A U740 Valkyrie drone takes off on its maiden flight at a test range in Europe. Airbus, the drone’s manufacturer, has sought to market it to air forces in Europe, with an anticipated introduction date of 2029. (Courtesy of Airbus)

Flight of the Valkyrie: Another CCA Drone Has Taken Off

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American aerospace and defense companies have built a series of “loyal wingman” drones, intended to supplement the effectiveness of manned aircraft. Now Europe has one of its own.

The United States Air Force is currently conducting flight tests of the FQ-42 Vengeance and FQ-44 Fury, the first two production unmanned aircraft developed as part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. Last week, aerospace giant Northrop Grumman also announced that its YFQ-48A Talon Blue, now under development for the next CCA increment, had successfully completed its “first fully autonomous flight” over the Mojave Desert in California.

Halfway across the world in Europe, another CCA took its test flight.

Airbus announced on Monday that its U740 Valkyrie, which was developed in partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, made its maiden flight at an undisclosed test facility in northern Europe, and the CCA is on track to be “combat-ready” by 2029.

According to the Airbus media release, the test........

© The National Interest