Airbus U740 Valkyrie Unmanned Combat Aircraft Completes Maiden Flight for Germany and European Forces

Airbus and Kratos announced on October 12, 2026, that the U740 Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft had completed its first European flight. The trial took place on September 29 at an undisclosed northern European location. The aircraft used a rocket-assisted, runway-independent launch and conducted maneuvers at different altitudes, reached approximately Mach 0.8 and accepted mission changes while airborne. Based on Kratos' Valkyrie design, which first flew in the United States in 2019, the U740 is being adapted for prospective operations alongside European crewed fighters including the Eurofighter. The partners are targeting a deployable capability in 2029, but this test did not demonstrate operational readiness or qualified weapon employment.