Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and Kratos Partner on Small Engines for Combat Aircraft
GE Aerospace and Kratos collaborate to develop advanced small turbofan engines for the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
Revolutionary Partnership: GE Aerospace and Kratos Develop Next-Generation Small Engines for Collaborative Combat Aircraft
The defense aviation sector is undergoing a major transformation as GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions formalize a partnership to develop advanced propulsion systems for next-generation unmanned Military-Aircraft. Announced in June 2025, this collaboration targets the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, a key initiative aiming to revolutionize air warfare by integrating autonomous drone wingmen with traditional fighter jets. The partnership merges GE Aerospace’s extensive propulsion expertise with Kratos’ specialized experience in affordable engines for unmanned systems, addressing the need for reliable, cost-effective Propulsion solutions in future combat scenarios.
This alliance is particularly significant as it responds to a shifting defense landscape, where affordability, scalability, and rapid technological advancement are paramount. The CCA program’s focus on autonomous and semi-autonomous aircraft underscores a broader trend toward networked, collaborative warfare, making propulsion innovation a critical enabler of operational flexibility and national security.
By combining resources and knowledge, GE Aerospace and Kratos are positioned to deliver propulsion systems that meet the U.S. Air Force’s evolving requirements for performance, cost, and production scalability. The partnership’s approach reflects a new era in defense procurement, one that values speed, adaptability, and cross-industry collaboration.
Strategic Partnership Evolution and Foundation
The formal teaming agreement between GE Aerospace and Kratos in June 2025 builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed at the Farnborough Air Show in July 2024. This progression from informal cooperation to a binding partnership highlights both companies’ commitment to addressing critical needs in the rapidly expanding unmanned aerial systems market. Amy Gowder, President and CEO of Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace, emphasized that the agreement and engine development “mark another step forward in our dedication to providing affordable, adaptable, high-performance propulsion systems for the future force.”
GE Aerospace brings over a century of propulsion technology experience and the ability to scale advanced designs for high-rate production, capabilities essential to meeting the Department of Defense’s ambitious procurement goals. Kratos adds over 20 years of expertise in developing and producing small, cost-effective engines for unmanned aerial systems, Drones, and missile platforms. This synergy targets what Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco describes as “some of the most important, mission critical and highest priority needs and requirements of United States National Security.”
The timing aligns with increased U.S. Air Force investment in the CCA program, as demonstrated by a $711.7 million budget allocation in March 2025. This funding shift validates the strategic positioning of the GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership in addressing emerging defense priorities.
“The formalization of this teaming agreement and initiation of development of these new engines mark another step forward in our dedication to providing affordable, adaptable, high-performance propulsion systems for the future force.”, Amy Gowder, GE Aerospace
The GEK Engine Family: Technical Innovation and Performance Specifications
The GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership centers on the GEK engine family, a technological leap in small turbofan design. The initial focus is on two engine variants: the GEK800 and GEK1500. The GEK800, unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in 2024, is an 800-pound thrust engine designed as an expendable powerplant for cruise missiles, drones, and other short-duration military applications.
Traditionally, small engines for these applications have used turbojet designs, which, while simple and inexpensive, lack the fuel efficiency needed for extended-range missions. GE and Kratos have addressed this by fitting turbofan technology into a turbojet-size envelope, enabling superior fuel efficiency without sacrificing cost-effectiveness. The GEK800 measures about three feet in length and one foot in diameter, making it suitable for compact platforms, with a manufacturing cost target of “a couple hundred thousand dollars per unit.”
The GEK1500 builds on this foundation, offering 1,500 pounds of thrust and tailored for CCA applications. Unlike the expendable GEK800, the GEK1500 uses enhanced materials and cooling systems to support the operational demands of collaborative combat aircraft. A prototype demonstration is scheduled for 2026, marking a crucial milestone for the program.
Design Philosophy and Modular Scalability
The GEK engine family’s modular architecture allows scalability to meet various platform demands, from expendable drones to reusable combat aircraft. This modularity is key to addressing the Air Force’s shifting requirements, which now consider lower-thrust engines for future CCA increments. The design philosophy prioritizes shorter operational lifespans, measured in hundreds rather than thousands of cycles, enabling significant cost reductions while meeting mission needs.
Craig Young, GE’s executive engineering director for hypersonic propulsion, noted, “The architecture for these small engines typically has been very cheap and straightforward because they’ve been turbojets, and turbojets just don’t give us the fuel burn and the efficiencies we need for the extended range in today’s fight.” The GEK family’s approach directly addresses this limitation.
