Corroborated test 2026-10-12
Airbus Defence and Space and Kratos Defense conducted the first European test flight of the U740 Valkyrie uncrewed combat aircraft at an undisclosed northern European site. The demonstrator reached Mach 0.8 during the campaign. The companies aim to deliver a combat-ready collaborative combat aircraft for Germany's Eurofighter fleet by 2029, with Airbus providing the MARS mission system integrated onto the Kratos XQ-58 airframe.
Why it matters: Germany now has a loyal-wingman candidate that has actually flown in European airspace — putting Airbus a step ahead of domestic competitors still working from renderings.
Single source procurement notice 2026-10-12
Belgium has joined Spain and Germany in a programme to equip Airbus A330 MRTT tankers with the A3R automatic air-to-air refuelling system. Airbus received full certification of A3R from Spain's aerospace technology institute INTA in February following cooperation with Singapore. The programme allows receiver aircraft to connect to the tanker boom without manual pilot control.
Single source test 2026-10-05
Airbus Defence and Space successfully demonstrated a quantum-secure tactical communications network connecting military and law enforcement users across different locations. The demonstration validates quantum encryption technology for operational military communications.
Corroborated contract 2026-09-10
The European Commission selected Belgian firm Aerospacelab as a lead contractor for the low Earth orbit segment of the IRIS² programme, tasking it with building 264 satellites. Aerospacelab, founded in 2018, said it will construct a new megafactory to meet production requirements. Airbus Defence and Space also received separate IRIS² work.
Why it matters: A 2018 startup beating established primes for the biggest EU space order in years signals Brussels is serious about disrupting its own industrial base — or that legacy suppliers couldn't meet the delivery timeline.
Single source contract 2026-09-07
Unseenlabs and Airbus Defence and Space will develop France's next-generation space-based signals intelligence capability under the CÉLESTE (Capacité ÉLectromagnétique SpaTiaLE) programme. The constellation will provide electromagnetic intelligence gathering from orbit, complementing the optical IRIS (Instruments de Renseignement et d'Imagerie Spatiale) programme also confirmed in the 2024–30 military planning law. Both programmes had faced possible delays during parliamentary review but were retained. Contract value was not disclosed.
Why it matters: France is building sovereign space SIGINT after years of reliance on US and allied feeds — a strategic bet that electromagnetic intelligence from orbit will matter as much as imagery in contested environments.