Germany’s Airbus Defence and Space has partnered with US-based Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to deliver the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) to the German Air Force by the year 2029. The collaboration aims to strengthen NATO’s transatlantic defense cooperation and bolster Europe’s autonomous military capabilities.
The XQ-58A, originally developed in 2019, is designed for both autonomous and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) missions. It can carry out both kinetic and non-kinetic operations as a “loyal wingman” alongside piloted aircraft. The proposed version for Germany will incorporate a platform-agnostic mission system developed by Airbus, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with multiple platforms.
This joint effort is a key step toward preparing European forces for the Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS) — the centerpiece of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) initiative shared by Germany, France, and Spain. By introducing the Valkyrie, Airbus intends to provide the German military with a low-cost, advanced training tool to master manned-unmanned teaming before the end of the decade.
