Germany’s Airbus Defence and Space has partnered with U.S.-based Kratos Defense and Security Solutions to propose the XQ-58A Valkyrie unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) to the German Air Force, with delivery targeted by 2029.
The XQ-58A, under development since 2019, is designed to operate autonomously or in coordination with crewed aircraft as a “loyal wingman,” capable of executing both kinetic and non-kinetic missions. The joint offering includes a sovereign, platform-agnostic mission system developed by Airbus, designed for integration with multiple aircraft types.
This collaboration leverages a mature UAS platform with European mission system architecture, aiming to deliver vital operational capabilities to European forces while strengthening NATO’s transatlantic defense posture. The initiative complements broader efforts under the Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS), the centerpiece of the multinational Future Combat Air System (FCAS) involving Germany, France, and Spain.
Airbus is expected to promote the Valkyrie as a training and experimentation tool for the German Air Force to develop manned-unmanned teaming concepts. The XQ-58A can fly up to 3,000 miles (4,282 km) at altitudes reaching 45,000 feet (13,716 m), with a reported price tag below €10 million ($11.59 million).
