighters such as the Eurofighter, extending their range, firepower and survivability.
The aircraft supports autonomous operations as well as commands from crewed aircraft, with Airbus identifying the Eurofighter as a potential partner. Airbus said the flight demonstrates that the companies remain on course to deliver a combat-ready uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) by 2029 for German and other European armed forces.
Eric DeMarco, Kratos President and CEO, called the flight an "amazing success" given the maturity of the Valkyrie system and the integrated team from Airbus and Kratos. He said Kratos is working with Airbus to pursue CCA opportunities in Germany and elsewhere in the world.
The U740 belongs to Airbus' wider uncrewed portfolio, which also includes the U760 Ravenstorm uncrewed combat aircraft, unveiled in 2026. The Valkyrie campaign's next phase will shift the focus from the proven Kratos airframe to its European onboard systems, with additional flights planned to assess MARS and its autonomous mission capabilities.
