Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Name

Kratos Defense and Security Solutions

Legal name

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.

Website

https://kratosdefense.com

Company type

Public

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Defense Manufacturing and Defense Technology Systems

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Aerospace Engines & Propulsion (IMABAMAD), Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC)

Keywords

• Unmanned aerial systems
• Hypersonic weapons
• Defense propulsion systems
• Satellite ground systems
• Electronic warfare components

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Defense Contracts: Kratos generates the majority of its revenue through long-term government defense contracts with U.S. Department of Defense agencies, military branches (U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Space Force), and foreign allied governments. Revenue is project-based, driven by contract awards, backlog conversion, and program milestones. The company has two primary operating segments: Government Solutions (which includes Defense Rocket Systems, C5ISR, satellite ground systems, and microwave products) and Unmanned Systems (aerial targets, tactical UAS like Valkyrie, autonomous ground systems, and propulsion).
2. Commercial / Non-Defense Revenue: Kratos generates a smaller portion of revenue from commercial applications of its dual-use technologies, including satellite ground systems for commercial operators (LEO constellation operators such as SpaceX Starlink and Amazon Project Kuiper), autonomous vehicle systems for commercial trucking and logistics, and microwave components for commercial aerospace. This revenue stream is growing as the company expands its commercial space and autonomous systems portfolios.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions designs, develops, and manufactures advanced unmanned aerial systems (XQ-58A Valkyrie collaborative combat aircraft, UTAP-22 Mako, Tactical Firejet, BQM-167/BQM-177/MQM-178 Firejet aerial targets), hypersonic vehicles and test infrastructure (Erinyes, Dark Fury, MACH-TB, Project Helios), propulsion systems (Spartan turbojet engines, GEK turbofan engines with GE Aerospace, Oriole and Zeus solid rocket motors), microwave and electronic components for missiles/satellites/EW, and autonomous ground vehicle platooning systems. Its primary customers are the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. military branches, U.S. Space Force, allied foreign governments, and defense prime contractors, with a smaller dual-use commercial revenue stream from satellite ground systems and autonomous trucking.

Product overview

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is a defense technology company offering a comprehensive portfolio of unmanned aerial systems, propulsion technologies, hypersonic systems, and related subsystems. The product portfolio centers on the XQ-58A Valkyrie Collaborative Combat Aircraft, complemented by tactical platforms (Mako, Tactical Firejet), aerial targets (BQM-167, BQM-177, MQM-178 Firejet), and engine systems (Spartan turbojet family, GEK turbofan family developed with GE Aerospace). Propulsion offerings include Oriole and Zeus solid rocket motors, while hypersonic capabilities feature Erinyes and Dark Fury hypersonic flyers. The company also provides autonomous ground vehicle systems for platooning applications, advanced avionics and mission systems, and hypersonic test and evaluation services. This integrated approach enables delivery of complete mission solutions from targets and drones to propulsion and ground support systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KratosSpace: Space systems division focusing on virtualized ground systems and software-defined space networks
• KratosCyber
• Kratos Training