Looking ahead, the partnership anticipates expanding the engine family to variants with 3,000 to 6,000 pounds of thrust, broadening applicability across the unmanned combat aircraft spectrum.
“We certainly have anticipated a whole family of these strike engines that could be upwards of 3,000 to 6,000 pounds thrust in the future as well.”, Stacey Rock, Kratos Turbine Technologies Division
Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Context and Strategic Importance
The CCA program is a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force’s Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) initiative, aiming to develop autonomous or semi-autonomous drone wingmen that enhance combat capability and reduce risk to human pilots. In January 2024, the Air Force awarded design contracts to five companies, later narrowing the field to Anduril and General Atomics for Increment 1 development. The program’s first increment is expected to procure 100–150 aircraft, with an eventual goal of over 1,000 units.
The Air Force’s requirements for CCA propulsion have evolved, initially targeting thrust ranges around 4,000 pounds but now considering engines with lower thrust for future increments. This shift aligns with the GEK engine family’s capabilities, positioning the partnership to address a broad spectrum of operational needs. Major General Joseph Kunkel remarked, “You’ll see a range of options, from low-end to potentially more exquisite. I tend to think that it’s probably going to be closer to this low-end thing when we start looking at the further CCA increments.”
The rapid pace of the CCA program, with critical design reviews and prototype flights scheduled within a few years, underscores the importance of agile, scalable propulsion solutions. The GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership is well-positioned to support these timelines and evolving requirements.
Manufacturing Strategy and Production Capabilities
Kratos has invested $25 million in a new production facility in Bristow, Oklahoma, dedicated to assembling the GEK engine family. The facility is set to begin low-rate production in late 2026, initially focusing on the GEK800 and GEK1500 models. Its modular design allows for expansion to meet increasing demand and potential international sales.
The production timeline aligns with broader CCA program milestones, with the first GEK800 “product engine” slated for testing by January 2026 and the GEK1500 prototype demonstration planned for later that year. This synchronized approach maximizes efficiency and reduces program risk.
By establishing domestic manufacturing capabilities, the partnership enhances supply chain resilience and supports Department of Defense requirements for U.S.-based production of critical military technologies.
Market Context, Financial Implications, and Industry Positioning
The GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership operates within a rapidly expanding global military drone market, projected to reach $45.42 billion in 2025 and $96.6 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 13.3%. The CCA segment is expected to grow from $736 million in 2025 at a 14.6% CAGR through 2033. North-America leads the market, with Asia-Pacific and Europe emerging as significant growth regions.
Kratos reported Q2 2025 revenues of $351.5 million, with strong growth in its Defense Rocket Systems business. GE Aerospace reported total revenues of $11.0 billion for the same quarter, with robust growth in its Defense & Propulsion Technologies division. These financial results provide a solid foundation for sustained investment and innovation in propulsion technologies.
The competitive landscape is shifting, with new entrants like Anduril and General Atomics winning CCA contracts over traditional primes. The GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership, focusing on propulsion rather than complete systems, can potentially serve multiple contractors and international customers, reducing competitive risk and maximizing market opportunity.
“The combination of GE’s established production capabilities and Kratos’s specialized unmanned systems expertise creates barriers to entry for potential competitors while positioning the partnership to capture market share across multiple program increments and international opportunities.”
Technological Innovation and Strategic Implications
The GEK engine family’s integration of turbofan efficiency into compact, affordable packages is a significant engineering achievement with potential applications beyond military drones, including civilian unmanned systems. The emphasis on affordability and modularity reflects a broader shift in defense procurement philosophy, prioritizing rapid, cost-effective development over traditional long-life-cycle approaches.
The partnership’s model, combining an established aerospace leader with a specialized defense technology firm, demonstrates how cross-industry collaboration can accelerate innovation and address emerging national security needs. The intention to make GEK engines available to U.S. allies, pending government approval, further extends the partnership’s strategic impact.
As the CCA program matures and international interest in collaborative unmanned systems grows, the GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership is poised to influence propulsion development across multiple sectors and markets.
Conclusion
The GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership marks a pivotal shift in military propulsion technology, blending established expertise with innovative approaches to meet evolving defense requirements. The GEK engine family exemplifies successful innovation in balancing performance, affordability, and scalability, factors essential for the future of unmanned military aviation.
