Key facts
- Airbus conducted the first European test flight of the Kratos Defense Valkyrie drone on September 29.
- The drone flew at Mach 0.8 at various altitudes and attitudes.
- Airbus aims to integrate the Valkyrie drone with Eurofighter jets.
- Combat drones are planned to be supplied to the German Air Force by 2029.
- The Valkyrie drone has a range exceeding 5,000 km.
- The estimated cost per unit for the Valkyrie drone is €20 million.
Airbus successfully completed the first European test flight of the US-built Valkyrie drone on September 29, a significant step towards its goal of integrating the uncrewed combat aircraft with Eurofighter jets. The flight, which reached Mach 0.8 at various altitudes, aimed to demonstrate that regulatory barriers to integrating military drones into European airspace can be overcome.
Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn described the flight as a complete success and a major step in obtaining the necessary clearances for the project. The company partnered with US-based Kratos Defense, the developer of the Valkyrie drone, with a stated aim to supply the German Air Force by 2029 with combat drones capable of autonomous flight, remote piloting, or teaming with Eurofighters. The drone is based on Kratos' rail-launched uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) Valkyrie, boasting a range exceeding 5,000 km, and will eventually be equipped with Airbus' MARS Mission System.
Airbus is competing in a growing global defense market for uncrewed combat aircraft. Schoellhorn indicated that the next test flight, incorporating the MARS Mission System, is scheduled for the first quarter of 2027, with the first teaming flight alongside a Eurofighter jet planned for later that year. The cost of each Valkyrie drone is estimated at around €20 million, with the German Air Force potentially needing around 500 CCAs. Schoellhorn noted that the German Air Force is still clarifying its specific requirements for the drone's operational roles.
Addressing concerns about dependence on the US, Schoellhorn stated that equipping an existing US platform with a European mission system represents a pragmatic compromise, emphasizing that the core elements for data processing and mission management are designed in Europe. This approach seeks to balance technological advancement with European strategic interests.