Products and services

• XQ-58A Valkyrie Stealthy, multi-mission Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)/Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) for U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and allied air forces. Designed for wingman operations with manned aircraft (F-35, F-22, F-15EX, F-18), autonomous team operations, or solo missions. Range up to 3,000 nautical miles, speed up to 0.86 Mach, altitude 45,000 ft, 6g+ maneuvering, internal bomb bay, mid-wing and wingtip hardpoints, priced in the ~$10M range.
• UTAP-22 Mako High-speed, highly maneuverable unmanned aerial system with open mission-system flexibility and ample payload capacity. Derivative of the proven BQM-167A aerial target, capable of untethered or collaborative operations with manned assets in contested environments for U.S. military and allied air forces.
• Tactical Firejet Low-cost offensive/defensive high-performance UAS for fast ingress and egress of tactically denied battle spaces. Configurable mission systems and payloads enabling significant payload delivery over long ranges at high speed. J85-powered Mk1 variant offers fighter-like performance in the sub-$500,000 price class.
• BQM-167 Aerial Target High-performance jet aerial target system optimized for threat aircraft replication. Capable of 0.91 Mach, 9g maneuvering, 50,000-ft ceiling, 50-ft low-level flight, and up to 645 lb internal payload. Primary aerial target for U.S. Air Force subscale missions.
• BQM-177 Subsonic Aerial Target High-performance jet target for subsonic, sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missile threat emulation. Speeds exceeding 0.95 Mach, sea-skimming altitude as low as 6.6 ft (2 m), 9g maneuvering, 45,000-ft ceiling. U.S. Navy's next-generation Subsonic Aerial Target.
• MQM-178 Firejet Aerial Target Compact, modular carbon-fiber composite jet target pneumatically launched from land or ship, recoverable via parachute. Speed 0.69 Mach, 35,000-ft ceiling, 20-ft low-level flight, 9-12g maneuvering, 70 lb payload. Operates in manual or pre-programmed modes for weapons training and threat-replication missions.
• Spartan Turbojet Engine Family (TDI-J45, J50, J70, J85) Family of small, affordable, military-grade turbojet engines for expendable and attritable unmanned aerial systems, loitering munitions, and tactical missiles. Simple architecture, fuel-cooled bearing lubrication (no oil required), multi-fuel capability (JP4, JP5, JP8, JP10, JET-A, JET-A1), state-of-the-art turbomachinery. Production scaling to thousands of engines annually.
• GEK Turbofan Engine Family Low-cost, high-performance turbofan engines jointly developed with GE Aerospace for cruise missiles, collaborative combat aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles. GEK800 designed for expendable cruise missiles and reusable unmanned applications, combining GE Aerospace's high-rate production track record with Kratos' affordability focus.
• Oriole Solid Rocket Motor System Suborbital launch system providing stage propulsion for targets, scientific, and microgravity research payloads. Features optional thrust vectoring nozzle for in-flight control, redundant digital ignition module, and supports sea-level and high-altitude ignition. Celebrating 25 years of flight success across U.S. military and allied programs.
• Zeus Solid Rocket Motors (Zeus 1 and Zeus 2) 32.6-inch solid rocket motors offering improved performance over legacy spin-stabilized sounding rocket motors while maintaining legacy form factors. Zeus 1 used as first/second stage; Zeus 2 as first, second, and/or third stage. Affordable replacements for government surplus motors enabling faster, farther, and more frequent flights for L3Harris hypersonic weapon programs.
• Erinyes Hypersonic Flyer Advanced hypersonic vehicle designed for high-speed, long-range missions using breakthrough propulsion and aerodynamic technologies. State-of-the-art design ensures reliability, maneuverability, and adaptability for U.S. defense and allied hypersonic applications.
• Dark Fury Hypersonic Flyer Hypersonic flyer engineered for extreme velocity and precision rapid strike capabilities, utilizing breakthrough propulsion and aerodynamic technologies. Achieves superior speed and range with robust design ensuring reliability, high maneuverability, and adaptability for critical defense applications.
• X37TA Turbo Alternator High-power-to-weight, low-maintenance, fuel-flexible, quiet, recuperated turbine generator for hybrid electric unmanned aerial systems and expeditionary ground power applications. Features oil-less rotor system with air bearings.
• Autonomous Vehicle Systems / Auto-Platooning Technology Dual-use, field-proven autonomous vehicle systems and auto-platooning technology delivering scalable, retrofit-ready automation for defense and commercial trucking/logistics. Includes V2V communication, advanced compute, GPS, onboard sensors, and modular control systems enabling driverless follower trucks paired with human-driven lead vehicles.
• Aegis Readiness Assessment Vehicle (ARAV) Family Short- and medium-range ballistic missile targets (SRBM/MRBM) that emulate various threats with high tailorability and advanced staging for trajectory flexibility. Includes ARAV Type B, Type C, and Type TTO variants supporting U.S. missile defense test programs.
• Hypersonic Test and Evaluation Services Leading laboratory for complex material testing and analysis from ambient to extreme conditions, providing flight testing up to Mach 20, modeling and simulation, and transient thermal analysis software for hypersonic vehicles. Includes the new Project Helios arc jet facility in Odon, Indiana, expanding domestic aerothermal testing capacity for hypersonic materials and systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Valkyrie XQ-58A operating alongside F-35s, F-22s, F-15EXs, and F-18s from U.S. Air Force and Marine Corps
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature13 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Elroy AircoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Kratos named exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner for Elroy Air's Chaparral autonomous heavy-cargo VTOL drone as part of Elroy Air's $1 billion SPAC merger with Columbus Circle Capital Corp II. Kratos to produce first aircraft by late 2026. Elroy Air has a demand pipeline exceeding 1,400 aircraft and $5 billion in potential revenue. Manufacturing partnership gives Kratos access to autonomous VTOL cargo drone production.
• Barq GroupmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026$200 million joint venture agreement with Barq Group to establish international manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Operations expected to begin in 2027, with local production starting in 2028. Represents Kratos' expansion into Middle Eastern defense manufacturing and regional operations.
• Anadrone Systems LimitedmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Strategic partnership signed at Eurosatory 2026 to jointly pursue opportunities in India's unmanned and autonomous systems market. Combines Kratos' global expertise in tactical UAS and aerial target platforms with Anadrone's indigenous development, manufacturing, and operational capabilities within India. Aims to support India's defense modernization and Atmanirbhar Bharat self-reliance vision.
• GE AerospacecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint development and production of the GEK family of small, low-cost, high-performance turbofan engines for cruise missiles, collaborative combat aircraft, and UAVs. GEK800 successfully completed altitude testing. Combines GE Aerospace's proven high-rate production track record with Kratos' culture of affordability. Also teamed on U.S. Air Force contract to design engine for expendable combat collaborative aircraft.
• Northrop GrummancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorthrop Grumman selected Kratos' XQ-58A Valkyrie as the platform for U.S. Marine Corps' MUX/TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. $231.5 million Marine Corps contract. Kratos provides the air vehicle platform while Northrop Grumman provides mission systems and integration. Strategic teaming positions Kratos Valkyrie for program-of-record production.
• Airbus Defence and SpacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus partnering with Kratos to deploy its German mission system (MARS) on the XQ-58A Valkyrie for the German Air Force, with operational capability targeted for 2029. Positions Kratos as the platform provider for European collaborative combat aircraft development.
• L3Harris TechnologiesmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerKratos issued letter of intent to L3Harris for 60 full-rate production Zeus hypersonic system rocket motors. Zeus SRMs provide propulsion for L3Harris hypersonic weapon programs. Represents significant production contract for Kratos' solid rocket motor business.
• Airbus Defence and Space (European UCCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAirbus developing a separate European UCCA (Uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft) in a higher weight class to address more sophisticated European operational requirements. Airbus leveraging Kratos' XQ-58A as a reference/starting point.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Northrop Grumman: Largest defense prime and Kratos' most strategic partner and direct competitor. Northrop Grumman leads the U.S. Air Force CCA program of record, with Kratos as its air vehicle platform provider for Marine Corps CCA. Both companies compete for the same autonomous combat aircraft dollars.
• General Atomics: Competing CCA platform provider with the XQ-67A, directly challenging Kratos' Valkyrie for the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft program. General Atomics has legacy dominance in unmanned combat aerial systems through the MQ-9 Reaper franchise and comparable military-grade UAS manufacturing capabilities.
• Anduril Industries: Emerging direct competitor in autonomous CCA, counter-UAS, and AI-enabled defense systems. Anduril is competing for the same U.S. Air Force CCA program with its own design and has rapidly scaled its own propulsion, autonomy, and manufacturing capabilities, representing a well-funded threat to Kratos' core UAS franchise.
• AeroVironment: Tactical UAS competitor focused on small unmanned systems (Switchblade loitering munitions, Puma, Raven). AeroVironment competes in the attritable, low-cost tactical UAS category that Kratos targets with Tactical Firejet and Spartan-powered systems.

