Kratos Airbus Valkyrie completes European test flight

• Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS) and Airbus completed the first European test flight of the U740-Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft, achieving flight objectives at a Northern European test facility.
• The aircraft completed rocket-assisted take-off without a runway, altitude and speed maneuvers, and reached speeds of up to Mach 0.8 during the test.
• The companies said the program remains aimed at delivering a combat-ready collaborative combat aircraft by 2029 for European military requirements.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ:KTOS) and Airbus completed the first European test flight of the U740-Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft, with the flight meeting planned objectives including autonomous flight operations and mission adjustments.

The test included rocket-assisted take-off without a runway, flight maneuvers across different altitudes and speeds, and operations reaching speeds of up to Mach 0.8 at a Northern European testing location.

The companies said the flight demonstrated the aircraft’s ability to conduct in-flight mission adjustments and supports continued development toward a collaborative combat aircraft program.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Airbus said they remain on schedule toward their stated goal of delivering a combat-ready collaborative combat aircraft by 2029.

Kratos develops defense and aerospace systems, while Airbus produces commercial and military aircraft, with both companies involved in developing autonomous aviation technologies.