Airbus SE (AIR.PA) shares rose 0.18% to €188.14 on Monday, adding €0.34 in a session marked by intraday swings and a midday dip. The modest advance came as the company and its partner Kratos Defense & Security Solutions completed the U740 Valkyrie's first European flight, a milestone in their effort to field a combat-ready autonomous aircraft for European armed forces by 2029.

Airbus and Kratos Complete First European Valkyrie Flight

The test was conducted at a facility in Northern Europe and marked a significant step in the two companies' defense partnership. The Valkyrie executed a rocket-assisted takeoff that required no conventional runway infrastructure, then performed a series of maneuvers across multiple altitudes and accelerated to Mach 0.8.

During the flight, the aircraft successfully handled mission adjustments and completed all planned test objectives. The results establish a foundation for further trials involving more advanced autonomous flight systems, and Airbus plans to integrate its Multi-platform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system into subsequent flights.

The partners aim to deliver an operational Collaborative Combat Aircraft — an uncrewed jet built to fly alongside crewed fighters and extend their reach rather than replace them — to German and other European military forces by 2029. The program responds to growing demand for affordable aircraft that support conventional fighter operations, and Airbus expects the platform to expand military capabilities without requiring an additional crewed combat aircraft for every mission. For air forces weighing the concept, the appeal is capacity: an uncrewed aircraft that can absorb higher-risk assignments adds capability that would otherwise demand additional crewed combat aircraft.

MARS System Supports Autonomous Combat Operations

Airbus developed MARS to keep European control over the Valkyrie's software, mission applications, and operational data. Control of that software layer is the basis of the military-independence argument Airbus attaches to the program. The system uses artificial intelligence to manage autonomous missions and coordinate multiple aircraft during operations, while its command structure keeps human operators responsible for critical decisions and compliance with engagement rules.

Airbus Defence and Space CEO Mike Schoellhorn identified affordable combat capacity as a priority for modern air forces. Combining Kratos' aircraft technology with European mission software, he said, supports military independence, and the partnership also aims to improve the operational reach and protection of existing fighter aircraft.

Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco, meanwhile, highlighted the successful integration between the two engineering teams during the initial flight, attributing the test results to the aircraft's established design and coordinated development work. Under the division of roles, Kratos contributes drone manufacturing experience while Airbus supplies mission technology and broader aerospace expertise.

Valkyrie Specifications Strengthen European Defense Plans

The U740 Valkyrie measures 30 feet long with a wingspan of 27 feet. Its maximum takeoff weight exceeds 6,000 pounds, its operating range extends beyond 3,000 miles, and the aircraft can conduct assigned missions at altitudes reaching 45,000 feet.

The drone also carries an internal weapons compartment designed for air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions. Military operators can deploy it independently or coordinate its missions with crewed fighters, a configuration that allows the aircraft to take on dangerous assignments while reducing exposure for human pilots.

Airbus additionally designed the system to support both conventional runway operations and alternative launch methods, capabilities that could improve deployment flexibility across European military facilities and contested operational environments.

With the first European flight complete, the program advances on schedule as Airbus and Kratos prepare additional tests ahead of their 2029 target for a combat-ready Valkyrie. The markers to watch from here are the planned MARS integration into subsequent flights and the progression toward more advanced autonomous flight trials — the steps the partners have laid out between now and operational service with German and other European forces.