Looking forward, the partnership’s ability to execute on ambitious development and production timelines, expand engine capabilities, and serve both domestic and international markets will determine its long-term impact. As the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program progresses, the GE Aerospace-Kratos alliance stands as a model for how industry collaboration can drive technological breakthroughs and support national security objectives in a rapidly changing defense landscape.
FAQ
What is the purpose of the GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership?
The partnership aims to develop advanced, affordable small turbofan engines for unmanned military aircraft, specifically targeting the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft program.
What are the GEK800 and GEK1500 engines?
The GEK800 is an 800-pound thrust expendable engine for drones and missiles, while the GEK1500 is a 1,500-pound thrust engine designed for reusable collaborative combat aircraft.
When will production of these engines begin?
Low-rate production is planned to start in late 2026 at Kratos’s new facility in Bristow, Oklahoma, with prototype demonstrations for the GEK1500 scheduled for 2026.
How does this partnership fit into the broader CCA program?
The partnership provides propulsion solutions that align with the CCA program’s evolving requirements for cost-effective, scalable, and efficient engines for autonomous aircraft.
Will these engines be available to international customers?
The partnership intends to make the GEK engine family available to U.S. allies and partners, subject to government approval.
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Defense & Military
RCAF Accepts First Two CF-35A Fighters at Luke Air Force Base
Canada takes delivery of CF-35A fighters AR-1 and AR-2 at Luke AFB as its C$19B procurement program remains under review.
This is original reporting and analysis by AirPro News.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) officially accepted delivery of its first two Lockheed Martin CF-35A Lightning II stealth fighters at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona on October 22, 2026, marking the physical introduction of the fifth-generation platform into the Canadian military.
The handover of the aircraft, designated AR-1 and AR-2, proceeds even as the broader C$19 billion procurement program remains in political limbo. Following trade and diplomatic tensions with the United States, Prime Minister Mark Carney initiated a formal review of the 88-aircraft purchase in March 2025, leaving the ultimate size and composition of Canada’s future fighter fleet unconfirmed.
Initial training operations in Arizona
The first two CF-35As will remain stationed at Luke Air Force Base to support the initial training cadre of Canadian instructor pilots and maintainers. The Arizona installation serves as a primary international training hub for the F-35 platform, hosting multiple allied nations. According to the Department of National Defence (DND), a total of eight Canadian jets are planned to be based at the facility through 2026 and 2027.
The delivery occurred exactly one month after the first Canadian aircraft completed its maiden flight at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 23, 2026. In an official statement regarding the delivery, the RCAF noted that the arrival of the jets represents a foundational step, adding that the future of air and space power is built on more than equipment alone.
Procurement review and fleet uncertainty
Canada has been a partner in the Joint Strike Fighter program since 1997. After years of political debate and a reset of the procurement process, the Canadian government selected the F-35A in 2022 over the Saab Gripen E to replace its aging McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet fleet. The CF-18 has been in service since the 1980s and is slated for retirement in the early 2030s. In January 2023, Ottawa finalized the agreement to purchase 88 F-35As.
The procurement trajectory shifted in March 2025 when Prime Minister Carney ordered a formal review of the acquisition. Currently, only 16 of the 88 jets are firmly committed and funded. Minister of National Defence David McGuinty confirmed the ongoing evaluation, stating that the question of the F-35 remains under review and that both he and the prime minister are highly engaged in the issue alongside the emerging Defence Investment Agency.
The government is actively evaluating the possibility of operating a mixed fighter fleet. This approach could integrate Saab Gripen E fighters alongside a smaller number of F-35s, reopening a competition that Saab had previously lost during the Future Fighter Capability Project selection.
Path to operational capability
Despite the political uncertainty surrounding the final fleet size, the RCAF continues to execute its transition plan for the funded aircraft. The first CF-35As are scheduled to arrive on Canadian soil at 4 Wing Cold Lake in Alberta in 2028.
The air force plans to declare Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the CF-35A fleet between 2029 and 2030. This timeline aligns with the necessary infrastructure upgrades at Canadian bases and the completion of initial pilot and maintainer training in the United States.
AirPro News analysis
Canada’s ongoing review of the F-35 program is highly unusual for a Tier 3 partner at this late stage of procurement. While the physical delivery of AR-1 and AR-2 ensures the RCAF can begin building its fifth-generation institutional knowledge, the potential pivot to a mixed fleet introduces significant logistical and interoperability questions. Operating both the CF-35A and the Saab Gripen E would require maintaining two distinct supply chains, training pipelines, and maintenance infrastructures. We note that these dual-fleet requirements could potentially offset the initial acquisition savings of a split purchase, complicating the RCAF’s transition away from the CF-18 Hornet.
