GE Aerospace secured a $12.4 million U.S. Air Force contract to design the GEK1500 engine for small Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The contract, signed with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, will develop a 1,500‑lb thrust jet engine that could power unmanned aerial systems, CCAs, and missiles.
The GEK1500 builds on GE Aerospace’s existing GEK800 cruise‑missile engine architecture, leveraging lessons learned from altitude testing to improve thrust, power generation, and lifecycle cost. The partnership combines Kratos’ expertise in unmanned systems with GE Aerospace’s propulsion technology, positioning the company to enter the emerging CCA market.
Although modest in value, the contract is strategically significant. It demonstrates GE Aerospace’s ability to secure new business in the CCA segment, a key area for future defense spending, and aligns with the company’s broader strategy to grow revenue from high‑margin services and defense propulsion.
In the broader context, GE Aerospace reported strong financial performance in 2025, with total revenue of $12.7 billion in Q4 and $45.9 billion for the full year, up 18% YoY. The Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment saw revenue growth of 13% in Q4 and 19% in 2025, underscoring momentum in defense propulsion.
Management highlighted the technical benefits of the GEK1500. Steve Doogie Russell, Vice President and General Manager of Edison Works, said the engine will meet CCA requirements without compromising affordability or schedule. Stacey Rock, President of Kratos Turbine Technologies, noted the partnership would deliver high‑performance, affordable jet engines that can be rapidly produced to meet defense customers’ demands.
The CCA program aims to field autonomous or semi‑autonomous unmanned aircraft that team with manned fighters, and the Air Force has prioritized low‑cost engines. The GEK1500’s 1,500‑lb thrust places it in the lower end of the CCA market, suitable for expendable drones or missiles, and positions GE Aerospace to capture a share of this growing segment.
Overall, the contract signals GE Aerospace’s expanding footprint in defense propulsion and its readiness to capitalize on the Air Force’s push for cost‑effective, high‑performance engines for next‑generation unmanned systems.
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