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.

Sources:
GE Aerospace,
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions