Airbus became a passenger carrier and built a war drone. Photo
Airbus has taken an important step to enter the European combat drone market. This European aerospace company has conducted the first test flight of the Valkyrie combat drone in Europe and hopes to provide its operational version to the German Air Force by 2029.
According to Ambassador Arjan, this drone is made by the American company Kratos and is supposed to be equipped with the European mission system of Airbus. According to Spiegel, the German Air Force plans to add unmanned combat aircraft to its military equipment. In this regard, Airbus and its partners are developing a system that can fly autonomously, be remotely piloted, or operate alongside manned fighters.
The Valkyrie test flight took place on September 29 in an area in Northern Europe. According to the director of the defense and space department of Airbus, this flight was carried out at different altitudes and conditions, and the drone reached a speed equal to Mach 0.8, which is about 80% of the speed of sound.
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One of the main goals of this test was to investigate the possibility of military drones operating in the complex European airspace and passing legal and technical obstacles related to their flight. Germany previously faced problems with European flight approvals for the Eurohawk drone project, and eventually abandoned the program in 2013.
Combination of American technology and European system
The Valkyrie was designed by the American company Kratos, but Airbus plans to install its own Mars mission system on it. This system will be responsible for managing missions, processing data and coordinating operations.
The next test flight is scheduled to be carried out with this system in the first quarter of 2027. Valkyrie is also scheduled to fly alongside the Eurofighter for the first time later that year.
Airbus emphasizes that the use of the European system can keep data control and mission management in Europe's hands; An issue that is particularly important considering the concerns about military dependence on America.
The cost of 20 million euros and the possible need for 500 drones
The director of the defense department of Airbus has estimated the cost of each Valkyrie around 20 million euros. According to him, the possible need of Germany may reach about 500 drones of this type; However, the final number and their precise missions have not yet been decided.
Among the proposed options are the use of these drones in air battles, attacking ground targets and electronic warfare. German Air Force officials are still determining operational requirements, and a clearer picture of the project's requirements is expected in the first half of 2027.
Airbus has also raised the possibility of producing these drones in Germany or other European countries; A subject that depends on the volume of orders.
Despite the success of the initial test, it is still not possible to talk about the purchase or delivery of 500 drones. What has become clear so far is Airbus' efforts to make the Valkyrie part of Europe's future combat capability and closer cooperation of unmanned aerial vehicles with manned fighters.