Overview
- Airbus says two Kratos-built XQ-58A Valkyries are being prepared in Manching for first flights later this year with its MARS mission system installed.
- MARS includes the AI-supported MindShare framework intended to enable autonomous operations and manned–unmanned teaming.
- Airbus targets an operational Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft capability for the German Air Force by 2029, with the Airbus-configured Valkyrie’s maiden flight scheduled for 2026.
- Eurofighter command-and-control is being advanced through Litening 5 pod connectivity upgrades by Airbus and Rafael plus limited avionics changes.
- Airbus and Kratos frame the approach as rapid and affordable by combining a flight-tested platform flown since 2019 with a sovereign European mission layer positioned as “affordable mass.”