By septiani @Adobe Stock
Kratos has revealed it is working on a new hypersonic drone capable of flying at speeds above Mach 5. The company aims to make this uncrewed aircraft significantly more affordable than any existing comparable systems. Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco first disclosed the existence of the hypersonic drone program, which is currently internally funded, in a recent interview with Aviation Week. Details on its design, maturity, and intended missions remain unclear, but the drone is expected to be both reusable and air-breathing. Kratos is also involved in other hypersonic efforts, including its Furies Family of Systems and collaborations with Hypersonix Launch Systems. This development comes amid growing interest in hypersonic technologies by the U.S. military, including DARPA’s Next Generation Responsive Strike program.
Kratos is developing a hypersonic drone, adding to a growing portfolio of high-speed vehicles, CEO Eric DeMarco told Aviation Week in a March 18 interview. […]
The mystery vehicle can be supported by the Hypersonic System Indiana Payload Integration Facility (IPIF) that the company broke ground on in Crane, Indiana, on March 18. […]
Despite the advanced nature of the technology, Kratos remains committed to avoid crossing the “bleeding-edge” of capability in new products. The company prefers to work on fixed-price contracts, and the risk of overruns with inventing new technology are too high for Kratos.
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Kratos and RAFAEL Launch U.S. Rocket Motor Joint Venture
In February 2025, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems announced the creation of Prometheus Energetics, a joint venture aimed at establishing a U.S.-based supplier of solid rocket motors (SRMs) and other energetics. Headquartered in Crane, Indiana, the venture is backed by a $175 million investment from both companies. SRM production is set to begin in 2027. RAFAEL brings expertise from its world-renowned defense systems, including the Iron Dome, while Kratos contributes advanced propulsion and missile systems. The partnership aims to bolster the U.S. defense industrial base and address increasing national security demands. Kratos will report 50% of Prometheus’ net income and free cash flow in its consolidated financial statements.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company in the defense, national security and global markets, and RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems Ltd., today announced an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment of a U.S.-based merchant supplier of solid rocket motors (SRMs) and other energetics. The new joint venture, named Prometheus Energetics (“Prometheus”), is set to be headquartered on an approximate 500-acre site near the United States Navy and Army facility in Crane, Indiana.
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