KIZILELMA Flew in 2022. Europe’s Loyal Wingman Valkyrie Has Only Just Taken Off
The U740 Valkyrie, the uncrewed combat aircraft developed by Airbus Defence and Space with US partner Kratos, made its first flight in Europe on 29 September 2026, Airbus announced on 12 October. It is a milestone for Europe’s loyal wingman effort — and one that Türkiye passed with Baykar’s KIZILELMA on 14 December 2022. The gap between the two first flights is 1,385 days.
What did the Valkyrie test on its first flight?
According to Airbus, the flight took place at an undisclosed test site in northern Europe. The aircraft used a runway-independent, rocket-assisted take-off, manoeuvred at different altitudes and speeds, reached up to Mach 0.8 and had its mission parameters reconfigured in flight.
Airbus’ own mission management software, MARS, was not yet on board; it will be integrated in later test flights. Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn said air forces need “affordable combat mass”. The programme has no orders so far.
Where has KIZILELMA got to since?
KIZILELMA rolled out on 14 November 2022 and flew for the first time a month later, on 14 December 2022. It is designed to take off and land over short distances, including from ships such as the amphibious assault ship TCG ANADOLU.
The programme has moved quickly since. On 30 November 2025, off Sinop on the Black Sea coast, KIZILELMA destroyed a jet-powered target drone with TÜBİTAK SAGE’s GÖKDOĞAN beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile. Baykar described it as the first time an uncrewed fighter had downed a jet-powered aerial target with a BVR missile. Later that year two prototypes flew in autonomous close formation.
The two programmes side by side
| KIZILELMA | U740 Valkyrie | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Baykar (Türkiye) | Airbus / Kratos (Europe / US) |
| First flight | 14 December 2022 | 29 September 2026 |
| Current phase | Operational tests and flights under way | First flight, technology maturation |
| Key test | 30 Nov 2025, BVR live fire with GÖKDOĞAN | Rocket-assisted take-off, Mach 0.8 |
| Crewed partner | KAAN fighter | Eurofighter (teaming flights in 2027) |
| Goal | Serial production and entry into service | Combat-ready by 2029; no orders yet |
What comes next
For the Valkyrie, the next step is flights with the MARS mission system integrated. Airbus is aiming for Eurofighter teaming trials in 2027 and a combat-ready system in 2029 — a timeline that depends on German procurement and budget decisions.
For KIZILELMA, the targets are serial production, entry into service and operations alongside the KAAN fighter. If Europe holds to 2029, the gap will narrow. For now it is the gap between a first flight and an aircraft already in operational testing.
