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.
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.
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 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.
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
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.
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.
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.”
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. 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.
What is the purpose of the GE Aerospace-Kratos partnership? What are the GEK800 and GEK1500 engines? When will production of these engines begin? How does this partnership fit into the broader CCA program? Will these engines be available to international customers?
Revolutionary Partnership: GE Aerospace and Kratos Develop Next-Generation Small Engines for Collaborative Combat Aircraft
Strategic Partnership Evolution and Foundation
The GEK Engine Family: Technical Innovation and Performance Specifications
Design Philosophy and Modular Scalability
Collaborative Combat Aircraft Program Context and Strategic Importance
Manufacturing Strategy and Production Capabilities
Market Context, Financial Implications, and Industry Positioning
Technological Innovation and Strategic Implications
Conclusion
FAQ
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.
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.
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.
The partnership provides propulsion solutions that align with the CCA program’s evolving requirements for cost-effective, scalable, and efficient engines for autonomous aircraft.
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
Firehawk Aerospace Expands Rocket Motor Production in Mississippi Facility
Firehawk Aerospace acquires a DCMA-rated facility in Mississippi to boost production of solid rocket motors using 3D-printing technology.
This article is based on an official press release from Firehawk Aerospace.
On December 19, 2025, Firehawk Aerospace announced a significant expansion of its manufacturing capabilities with the acquisition of a specialized defense facility in Crawford, Mississippi. The Dallas-based defense technology company has secured a 20-year lease on the 636-acre site, which was formerly operated by Nammo Talley.
This acquisition marks a strategic pivot for Firehawk as it moves to address critical shortages in the U.S. defense supply chain. By taking over a facility that is already rated by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), the company aims to bypass the lengthy construction and certification timelines typically associated with greenfield defense projects. The site will serve as a hub for the full-system integration of solid rocket motors (SRMs), complementing the company’s existing R&D operations in Texas and energetics production in Oklahoma.
The Crawford facility is located in Lowndes County within Mississippi’s “Golden Triangle” region. According to the company’s announcement, the site is a “turnkey” defense asset designed specifically for handling high-grade explosives and munitions. The infrastructure includes assembly bays protected by one-foot-thick concrete walls and safety “blowout” walls designed to contain accidental detonations.
Because the facility was previously used by Nammo Defense Systems for the high-volume assembly of shoulder-launched munitions, such as the M72 LAW and SMAW systems, it retains the necessary regulatory certifications to allow for rapid operational ramp-up. Firehawk Aerospace CEO Will Edwards emphasized the urgency of this expansion in a statement regarding the deal.
“This acquisition strengthens Firehawk’s ability to address one of the nation’s most urgent defense challenges: rebuilding munition inventories that have been drawn down faster than they can be replaced.”
, Will Edwards, Co-founder and CEO of Firehawk Aerospace
The acquisition comes at a time when the Western defense industrial base is grappling with a severe shortage of solid rocket motors, which power critical systems like the Javelin, Stinger, and GMLRS missiles. Traditional manufacturing methods, which involve casting propellant in large batches that take weeks to cure, have created production bottlenecks.
Firehawk Aerospace intends to disrupt this model by utilizing proprietary 3D-printing technology to manufacture propellant grains. According to the press release, this additive manufacturing approach reduces production times from weeks to hours. The company has explicitly stated that the new Mississippi facility is being designed to achieve a production tempo of “thousands of rockets per month,” a significant increase over legacy industry standards. “While the current industrial base is built to produce thousands of rockets per year, we are building this site… to operate at a much higher production tempo… designing for throughput measured in thousands per month, not years.”
, Will Edwards, CEO
The expansion is expected to bring skilled jobs to the Golden Triangle region, which is increasingly becoming a hub for aerospace and defense activity. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves welcomed the investments, noting the dual benefits of economic growth and national security support.
“Their acquisition in Crawford will bring skilled jobs to the region while directly contributing to the production capacity our nation needs.”
, Tate Reeves, Governor of Mississippi
From R&D to Mass Production: This acquisition signals Firehawk’s transition from a development-focused startup to a volume manufacturer. By securing a pre-rated facility, Firehawk has effectively shaved 2–3 years off its timeline, the period typically required to build and certify a new explosives handling site. This speed is critical given the current geopolitical demand for tactical munitions.
Supply Chain Decentralization: The move also highlights a strategy of decentralization. By distributing operations across Texas (R&D), Oklahoma (Energetics), and now Mississippi (Integration), Firehawk is building a supply chain that may prove more resilient than centralized legacy models. This geographic diversity also allows the company to tap into distinct labor markets and state-level incentives, such as Mississippi’s aerospace initiatives.
