Kratos Advances 5G NR NTN Ground System Development with Multi-Vendor Connectivity Success

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) successfully demonstrated end-to-end connectivity across a multi-vendor satellite-based 5G network using its OpenSpace ground system.

Rhea-AI Summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS) successfully demonstrated end-to-end connectivity across a multi-vendor satellite-based 5G network using its OpenSpace ground system.

The demonstration involved Korea-based satellite operator KT SAT, Kratos’ OpenSpace radio access network, Druid Software’s Raemis 5G Core and equipment based on GCT Semiconductor Holding’s (GCTS) GDM7275X. Together, these components performed cell search, registered with the Druid core and established two-way communication, validating interoperability between different vendors. The network used native 5G NR NTN technology, which extends 5G connectivity to non-terrestrial networks. Kratos describes its software-defined architecture as a way for satellite operators to scale services, reduce hardware dependencies and choose among vendors.

Positive

• Minor pointSuccessful end-to-end connectivity demonstration validated OpenSpace’s interoperability with Druid and GCT components in a satellite-based 5G network.

Negative

• None.

Key Terms

5g nr ntn, ran, 5g core

3 terms

5g nr ntn technical

"a native, multi-vendor 5G NR NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network)"

5G NR NTN stands for 5th‑generation New Radio Non‑Terrestrial Network: the set of 3GPP standards and techniques that extend 5G radio access to non‑terrestrial platforms such as satellites and high‑altitude platforms. It lets standard 5G devices or specially adapted terminals connect via spaceborne or airborne transmitters instead of only ground cell towers, and includes protocol and physical‑layer adaptations to handle long distances, higher Doppler shifts, variable delays, and different antenna pointing and power constraints. The practical consequence is that NTN links aim to provide wider geographic coverage and connectivity in areas without terrestrial infrastructure while requiring additional network design for latency, link budget, and mobility differences compared with terrestrial 5G.

ran technical

"an OpenSpace RAN (Radio Access Network)"

"Ran" is the past tense of "run," which in finance often describes the period during which a stock, market, or investment performs strongly and steadily increases in value. When an investment "ran," it means it experienced a notable upward movement, gaining attention from investors. This term helps convey how well an asset has performed over a certain time, highlighting periods of growth or success.

5g core technical

"Druid Software’s Raemis 5G Core"

The 5G core is the central, software-based system that manages and directs all mobile data, calls and services on a 5G network—think of it as the network’s brain and traffic controller running in the cloud. Investors care because it enables faster, more reliable connections, new revenue-generating services (like ultra-low-latency applications and private networks) and a shift from bulky hardware to flexible software, which affects operator costs, vendor competition and future profits.

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Using multiple vendors across Kratos’ OpenSpace’s fully virtualized platform proves that space can support terrestrial-level interoperability and scale

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company specializing in defense, national security, and global markets, today announced that it has successfully demonstrated end-to-end connectivity across a native, multi-vendor 5G NR NTN (New Radio Non-Terrestrial Network) using Kratos’ OpenSpace®, the industry’s first fully virtualized and software-defined satellite ground system platform. This demonstration showcased the benefits of virtualization in supporting the level of interoperability and scale necessary for satellite operators to provide seamless 5G services.

A virtualized ground system offers the most advantageous path forward for operators seeking flexibility and scalability. OpenSpace’s software-defined architecture allows satellite systems to behave more like terrestrial 5G infrastructure, enabling operators to dynamically scale services, reduce hardware dependencies and adopt multi‑vendor solutions that best support mission, performance and cost requirements. Multi-vendor support gives operators the ability to choose the best software for a service and the best cost-performance option for a given beam or region and more.

In this demonstration with Korea-based satellite operator KT SAT and other partners, Kratos proved connectivity across a native 5G NR Non-Terrestrial Network consisting of an OpenSpace RAN (Radio Access Network), Druid Software’s Raemis 5G Core and GCT Semiconductor Holding’s (NYSE: GCTS) GDM7275X-based 5G UE (User Equipment). This integrated system performed cell search and successfully registered with the Druid Raemis core to establish two-way communication and validate multi-vendor interoperability.

“KT SAT is committed to advancing 5G NTN solutions in the satellite industry,” said Sungho Choi, KT SAT CTO. “By bringing partners together and supporting this demonstration, we’re accelerating the ecosystem and proving that interoperable, multi‑vendor 5G systems are not just theoretical, they are happening now.”

“Our goal with OpenSpace has always been to give satellite operators the flexibility and interoperability that 5G promises,” said Jennifer Barber, Senior Director of Product Management 5G NTN Solutions at Kratos. “This collaboration is an important step toward open, multi‑vendor 5G NTN deployments. We’re pleased to work with KT SAT and our partners in driving 5G development forward in the industry.”

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) is a technology, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading-edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as an innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low-cost future manufacturing which is a value-add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe that our probability of win (PWin) is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of PWin is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, C5ISR and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, missile defense, space, satellite, counter UAS, directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter. For more information, visit www.KratosDefense.com and follow Kratos on LinkedIn and X.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 28, 2025, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:
Claire Cantrell
claire.cantrell@kratosdefense.com

Investor Information:
877-934-4687
investor@kratosdefense.com

FAQ

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What did Kratos demonstrate with its OpenSpace 5G satellite ground system?

Kratos demonstrated end-to-end connectivity and multi-vendor interoperability across a native 5G non-terrestrial network. The integrated system performed cell search, registered with Druid Software’s Raemis core and established two-way communication using OpenSpace and GCT-based user equipment.