Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (UCCA)
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Kratos, Airbus Preparing Two Valkyries for First Flight with European Mission System
Globenewswire· 2026-03-13 11:00
Core Viewpoint - The joint team of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Airbus is making significant progress towards completing an integrated Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (UCCA) system for the German Air Force, with plans for a maiden flight later this year [1][2]. Group 1: Project Development - The collaboration aims to integrate the Kratos Valkyrie with the Airbus Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) mission system, addressing urgent needs in the current geopolitical climate [3]. - The maiden flight of the Airbus variant of the Valkyrie is scheduled for 2026, following the successful maiden flight of the Valkyrie in the USA in 2019 [4][8]. Group 2: Technical Specifications - The Valkyrie is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle with a length of 9.1 meters, a wingspan of 8.2 meters, a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, and a maximum take-off weight of around three tons, capable of flying at altitudes up to 45,000 feet [4]. - It is designed for both fully autonomous operations and command by a Eurofighter, capable of undertaking sensitive missions that may be too dangerous for pilots [5]. Group 3: Market Positioning - The Valkyrie is positioned as an affordable, multi-mission system that can operate independently or in teams, providing operational flexibility for both the Department of War and international customers [3][5]. - The collaboration emphasizes delivering credible combat capabilities at an affordable price, which is a key driver for UCCAs in the current market [3].