Science & Tech · Space · 3 hrs ago
Valkyrie combat drone completes first flight test in Europe
Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions have flown their U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft in Europe for the first time.
The test took place at an undisclosed facility in Northern Europe and included a rocket-assisted takeoff without a conventional runway.
The aircraft reached speeds of up to Mach 0.8 and adjusted mission settings during flight.
The Valkyrie is designed to carry weapons and work alone or alongside crewed fighters such as the Eurofighter.
It has a stated range of more than 3,100 miles, and the companies are developing it for Germany and other European military customers.
Airbus plans to add its MARS system, which is intended to let the aircraft carry out missions autonomously while keeping European operators in control and human oversight in place.
The partners plan more advanced tests, with the aim of delivering a combat-ready system by 2029.
Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions flew the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft in Europe for the first time.
The aircraft completed maneuvers at an undisclosed facility in Northern Europe, including rocket-assisted takeoff and flight at up to Mach 0.8.
The companies are working toward delivering a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft for Germany and other European military customers by 2029.
Future trials are planned to test Airbus’ MARS mission system, which is designed to support autonomous missions while keeping control of critical systems with European operators.
- Who
- Airbus and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions flew the U740 Valkyrie.
- What
- The uncrewed combat aircraft completed its first flight in Europe.
- When
- Not stated
- Where
- An undisclosed facility in Northern Europe.
- Why
- The flight advances efforts to deliver a combat-ready Collaborative Combat Aircraft for Germany and other European military customers by 2029.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
This story does not have a timeline yet.
- Aircraft
- U740 Valkyrie
- Flight-test location
- Undisclosed facility in Northern Europe
- Top speed reported
- Mach 0.8
- Range
- More than 3,100 miles
- Target delivery
- 2029
What people are saying
By pairing Kratos’ proven airframe as a ‘program of record’ with Airbus’ sovereign European mission system, we are able to offer a robust, sovereign, affordable, and combat-ready CCA system by the end of the decade
Sources
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