Airbus and Kratos Complete U740 Valkyrie Flight
The uncrewed aircraft successfully performed its first European test flight using rocket-assisted take-off maneuvers.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Robotics
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Airbus and Kratos successfully completed the first European flight test of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed aircraft in Northern Europe. During the mission, the autonomous system reached speeds of up to Mach 0.8 at various altitudes.
Why it matters
The program aims to satisfy the operational requirements of German and European armed forces. By utilizing artificial intelligence, the system is designed to grant European nations sovereignty over their own operational deployments.
The U740 Valkyrie measures 9.1 metres long with an 8.2-metre wingspan and a maximum take-off weight of roughly three tonnes. The aircraft operates with a service ceiling of 45,000 feet.
The players
Airbus
An international aerospace corporation that designs, manufactures, and sells civil and military aeronautical products globally.
Kratos
A technology company specializing in defense and security, focusing on unmanned systems and satellite communications.
The details
The aircraft utilized rocket-assisted take-off technology and autonomous flight software to execute its test maneuvers. Engineers plan to incorporate the Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure mission system in future testing iterations.
Timeline
The first European flight of the U740 Valkyrie occurred on 2026-10-24.
A combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft is targeted for 2029.
The Tech Race
The testing of the U740 Valkyrie represents a significant advancement in the development of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. This effort underscores a push toward autonomous systems that aim to replace or augment legacy manned platforms in modern defense strategies.
The success of this mission indicates a shift toward more autonomous defense infrastructure that may influence regional security spending. As these technologies mature, they will likely change how aerospace companies design and maintain software-defined mission systems.
The takeaway
Autonomous aircraft capable of long-range missions are becoming a priority for European defense integration. Developers are now focused on refining mission systems to meet the 2029 deadline for a fully combat-ready fleet.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest innovations in Robotics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Themachinemaker.
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