XQ-58 Valkyrie goes to Europe — new system from Airbus makes it a profitable export offer

XQ-58 Valkyrie 

The American XQ-58 Valkyrie attack drone, known as the "combat partner" for manned fighter jets, has begun its journey to the European market. This became possible thanks to the cooperation of Kratos with the European aviation giant Airbus, which has developed a new control system for the drone.  

Now Valkyrie is not just a promising drone for the American army, but a full—fledged export product that will be offered not only to Germany, but also to other EU countries. Berlin has already shown interest in this machine, especially in light of the threats posed by the massive use of drones in modern conflicts.

 What is the XQ-58 Valkyrie?

This is a super-maneuverable attack drone created using stealth technology (barely noticeable to radars), which can work in conjunction with manned fighters, acting as a scout, target designator and even an ammunition carrier. It is also called an "aerial bodyguard" for fighter pilots.  

Now, with the new Airbus control system, it has become even more compatible with European standards and weapons systems — which makes it especially interesting for NATO countries like Germany, Poland, France and the United Kingdom.

In an environment where drones are increasingly becoming the main threat in the airspace, especially in conflicts involving swarms of UAVs and kamikaze drones, autonomous systems capable of responding quickly and supporting aviation are needed. This is exactly what Valkyrie is — a cheap, fast and at the same time dangerous opponent for any enemy drone or even a light fighter.

In addition, the XQ-58 can be used not only for attack, but also for reconnaissance purposes, as well as as a platform for testing new artificial intelligence technologies in combat conditions.

If the first deliveries and testing in Germany are successful, we can expect the expansion of contracts to other European countries. This could be an important step in modernizing the European Air Force and enhancing its capabilities in the face of growing threats from Russia and China.  

In general, Valkyrie is no longer just an American project — it is becoming an international player in the market of new-generation military drones.