TechnologyAirbus is preparing two uncrewed combat aircraft for their first flight later this year as part of a program to develop a new type of military system designed to operate alongside fighter jets.
The aircraft are based on the XQ-58 Valkyrie, a jet-powered drone developed by U.S. company Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. Airbus acquired two units and is modifying them in Germany with its own mission system before flight testing begins.
These aircraft fall into a category known as Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (UCCA), which are designed to fly either independently or in coordination with piloted aircraft such as the Eurofighter. The concept allows air forces to deploy additional assets in combat without putting pilots at risk.
Airbus is equipping the drones with a European-developed mission system called MARS, short for Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure. The system includes artificial intelligence software that enables the aircraft to perform missions without a pilot on board and to coordinate with other aircraft in a group.
According to the company, the software can manage multiple drones and crewed aircraft simultaneously, distributing tasks across the formation during a mission.
The goal is to offer the German Air Force a ready-to-deploy system by 2029, using an existing aircraft platform combined with European-developed control systems rather than designing a new aircraft from scratch.
The Valkyrie has already been tested in the United States, with its first flight completed in 2019. Airbus is now adapting the aircraft to meet European requirements and integrating it with local systems.
In parallel, Airbus is working on upgrades to the Eurofighter that would allow it to act as a control platform for these drones. The enhancements include improvements to targeting pods and onboard systems to enable communication and coordination with uncrewed aircraft during operations.
The Valkyrie drone is about 9 meters long, has a wingspan of just over 8 meters and a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers. It can operate at altitudes of up to 45,000 feet and carry out a range of missions, including surveillance and strike operations.
Airbus and Kratos are focusing initially on specific mission roles as they prepare the system for operational use with Germany.
