Airbus Prepares Drone of the Future for Luftwaffe
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Airbus is focused on multiple fronts. While developing the “Bird of Prey,” a new aircraft capable of taking down kamikaze drones like the Shahed, the European manufacturer’s Defence and Space division is working hard to deliver another innovation to the German Luftwaffe by 2029. The German Air Force will soon have a new system of collaborative combat drones (UCCA type) as indicated by the European aircraft manufacturer with main activities based in Toulouse and Hamburg. Here’s the breakdown.
Premier Vol Anticipated in 2026
In Germany, two Valkyrie drones provided by American company Kratos are being prepared for their first flight. The Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie is a stealth combat drone model originally developed for the US Air Force.
In Manching, near Munich, the aircraft is being readied for its first flight scheduled for sometime in 2026, according to Airbus. The partnership between the two companies aims to integrate, optimize, and deliver the UCCA system.
Pilot and Coordination Replaced by Artificial Intelligence
Airbus is outfitting these combat drones with its sovereign European mission system, called MARS (Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure), featuring AI-controlled software. This system can not only replace absent pilots but also coordinate entire mission groups on various platforms with or without crew.
“Providing a Credible Combat Capability at the Right Time”
By combining Kratos Valkyrie with the MARS mission system, Airbus is fulfilling the urgent needs of Germany and Europe in the current geopolitical landscape. The offering includes a proven combat drone with a European sovereign mission system, eliminating the need for costly development time, as noted by Marco Gumbrecht from Airbus Defence and Space.
Our goal is to provide a credible combat capability at the right time while ensuring national sovereignty. We are confident in achieving this at a very affordable price, a key factor for combat drones.
Integrating Airbus’ MARS system into Valkyrie, Steve Fendley, President of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, sees the drone operating independently within drone squadrons or combined crew and drone operations.
Drones for High-Risk Missions
Airbus is also developing a collaborative aerial combat system for Luftwaffe, combining the Eurofighter with Valkyrie combat drones. This setup allows the Eurofighter to operate as a command aircraft, directing unmanned drones for high-risk missions. This ensures safety in hazardous missions too risky for a pilot.
To fulfill this command role, the Eurofighter must be adapted with enhanced targeting technology and avionics updates to ensure real-time connectivity between platforms, significantly increasing its combat lethality.
Key Technical Data and Intervention Areas
The Kratos Valkyrie measures 9.1m in length, with an 8.2m wingspan and an autonomy exceeding 5,000 kilometers. It can reach altitudes of 13,700m (45,000 feet). The first flight of the Airbus version is expected in 2026, with the complete system becoming “operational by 2029.”
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