What is the significance of the DCMA rating? How does Firehawk’s technology differ from traditional methods? What was the facility used for previously?
Firehawk Aerospace Acquires Mississippi Facility to Scale Rocket Motor Production
Strategic Asset Details
Addressing the “Rocket Motor Crisis”
Regional Economic Impact
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
A DCMA (Defense Contract Management Agency) rating verifies that a facility meets strict Department of Defense quality and safety standards. Acquiring a pre-rated facility allows Firehawk to begin production much faster than if they had to build and certify a new site from scratch.
Traditional solid rocket motors are cast in large batches, a process that requires weeks for the propellant to cure. Firehawk uses 3D-printing technology to print propellant grains, which allows for custom geometries and reduces the manufacturing time to mere hours.
The facility was formerly operated by Nammo Talley (now Nammo Defense Systems) for the assembly of shoulder-launched munitions, including the M72 LAW and SMAW systems.Sources
Photo Credit: Firehawk Aerospace
Defense & Military
20 Years of the F-22 Raptor Operational Capability and Upgrades
Lockheed Martin celebrates 20 years of the F-22 Raptor’s operational service, highlighting its stealth, combat roles, readiness challenges, and modernization.
Lockheed Martin has launched a campaign commemorating the 20th anniversary of the F-22 Raptor achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC). In December 2005, the 27th Fighter Squadron at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia became the first unit to field the fifth-generation fighter, marking a significant shift in global air superiority.
According to the manufacturer’s announcement, the aircraft continues to define the benchmark for modern air combat. In a statement regarding the milestone, Lockheed Martin emphasized the platform’s enduring relevance:
“The F-22 Raptor sets the global standard for capability, readiness, and mission success.”
While the airframe was designed in the 1990s and first flew in 1997, the F-22 remains a central pillar of U.S. air power. The fleet, which consists of approximately 185 remaining aircraft out of the 195 originally built, has evolved from a pure air superiority fighter into a multi-role platform capable of ground strikes and strategic deterrence.
Since its operational debut, the F-22 has maintained a reputation for dominance, primarily established through high-end military aircraft exercises rather than direct air-to-air combat against manned aircraft.
Data from the U.S. Air Force and independent observers highlights the discrepancy between the Raptor’s exercise performance and its real-world combat engagements. During the 2006 Northern Edge exercise, its first major test after becoming operational, the F-22 reportedly achieved a 108-to-0 kill ratio against simulated adversaries flying F-15s, F-16s, and F/A-18s.
Despite this lethality in training, the aircraft’s combat record is distinct. The F-22 made its combat debut in September 2014 during Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting ground strikes against ISIS targets in Syria. To date, the aircraft has zero confirmed kills against manned enemy aircraft. Its sole air-to-air victory occurred in February 2023, when an F-22 utilized an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile to down a high-altitude Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.
The primary driver of the F-22’s longevity is its low observable technology. Defense analysts estimate the Raptor’s Radar Cross Section (RCS) to be approximately 0.0001 square meters, roughly the size of a steel marble. This makes it significantly stealthier than the F-35 Lightning II and orders of magnitude harder to detect than foreign competitors like the Russian Su-57 or the Chinese J-20.
While Lockheed Martin’s anniversary campaign highlights “readiness” as a key pillar of the F-22’s legacy, recent Air Force data suggests a more complex reality regarding the fleet’s health. We note that maintaining the world’s premier stealth fighter comes at a steep logistical cost. According to data published by Air & Space Forces Magazine regarding Fiscal Year 2024, the F-22’s mission capable (MC) rate dropped to approximately 40%. This figure represents a decline from roughly 52% in the previous fiscal year and indicates that, at any given time, fewer than half of the Raptors in the inventory are flyable and combat-ready.
This low readiness rate is largely attributed to the fragility of the aircraft’s stealth coatings and the aging avionics of the older airframes. The Air Force has previously attempted to retire 32 older “Block 20” F-22s used for training to divert funds toward newer programs, though Congress has blocked these efforts to preserve fleet numbers. The contrast between the jet’s theoretical dominance and its logistical availability remains a critical challenge for planners.
Contrary to earlier projections that might have seen the F-22 retired in the 2030s, the Air Force is investing heavily to keep the platform viable until the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter comes online.
In 2021, the Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $10.9 billion contract for the Advanced Raptor Enhancement and Sustainment (ARES) program. This decade-long modernization effort aims to update the fleet’s hardware and software.
