European defense giant partners with U.S. manufacturer to deliver unmanned Valkyrie aircraft by 2029
Airbus Defence & Space and Kratos Defense and Security Solutions announced a strategic partnership Tuesday to develop an operational combat drone for the German air force, targeting deployment before 2030.
The collaboration, unveiled July 16, centers on adapting Kratos’s proven XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aircraft with an Airbus-designed mission system specifically for German military requirements. The companies aim to have the system combat-ready by 2029.
The partnership represents a significant transatlantic defense cooperation, combining Kratos’s established drone platform with Airbus’s European mission systems expertise. The Valkyrie will be equipped with what Airbus describes as a “platform-agnostic system architecture” designed to integrate seamlessly with existing and future military platforms.
“Our customers have expressed an urgent demand for both attritable and non-attritable collaborative combat aircraft,” said Mike Schoellhorn, chief executive of Airbus Defence & Space. “The collaboration of Kratos and Airbus, based on an existing and proven UAS platform and featuring a sovereign multi-platform mission system, will deliver crucial capabilities for our warfighters in Europe before the end of the decade.”
Schoellhorn emphasized the broader strategic implications, noting that “this partnership will help to accelerate Europe’s ability to defend itself while fostering NATO’s transatlantic ties.”
Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco highlighted the proven capabilities of the Valkyrie platform, which first flew in 2019. “Based on Valkyrie’s proven flight capability, first demonstrated in 2019, and the many mission systems, autonomy systems, and mission scenarios tested with the system over time, we’re excited about our partnership with Airbus, which will result again in a first to market Valkyrie variant, now ‘tuned’ for the European mission,” DeMarco said.
The XQ-58A Valkyrie, with a maximum takeoff weight of 6,610 pounds, has undergone extensive testing with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps. The aircraft has successfully demonstrated collaborative flight operations with manned fighter jets, showcasing its potential as a “loyal wingman” system.
Currently available as a rail-launched system, the Valkyrie provides military forces with a cost-effective unmanned platform for various combat scenarios. Kratos is also developing a version equipped with conventional landing gear to expand operational flexibility.
The partnership announcement comes as European nations increasingly seek to bolster their defense capabilities amid evolving security challenges. The German air force’s interest in unmanned collaborative combat aircraft reflects a broader trend toward integrating autonomous systems with traditional manned aircraft.
The collaboration also signals growing cooperation between American and European defense manufacturers, as both sides of the Atlantic work to strengthen military capabilities while maintaining interoperability standards across allied forces.
Key Takeaways
- Partnership formed: Airbus Defence & Space and Kratos Defense announced a collaboration July 16 to develop combat-ready unmanned aircraft for Germany’s air force by 2029.
- Proven platform: The partnership leverages Kratos’s XQ-58A Valkyrie, which has demonstrated collaborative flight with manned fighters since its 2019 debut and undergone extensive U.S. military testing.
- European adaptation: Airbus will equip the 6,610-pound aircraft with a sovereign mission system designed for seamless integration across existing and future military platforms.
- Strategic significance: The collaboration aims to accelerate European defense capabilities while strengthening NATO’s transatlantic partnerships in unmanned combat aircraft development.
