Airbus Flies First Valkyrie CCA Demonstration, Targets Weapon Release Tests

Airbus and Kratos completed the U740 Valkyrie's first European flight, advancing their collaborative combat aircraft demonstrator for German and other European requirements. The trial used a runway-independent, rocket-assisted launch and included maneuvers at different altitudes, speeds up to Mach 0.8 and changes to the mission in flight. Subsequent testing will introduce Airbus's Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure mission system, while a weapons-release demonstration is targeted for 2028 and depends on securing a German contract. The partners aim to offer a combat-ready aircraft by 2029, with an internal weapons bay and external payload stations.