Photo Credit: Royal Canadian Air Force
Defense & Military
U.S. Army Validates AH-64E Apache Maritime Lifting Sling
The U.S. Army validated a lifting sling for the AH-64E Apache, enabling crane-based maritime loading with rotor blades folded.
The U.S. Army has successfully validated a prototype lifting sling for the Boeing AH-64E Apache, clearing the attack helicopter for crane-based maritime loading and unloading with its main rotor blades folded.
Announced on October 21, 2026, by the Apache Helicopter Project Office, the validation fulfills the final transportability requirement outlined in the aircraft’s Capability Production Document (CPD). The milestone significantly expands the Army’s expeditionary logistics options by reducing reliance on specialized port infrastructure.
Expanding maritime logistics capabilities
Prior to this validation, maritime deployment of the Apache fleet often depended on Roll-On/Roll-Off (RORO) vessels or specialized dock facilities equipped with ramps capable of supporting towed aircraft. The new sling, engineered by industry partner ASRC Federal, allows the AH-64E to be hoisted using standard harbor and shipboard cranes.
This Lift-On/Lift-Off (LOLO) capability mitigates transit bottlenecks and lowers vessel charter costs by opening access to a wider range of global seaports. The U.S. Army stated that the ability to load and unload the aircraft with its main rotor blades folded is a major milestone for expeditionary mobility.
Prototype validation and next steps
The validation exercise took place at Fort Hood, Texas, overseen by the Apache Project Management Transportability Team based at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. During the testing, the team successfully demonstrated the safe hoisting of the AH-64E using the ASRC Federal prototype hardware.
Following the exercise, the test team identified minor adjustments required before full production. These modifications include the addition of protective padding to prevent the hoisting cable from contacting the main rotor blades during lifting operations. Once these adjustments are validated, ASRC Federal will manufacture and deliver five contracted production prototypes to the U.S. Army.
The AH-64E Apache global footprint
Manufactured by The Boeing Company, the AH-64 Apache has served as the primary attack helicopters for the U.S. Army since 1984. The AH-64E is the latest variant, featuring upgraded sensors, software, and weapons performance. The U.S. Army is currently modernizing its fleet to the AH-64E Version 6.5 standard while gradually retiring older AH-64D models.
The global Apache fleet consists of more than 1,280 aircraft operating across 19 defense forces. In March 2023, Boeing reported the U.S. Army fleet had surpassed 5 million total flight hours.
International demand for the platform remains active. On August 11, 2026, Boeing signed offset agreements with Polish industry partners to build a long-term sustainment infrastructure supporting Poland’s incoming fleet of 96 AH-64E helicopters.
AirPro News analysis
The shift from RORO dependency to LOLO capability represents a critical logistical upgrade for U.S. Army aviation. As military planners focus on distributed operations and expeditionary mobility, the ability to utilize commercial container ports and standard maritime cranes reduces reliance on specialized military sealift vessels. This transportability milestone ensures the AH-64E can be deployed more rapidly and flexibly in contested or infrastructure-limited theaters.
Photo Credit: United States Army – Courtesy
Defense & Military
GA-ASI and Spirit Defense Partner on FQ-42 Vengeance CCA
GA-ASI and Spirit Defense team up to manufacture the FQ-42 Vengeance airframe as the USAF targets 500 CCAs by 2032.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and Spirit Defense have formed a strategic partnership to manufacture the airframe for the U.S. Air Force’s FQ-42 Vengeance Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
Announced in an October 23, 2026, press release, the agreement designates Spirit Defense, a Boeing Company, as a fuselage design-build partner. The collaboration aims to expand manufacturing capacity and establish production resilience as the U.S. Air Force (USAF) accelerates its uncrewed fighter program toward a goal of fielding hundreds of aircraft by the next decade.
Scaling production for the uncrewed fleet
The partnership connects GA-ASI headquarters in San Diego, California, with Spirit Defense operations in Wichita, Kansas. Spirit Defense operates as an independent supplier to the defense industry, providing engineering, manufacturing, and lifecycle support for military programs. By integrating Spirit Defense into the supply chain, GA-ASI intends to reduce the risk of single points of failure and increase the industrial depth required for high-volume production.
