A jet that shoots into the air from a trailer: the U740 Valkyrie needs no long runway. Rocket assistance brings the uncrewed aircraft up to speed before it continues on its own engine. Airbus and Kratos have now tested it in Europe for the first time.
Valkyrie is intended to become a fighter pilot’s flying teammate. It could scout ahead, gather information or carry out a dangerous task while the pilot remains farther away. The first European flight focused on the aircraft; teaming with European mission software will be expanded in subsequent tests.
The U740 is 9.1 metres long with an 8.2-metre wingspan. Airbus quotes a maximum takeoff weight of about three tonnes and a design range exceeding 5,000 kilometres. That range is a specification, not the distance flown during the test.
In northern Europe, Valkyrie flew at different altitudes, adjusted its mission in flight and reached Mach 0.8: eight tenths of the local speed of sound. It has underwing payload stations and an internal weapons bay.
A launch rail and rocket assistance remove the need for a conventional runway, giving an air force more options for dispersed launch locations. Airbus also describes conventional takeoff and landing as an option.
Kratos provides the American airframe. Airbus is adding the European MARS mission system to help the drone execute tasks autonomously and work with other aircraft.
For example, a pilot could assign an area to be surveyed without steering every turn. The mission system would handle part of the route and sensor operation. Other possible roles include electronic jamming and strikes; the actual capabilities depend on equipment and software.
The pilot gains extra eyes and options without a person in every aircraft. Airbus says critical decisions remain under human oversight. It targets a combat-ready European system in 2029, with more advanced MARS flight tests intended to bring that closer.
