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Airbus Flies U740 Valkyrie Combat Drone in Europe

October 13, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Airbus flew the U740 Valkyrie combat drone in Europe for the first time.
The flight did not include the MARS mission system.
The drone is expected to cost around €20 million per unit.

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Strategic Implications

This flight may indicate Airbus's progress in developing a combat-ready uncrewed aircraft for the German Air Force by 2029. The absence of the MARS mission system suggests that the company is still working on integrating this critical component, which could impact the drone's operational sovereignty and competitiveness in the market.

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What Happened

European Sovereignty Pitch Takes Flight Without Key Mission System

Airbus and Kratos have successfully flown the U740 Valkyrie combat drone in Europe for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the development of a combat-ready uncrewed aircraft for the German Air Force. The flight, which took place on September 29, did not include the Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system, a key component of the drone’s sovereignty pitch. According to Airbus, the MARS system is expected to be integrated into the next flight test in early 2027. This development was first reported by Unknown Source.

Source | Originally Published: October 13, 2026

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