Broad incumbents

• Lockheed Martin: Largest U.S. defense prime competing for hypersonic weapons, missile defense, propulsion, and CCA programs. While not a direct UAS competitor at the Valkyrie price point, Lockheed's portfolio overlap includes solid rocket motors, hypersonic strike systems, and military avionics — areas where Kratos also operates.
• L3Harris Technologies: Tier-1 defense prime that is both a Kratos customer (Zeus solid rocket motor production LOI) and competitor in space systems, electronic warfare, and C5ISR. L3Harris is a direct competitor in microwave/electronic components and satellite ground systems.
• RTX Corporation (Raytheon): Major defense prime competing across missile systems, hypersonic weapons, propulsion, and space electronics. RTX's Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Collins Aerospace segments overlap with Kratos' missile subsystems, solid rocket motors, and microwave electronics businesses.

Emerging players

• Shield AI: AI-enabled autonomous UAS company competing in tactical and CCA markets. Shield AI's Hivemind autonomy stack and V-BAT platforms represent direct competition in autonomous unmanned systems where Kratos' Valkyrie and Mako operate.

Regional players

• Elbit Systems: Israeli defense electronics and UAS manufacturer with comparable product portfolio in tactical UAS, electronic warfare, and avionics. While primarily serving Israeli and international markets, Elbit competes with Kratos' microwave electronics and tactical UAS offerings in FMS and allied procurement channels.

Others

• GE Aerospace: Joint development partner and supplier of high-rate aerospace production. GE Aerospace co-develops the GEK turbofan engine family with Kratos for cruise missiles and CCAs, providing the production scale and engine technology backbone for Kratos' propulsion products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat7 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@KratosDefense
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kratos-defense-and-security-solutions
• Xx.com/kratospss
• Facebookfacebook.com/165766763435913

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds6 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A10 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kratos Defense and Security Solutions