GA-ASI recently completed a new low-observable paint facility to support the CCA program and stated it is currently positioned to deliver six aircraft per month to meet initial USAF objectives. The addition of Spirit Defense is designed to scale that output further.
David R. Alexander, President of GA-ASI, highlighted the strategic necessity of the agreement in meeting military requirements.
“We’re excited to be working with Spirit Defense. We’ve established our proven design, development, and manufacturing capability for the FQ-42. With Spirit Defense we add capacity, which is exactly the kind of production resilience our U.S. Air Force customer is looking for with its CCA ramp-up. This kind of partnership represents the scalable industrial base the Air Force and the U.S. Department of [Defense] are looking for from industry.”
Keith Schrader, President and CEO of Spirit Defense, confirmed the company’s readiness to support the airframe build.
“We’re proud to bring deep manufacturing expertise and proven capabilities to this important program. Our team understands the responsibility that comes with supporting critical national defense programs, and we’re ready to deliver for our customer and the warfighter.”
The FQ-42 Vengeance in testing and evaluation
The FQ-42 Vengeance is a purpose-built, fifth-generation uncrewed fighter developed to operate alongside crewed aircraft in semi-autonomous combat roles. The design features an internal weapons bay, low observability, and a modular architecture intended for the rapid integration of mission systems and autonomy software.
On September 18, 2026, GA-ASI delivered a new FQ-42 Vengeance to Creech Air Force Base in Nevada to support continued USAF test, evaluation, and experimentation. The aircraft has already participated in formation flights with crewed fighters, including the F-35 Lightning II and the F-15E Strike Eagle.
Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink officially named the aircraft “Vengeance” on September 14, 2026. The aircraft was previously known internally as Dark Merlin. During the naming announcement, Meink emphasized the rapid pace of the acquisition program.
“Today, the first FQ-42 and FQ-44 increments are already rolling off the assembly line,” Meink stated. “They’ll be performing many of the same missions that we do with manned fighters today.”
Evolution of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative
The USAF Collaborative Combat Aircraft program is designed to field affordable, semi-autonomous drones to augment crewed fighter squadrons. The target unit cost for the aircraft at full-rate production is approximately $20 million.
GA-ASI was selected by the USAF in April 2024 to build production-representative flight test articles for the program. The FQ-42 Vengeance completed its maiden flight in August 2025, and GA-ASI secured an initial production contract from the USAF in June 2026. The FQ-42 is one of two primary designs selected for the first increment of CCA production, alongside Anduril Industries’ FQ-44 Fury.
The scope of the CCA program has expanded significantly since its inception. Initial projections called for 150 aircraft, but on September 14, 2026, the USAF confirmed a revised goal to field at least 500 Collaborative Combat Aircraft by 2032.
Mike Shortsleeve, Vice President for Strategy Business Development at GA-ASI, addressed the increased production targets following the USAF announcement.
“The intent for them is to go up to as many as 500 aircraft by 2032,” Shortsleeve said. “We’re ready to do that production.”
GA-ASI has operated as a sole manufacturer of its Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) line since its founding in 1992. Over 30 years, the company’s Predator line has logged more than 9 million flight hours across platforms including the MQ-1C Gray Eagle, MQ-9A Reaper, MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian, and the MQ-20 Avenger.
Beyond the domestic FQ-42 program, GA-ASI is engaged in discussions with international militaries regarding the Gambit Series. The Gambit Series is a family of modular CCAs derived from the FQ-42, the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station, and the MQ-20 Avenger, optimized for electronic warfare, suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses, and stand-off precision strike missions.
AirPro News analysis
The partnership between GA-ASI and Spirit Defense illustrates the central challenge of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft program: industrial capacity. Designing a capable uncrewed fighter is only half the mandate; the other half is manufacturing it at a scale and price point that traditional defense primes have struggled to achieve with crewed aircraft. By bringing a Boeing subsidiary into the fold for fuselage production, GA-ASI is signaling to the Department of Defense that it can meet the aggressive 2032 target of 500 aircraft without requiring massive, unilateral capital expenditure.
This distributed manufacturing approach also directly addresses the Pentagon’s ongoing concerns regarding supply chain fragility. Relying on a single facility in San Diego for a critical next-generation platform presents a strategic vulnerability. Distributing the airframe build to Wichita builds redundancy into the program while leveraging existing aerospace manufacturing infrastructure, a model that will likely become standard as the USAF pushes for higher volumes of attritable or semi-attritable autonomous systems.
Photo Credit: General Atomics
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