Kratos Defense & Security Solutions announced that it has completed the initial flight series of its Mk1 Firejet, the first tactical jet unmanned aerial system powered by the company’s own J85 engine. The milestone, achieved on April 21 2026, marks the first successful flight of a jet‑powered UAS that is priced below $500,000, positioning Kratos as a first‑to‑market provider in the affordable sub‑$500,000 UAS segment.
The Mk1 Firejet incorporates the J85 engine, a lightweight, high‑performance powerplant that delivers a 30% increase in speed, a 25% boost in endurance, and a 20% climb‑rate improvement over the Classic Firejet. The new variant also retains the platform’s low‑cost, attritable design, making it attractive for both target and tactical applications while keeping the unit cost under the $500,000 threshold.
Kratos has built a Spartan engine production facility in late 2025 and is ramping up J85 output to thousands of units later in 2026, with plans for tens of thousands in the coming years. The domestic production line reduces supply‑chain risk by sourcing engine components in the United States and aligns with the Department of Defense’s call for U.S.‑made propulsion systems for unmanned platforms.
The Firejet’s entry into the market comes at a time of heightened demand for affordable, high‑performance tactical UAS. The U.S. and allied forces are recapping inventories of legacy aircraft, and the “loyal wingman” concept is driving interest in attritable, cost‑effective drones that can operate alongside manned fighters. Kratos’ dual‑model strategy—Classic and Mk1—allows it to serve a broader customer base, from training and target‑practice roles to forward‑deployed tactical missions.
"With our rapid advancement and in production, military‑grade jet engines, Kratos is making internal investments to answer the Department of War's call to industry to deliver affordable, high performance, military capability today. Kratos has invested significant internal resources and together with Army TSMO, have integrated a leading technology engine with the Firejet jet drone system." – Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos
"Kratos is committed to developing and providing threat‑representative target aircraft systems and to offering survivable tactical UAS. With this new version of the Firejet in both target or tactical applications, we increase range, endurance, speed, and climb rate without penalizing survivability. Importantly, we also reduce supply chain risk by using an American‑made Kratos engine with engine components sourced in the U.S.A." – Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems
"With the two Firejet models, Mk1 and Classic Firejet, we can now meet the cost‑performance levels aligned with various customers' needs." – Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems
Investors responded positively to the announcement, citing the milestone’s demonstration of Kratos’ ability to integrate its proprietary J85 engine into a fully operational drone platform and the company’s plans to scale production to meet growing demand for affordable, high‑performance tactical UAS. The market reaction reflects confidence in Kratos’ strategic positioning within the expanding loyal‑wingman and attritable UAS segments.
The content on EveryTicker is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. We are not financial advisors. Consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. Any actions you take based on information from this site are solely at your own risk.