Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
US defense contractor specializing in high-performance unmanned aerial target drones, tactical UAS, and satellite communications.
2 articles
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos is a San Diego-based defence contractor listed on Nasdaq as KTOS. It works in unmanned systems, space and satellite communications, microwave electronics and other national-security markets. Its Kratos Unmanned Systems business produces jet-powered aerial targets and uncrewed aircraft for U.S. and allied customers. The company positions these systems around affordable mass: capable aircraft that can be produced in quantity and accepted as attritable when a mission requires it.
Key Products
- XQ-58A Valkyrie - a jet-powered, attritable uncrewed aircraft used in Kratos and U.S. government flight activity. The company reported second-quarter 2026 unmanned-systems growth was driven in part by Valkyrie-related activity.
- UTAP-22 Mako - a jet-powered aerial target drone used for live-fire training and threat simulation
- BQM-167 Skeeter - an aerial target drone used by the US Air Force for weapons testing and training
- Jet-powered aerial targets - Kratos supplies target systems used in weapons testing and training, including the BQM-167 and UTAP-22 families.
Business and Funding
For the second quarter of fiscal 2026, Kratos reported revenue of $458.8 million, GAAP net income of $4.4 million and consolidated backlog of $2.084 billion at June 28, 2026. Its unmanned-systems segment reported $79.1 million of quarterly revenue and $374.6 million of backlog. The company increased its fiscal-2026 revenue guidance to $1.750 billion to $1.810 billion; that range is management guidance, not reported annual revenue.
Why It Matters
Kratos matters because it combines established target-drone production with investment in higher-performance uncrewed aircraft. Its financial disclosures make clear that unmanned systems are part of a broader portfolio, not a stand-alone Valkyrie business. The useful indicators are production conversion, contract backlog and the ability to turn flight-test and programme activity into sustained orders. Increased defence interest in autonomous and attritable systems is an opportunity, but procurement timing and programme selection remain material risks.
