Airbus completes first test flight of Bird of Prey interceptor drone

Airbus Group (OTC: EADSY) announced its Bird of Prey interceptor drone completed its first demonstration flight at a military training area in northern Germany. The drone autonomously detected and engaged a kamikaze drone target using a Mark I air-to-air missile developed by partner company Frankenburg Technologies.

The test flight occurred nine months after the project began. The Bird of Prey prototype is based on a modified Airbus Do-DT25 drone with a 2.5-meter wingspan, 3.1-meter length, and maximum takeoff weight of 160 kilograms.

The prototype carried four Mark I missiles during the demonstration, while the operational version will accommodate up to eight missiles. The high-subsonic missiles have an engagement range of 1.5 kilometers, measure 65 centimeters in length, and weigh less than 2 kilograms each. The missiles feature fragmentation warheads designed to neutralize targets at close proximity.

"Against the current geopolitical and military backdrop, defending against kamikaze drones is a tactical priority that urgently needs to be tackled," said Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space.

The Bird of Prey system integrates with NATO's air defence architecture through Airbus' Integrated Battle Management System. The drone is designed to operate within existing command and control systems as part of layered air and missile defence solutions.

Airbus and Frankenburg Technologies plan to conduct additional test flights with live warheads throughout 2026 to demonstrate the system's full capabilities to potential customers. The companies position the system as a cost-effective solution for defending against multiple drone threats per mission.

The information is based on an Airbus press release statement.

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