Key Takeaways
- Two Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drones are being outfitted with European mission systems at Airbus’s Manching, Germany location for inaugural test flights
- Initial flight testing is scheduled for late 2026, supporting Germany’s objective of fielding operational combat drones by 2029
- The Valkyries will feature Airbus’s MARS (Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure) platform, incorporating artificial intelligence to synchronize crewed and uncrewed platforms
- Collaboration between Airbus and Rafael is enhancing the Eurofighter’s Litening 5 targeting pod to enable drone command-and-control capabilities
- The Valkyrie platform boasts a 5,000km+ operational range, 45,000-foot altitude capability, and completed its maiden flight in the U.S. during 2019
Airbus has announced significant progress in its initiative to flight-test two Kratos-manufactured combat drones equipped with European mission architecture, with initial flights anticipated before year-end.
The platforms — identified as Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie units — are undergoing preparation at Airbus’s Manching facility located near Munich. The initiative aims to deliver a fully operational capability to Germany’s Air Force by the close of the decade.
This collaboration merges Airbus’s software development capabilities with Kratos’s unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturing expertise. Instead of developing an entirely new airframe, Airbus is integrating its proprietary command-and-control architecture into the proven Valkyrie platform to accelerate timeline execution.
The MARS platform is being integrated into these unmanned systems by Airbus. The acronym represents Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure technology. Central to this system is MindShare, an artificial intelligence software suite engineered to replicate pilot decision-making and orchestrate formations comprising both piloted and autonomous aircraft during operational scenarios.
According to the aerospace manufacturer, merging a battle-tested airframe with European-designed mission architecture reduces both development duration and expenses — while maintaining European sovereignty over critical software components.
Advanced Mission Systems and Artificial Intelligence
Kratos Unmanned Systems President Steve Fendley characterized the Valkyrie-MARS combination as delivering a “multi-mission, affordable system” capable of independent operations, collaborative drone formations, or integration with piloted aircraft.
Marco Gumbrecht, Airbus’s Head of Key Account Germany, emphasized that this approach provides Germany and broader Europe with a validated platform without requiring comprehensive indigenous development — a capability he described as essential considering contemporary security challenges.
The Valkyrie completed its inaugural flight in American airspace during 2019 and has undergone continuous evaluation since. Airbus has set late 2026 as the target timeframe for the platform’s first European operational test.
The unmanned aircraft features a 9.1-metre fuselage with an 8.2-metre wing span. Its operational specifications include a range surpassing 5,000 kilometres, a service ceiling of 45,000 feet, and a maximum takeoff mass approaching three metric tons.
Eurofighter Command Platform Integration
The initiative additionally encompasses modifications to the Eurofighter Typhoon to enable command authority over the unmanned systems during operational deployments.
Airbus is collaborating with Rafael to enhance the Litening 5 Advanced Targeting Pod, currently deployed on Eurofighter platforms, by incorporating enhanced communication capabilities. Complementary avionics modifications to the fighter aircraft are also under development.
These enhancements will enable Eurofighter pilots to exercise direct control over Valkyrie units throughout combat engagements in real-time.
The Valkyrie is engineered for both kinetic strike and non-kinetic operations — encompassing missions deemed excessively dangerous for human crews. According to Airbus, these drones can function completely autonomously or under direct supervision from manned fighter aircraft.
For Germany’s specific program requirements, Airbus and Kratos are initially concentrating on a defined operational capability to achieve the 2029 delivery objective.
