GE Aerospace and Kratos win U.S. Air Force award to design engine for expendable Collaborative Combat Aircraft

GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a leader in defense, national security, and global markets, today announced a joint U.S. Air Force contract for $12.4M to design a next-generation engine for small Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The initial phase of the program will complete the preliminary design of the GEK1500 engine to meet demanding performance requirements while achieving aggressive cost targets for affordable mass.

Stacey Rock, President of Kratos Turbine Technologies Division, said, “Building on the success of our GEK800 engine program, the development of the GEK1500 further demonstrates our team’s ability and commitment to deliver high-performance, affordable, jet engines that can be rapidly produced to meet the demands of our defense customers.”

“Lessons learned from recent GEK800 altitude testing are directly informing GEK1500 – improving thrust, power generation, and lifecycle cost – so we can meet CCA requirements without compromising affordability or schedule,” said Steve “Doogie” Russell, Vice President and General Manager of Edison Works at GE Aerospace.

The GEK1500 is a 1,500-lb thrust jet engine that could potentially power unmanned aerial systems (UAS), collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), and missiles. The design of the GEK1500 leverages the GEK800 cruise missile engine architecture which is successfully completing technical maturation. An additional option on the contract, if exercised, would enable the team to assess key design risks and characterize engine performance under relevant flight and installation conditions for the GEK1500 engine. The Air Force has prioritized the development of high performing and low-cost engines to enable the disruptive capabilities of small CCAs.

Recent altitude testing of the GEK800 engine demonstrated critical technologies that will provide future systems increased range, increased thrust, decreased life cycle cost, and increased electrical power. The investments and progress made to date on the GEK800 will reduce the cost and schedule timelines for the GEK1500 and provide enhanced performance for small CCAs.

In June, Kratos and GE Aerospace announced the signing of a formal teaming agreement to advance propulsion technologies for the next generation of affordable unmanned aerial systems and CCA-type aircraft, covering the GEK800 and a framework for partnering on additional engines. The result is another formal teaming agreement covering the GEK1500. This collaboration strengthens the companies’ ongoing partnership and builds on a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance the development and production of small, cost-effective engines for unmanned platforms. The teaming agreement expanded on that MOU and provided the framework for the two companies to develop, manufacture, test, and field the GEK800 and additional GEK engines in higher thrust classes.

Kratos brings more than 25 years of experience developing and producing small, affordable engines for UAS, drones, and missile platforms. GE Aerospace adds a century of expertise in propulsion technology and the ability to scale advanced designs into high-rate production, helping bridge the gap from prototype to deployment.