Valkyrie combat drone makes European debut with 3,100-mile range at Mach 0.8

Airbus and Kratos flew the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft in Europe for the first time. The drone performed a rocket-assisted takeoff without a runway, reached Mach 0.8 and adjusted mission parameters in flight; a combat-ready CCA for Germany is targeted for 2029.

• 9.1 m long, 8.2 m wingspan, maximum takeoff weight about three metric tons
• Range exceeds 3,100 miles, operating altitude up to 45,000 feet
• Rocket-assisted launch without a conventional runway and an internal weapons bay
• Missions to be run by Airbus' European MARS autonomous mission system