Germany considers large Valkyrie drone order

Germany may order up to 500 units of the Valkyrie drone, a combat aircraft developed by Airbus in partnership with Kratos, according to Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus & Space. The potential purchase would equip the German military with advanced unmanned systems by 2029.

Valkyrie’s first test flight successful

Airbus announced on October 12 that the Valkyrie completed its first test flight, which included a rocket-assisted takeoff without a runway, maneuvers at various altitudes and speeds, and mission adjustments during flight. The flight met all its objectives and was conducted in late September in Northern Europe.

Valkyrie’s specifications and capabilities

The Valkyrie is more than nine meters long with an eight-meter wingspan. It has a maximum takeoff weight of three tons, a range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, and an operational ceiling of 45,000 feet. It is equipped with an internal weapons bay and external payload points for versatility in combat scenarios.

European mission system enhances autonomy

The Valkyrie will be integrated with the MARS system, a European mission control platform that uses artificial intelligence to manage missions autonomously. This system allows for secure, reconfigurable, and sovereign control of the drone’s operations by German or European forces.

Human oversight remains in decision-making

While the MARS system enables autonomous mission execution, Airbus emphasizes that a human will always be involved in the decision-making process. This ensures compliance with ethical and operational standards in the use of autonomous military technology.