# Airbus scraps Wingman combat drone, Breaking Defense reports Breaking Defense reports that customers sought earlier service entry, prompting Airbus to pursue a design derived from its Barracuda demonstrator. Published 2026-11-03 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/11/03/airbus-scraps-wingman-combat-drone-breaking-defense-reports/ Airbus has scrapped development of its Wingman combat drone concept as Germany accelerated the timetable for potential service entry, Breaking Defense reported from Munich on Nov. 3.[1] Laurent Le Quément, Airbus's head of future air power and uncrewed aerial systems marketing, told reporters at the International Fighter Conference that customers wanted earlier service entry.[1] He said Airbus chose to pursue the U760 because it builds on the Barracuda demonstrator.[1] He did not identify the customer, though Airbus said in 2024 that Wingman was designed for emerging German Air Force requirements.[1] At Wingman's 2024 unveiling, Airbus Defence and Space CEO Michael Schoellhorn had indicated a fielding timeline much closer to 2040.[1] Breaking Defense also reported that Airbus is developing the U740 Valkyrie with Kratos to support a 2029 German requirement.[1] The outlet cited recent reporting that the requirement's timeline was in doubt after Germany reconsidered a direct purchase of Boeing MQ-28 Ghost Bat drones.[1] That left competitors including Airbus, offering Valkyrie, still in the running for an order from Berlin.[1] ## Why it matters The U760 is to use a business jet engine; Wingman was to use a bespoke engine from Rolls-Royce Deutschland and ITP Aero, Breaking Defense reported, citing Le Quément.[1] ## Sources 1. Breaking Defense: Wingman out, Ravenstorm in, Airbus changes tact to meet Germany's accelerated operations timeline