The U.S. Air Force has selected Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and GE Aerospace to execute the Engineering, Manufacturing and Development phase for the GEK800 turbofan engine. The system will provide an alternative propulsion mechanism for long-range precision missiles and uncrewed aerial platforms.
The U.S. Air Force has awarded an Engineering, Manufacturing and Development contract to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and GE Aerospace for the GEK800 turbofan engine, officially designated as the F143-ZZ-100. Designed to deliver 800 pounds of thrust, the engine will serve as a second-source propulsion mechanism for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile system, alongside broader applications in uncrewed aerial vehicles and collaborative combat aircraft.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is a specialized technology firm focusing on directed-energy systems, unmanned platforms, satellite communications, and national security solutions. GE Aerospace operates as an international propulsion and systems architecture supplier, manufacturing jet engines and components for commercial and military aircraft.
This contracting decision marks a crucial milestone in expanding supply chain resiliency and manufacturing capacity for critical defense assets. By qualifying a second propulsion source for long-range strike platforms, defense procurement authorities aim to mitigate production bottlenecks, reduce sole-source risks, and lower lifecycle costs through competitive industrial participation.
The partnership between Kratos and GE Aerospace initiated in 2023 during a Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase supported by the Air Force Research Laboratory. Subsequent risk-reduction efforts achieved key technological milestones, including over 50 successful ground-based engine starts and comprehensive altitude testing completed in 2025 at Purdue University’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories.
Establishing dual-sourcing models across key defense components creates broader market opportunities for specialized sub-tier suppliers in high-temperature materials, precision machining, and advanced aerospace manufacturing. Defense contractors and propulsion developers stand to gain from rising operational demand for cost-effective, high-performance turbofan engines adapted for next-generation sovereign defense capabilities.
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