According to budget documents for Fiscal Year 2026, the “Viability” upgrade package includes several key enhancements:
These investments suggest that while the F-22 is celebrating its past 20 years, the Air Force intends to rely on its capabilities well into the next decade.
Sources: Lockheed Martin, U.S. Air Force
Two Decades of the Raptor: Celebrating the F-22’s Operational Milestone
Operational History and Combat Record
Exercise Performance vs. Combat Reality
Stealth Capabilities
AirPro News Analysis: The Readiness Paradox
Modernization and Future Outlook
The ARES Contract and Upgrades
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
U.S. Navy Zero-G Helmet System Completes Critical Design Review
Collins Elbit Vision Systems completes design review for the Zero-G Helmet Display, reducing pilot weight load and enhancing safety for Navy aircraft.
This article is based on an official press release from Collins Elbit Vision Systems (RTX).
Collins Elbit Vision Systems (CEVS), a joint venture between RTX’s Collins Aerospace and Elbit Systems of America, has officially announced the completion of the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Zero-G Helmet Mounted Display System+ (HMDS+). This milestone, finalized on December 12, 2025, marks a pivotal step in the U.S. Navy’s Improved Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (IJHMCS) program.
The successful CDR effectively freezes the system’s design, confirming that the helmet meets the Navy’s rigorous requirements for safety, performance, and platform integration. With the design locked, the program now transitions into the airworthiness testing and integration phase, bringing the system closer to deployment aboard the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler fleets.
According to the press release, the Zero-G HMDS+ is engineered to address long-standing physiological challenges faced by naval aviators while introducing “6th-generation” digital capabilities to existing 4.5-generation aircraft.
The Zero-G HMDS+ represents a significant departure from legacy analog systems. While previous iterations required pilots to physically attach heavy Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for low-light operations, the new system integrates digital night vision directly into the visor. This integration streamlines cockpit operations and reduces the physical burden on the aircrew.
A primary driver for the Zero-G’s development is the reduction of head-borne weight. High-G maneuvers in fighter aircraft place immense strain on a pilot’s neck and spine, a hazard exacerbated by heavy, unbalanced legacy helmets. CEVS reports that the Zero-G system is more than 25 percent lighter than current market alternatives. Its name is derived from its optimized center of gravity, designed to minimize fatigue and long-term injury risks.
Capt. Joseph Kamara, the U.S. Navy Program Manager for Naval Aircrew Systems (PMA-202), emphasized the safety implications of the new design in a statement:
“Aircrew health and safety is our number one priority. The Zero-G being integrated through our IJHMCS program promises to relieve aircrew of neck and back strain and greatly improve ejection safety.”
Beyond ergonomics, the helmet utilizes a binocular waveguide display system. Unlike monocular reticles used in older models, this technology projects high-definition color symbology and video into both eyes, creating a fully immersive 3D view of the battlespace. The system is capable of “sensor fusion at the edge,” processing mission data and weapon information directly on the helmet to act as a primary flight instrument. Luke Savoie, President and CEO of Elbit Systems of America, highlighted the strategic necessity of this upgrade:
“Zero-G is providing sensor fusion at the edge… As fighter aircraft level-up, the HMDs of those systems need to as well.”
The Zero-G HMDS+ program has moved rapidly since CEVS was awarded a $16 million contract by the U.S. Navy in September 2023 for development and test support. Following the successful CDR in December 2025, the program is scheduled to undergo flight testing and Avionics integration throughout 2026 and 2027.
The U.S. Navy projects Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the system in 2027. Once fielded, it is expected to equip aviators across the entire fleet of U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Air Force Super Hornets and Growlers, totaling more than 750 aircraft.
The completion of the CDR signals a critical maturity point for the Navy’s effort to modernize the human-machine interface in its tactical fleet. While much industry attention is focused on future platforms like NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance), the Zero-G program illustrates the military’s commitment to maintaining the lethality and survivability of its existing backbone fleet.
By adapting technology originally matured for the F-35 Gen III helmet, CEVS is effectively retrofitting advanced situational awareness tools onto older airframes. This approach not only extends the combat relevance of the Super Hornet but also addresses the acute retention issue of pilot physical health. The shift to digital night vision and balanced weight distribution suggests that the Navy views pilot longevity as a critical component of fleet readiness.
Critical Design Review Completed for Navy’s Next-Gen Helmet
Technical Leap: The Zero-G HMDS+
Weight Reduction and Pilot Safety
Advanced Display Capabilities
Program Timeline and Deployment
AirPro News Analysis
Sources
Photo Credit: RTX
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