{"id":30263,"date":"2025-07-17T00:05:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T21:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=30263"},"modified":"2025-07-17T21:02:21","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T18:02:21","slug":"airbus-partners-with-kratos-to-deliver-uncrewed-combat-aircraft-valkyrie-to-german-luftwaffe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/airbus-partners-with-kratos-to-deliver-uncrewed-combat-aircraft-valkyrie-to-german-luftwaffe\/","title":{"rendered":"Airbus partners with Kratos to deliver uncrewed combat aircraft Valkyrie to German Luftwaffe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

4 minute read<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

European aerospace giant Airbus has joined forces with American defense manufacturer Kratos to deliver a tailored variant of the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned aerial system (UAS) to the German Air Force or Luftwaffe, with full combat readiness expected by 2029.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The agreement, disclosed on July 16, 2025, will integrate Airbus\u2019 platform-agnostic mission system into Kratos\u2019 rail-launched, low-observable Valkyrie airframe. The resulting configuration is intended to serve as a collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) capable of operating alongside manned platforms within the Luftwaffe\u2019s future force structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Uncrewed Force Multiplier<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flying since 2019, the XQ-58A Valkyrie<\/mark><\/a> has been in development under the U.S. Air Force\u2019s Low-Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology (LCAAT) program. This next-generation loyal wingman is designed to operate in coordination with manned fighter aircraft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With a maximum take-off weight of three tons, the Valkyrie is capable of delivering both kinetic and non-kinetic effects through autonomous or semi-autonomous missions. The platform boasts a range of 3,000 miles (4,828 km) and operational ceilings of up to 45,000 feet, enabling long-range penetration missions while minimizing risks to human pilots. Its rail-launched design enhances survivability by eliminating reliance on vulnerable runways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco emphasized the Valkyrie\u2019s modularity, readiness and design intent behind the Valkyrie platform: \u201cWe have designed the Valkyrie system to be an affordable and formidable CCA, paired in collaborative fashion with manned aircraft, a team of uncrewed aircraft, or a mix of both.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He further explained relevance of the upcoming European variant, which builds on extensive U.S.-based testing: \u201cBased on Valkyrie\u2019s proven flight capability, first demonstrated in 2019, and the many mission systems, autonomy systems, and mission scenarios tested with the system over time, we\u2019re excited about our partnership with Airbus, which will result again in a first-to-market Valkyrie variant, now \u2018tuned\u2019 for the European mission.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"U.S.<\/a>
A U.S. Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie, highly autonomous, low-cost tactical unmanned air vehicle, conducts its first test flight with a U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft assigned to 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, on October 3, 2023. (Image Credit: U.S. Air Force)<\/sup><\/em>

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n


Key features of XQ-58A Valkyrie<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n