Kratos Announces Immediate Availability of TDI’s Four Classes of Low-Cost Turbojet Engines

Rhea-AI Summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) has announced the immediate availability of four classes of low-cost, high-performance turbojet engines through its Technical Directions, Inc. (TDI) business unit. These engines, ranging from 30 to 200 pounds of thrust, are designed and manufactured in the United States with all components sourced domestically. The engines are ideal for cruise missiles, loitering munitions systems, and other defense applications.

The four available engine classes are:

• TDI-J45: 30 lb thrust
• TDI-J5: 75 lb thrust
• TDI-J7: 100 lb thrust
• TDI-J85: 200 lb thrust

This initiative aims to provide rapid access to cost-effective solutions for time-sensitive defense projects, eliminating traditional lead times. TDI's expertise in turbine engine technologies, developed since 1983, is applied to support low-cost, high-production, expendable turbojet engine applications.

Positive

• Immediate availability of four classes of turbojet engines, eliminating lead times
• Engines designed and manufactured in the USA with domestic sourcing, ensuring quality and security
• Potential increase in market share for defense applications such as cruise missiles and UAVs
• Leveraging Michigan's automotive expertise for defense sector applications

Negative

• None.

Insights

Defense Industry Analyst

Kratos' announcement of immediate availability for TDI's turbojet engines is a strategic move in the defense sector. The focus on low-cost, high-performance engines aligns with the industry's push for affordable weaponry. The elimination of lead times could give Kratos a significant edge in securing contracts for time-sensitive projects.

The 100% USA-designed and manufactured aspect addresses growing concerns about supply chain security in defense. This could be particularly appealing to the U.S. government, potentially leading to increased orders. However, the impact on Kratos' financials will depend on the volume of orders and profit margins, which aren't disclosed here.

Investors should monitor upcoming defense contract announcements, as Kratos may now be better positioned to compete for projects requiring rapid deployment of cruise missiles or UAVs.

Aerospace Engineer

The range of thrust classes (30 to 200 pounds) offered by TDI's engines is impressive, covering a wide spectrum of potential applications in unmanned systems. The compact size mentioned is important for missile and UAV designs, where space and weight are at a premium.

What's particularly interesting is the application of automotive expertise to defense technology. This cross-industry knowledge transfer could lead to innovative solutions and potentially more cost-effective manufacturing processes. The focus on expendable engines suggests a design philosophy prioritizing cost-efficiency over longevity, which aligns well with single-use missile systems.

From a technical standpoint, the immediate availability without compromising performance is noteworthy. It implies a mature, well-tested product line ready for rapid integration into various platforms.

Military Strategist

The immediate availability of these engines has significant implications for military readiness and response capabilities. In today's geopolitical climate, the ability to rapidly field new or upgraded systems can be a critical advantage. This announcement potentially reduces the time from concept to deployment for new missile systems or UAVs.

The emphasis on cruise missiles and loitering munitions aligns with current trends in modern warfare, where precision strike capabilities and persistent presence are increasingly valuable. The range of thrust options allows for versatility in mission profiles, from short-range tactical applications to potentially longer-range strategic systems.

However, it's important to note that engine availability is just one part of the equation. Integration, testing and certification processes for complete weapon systems can still be time-consuming. Nonetheless, this development could accelerate certain phases of weapons programs, potentially giving the U.S. a tactical edge in responding to emerging threats.

High-Performance, USA-Made Engines Now Available with No Lead Time

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS), a technology company in Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today announced that Technical Directions, Inc. (TDI), a business unit within Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, now offers four classes of its low-cost, high-performance turbojet engines with immediate availability. These engines, ranging from 30 to 200 pounds of thrust, are designed and manufactured in the United States at TDI’s facility in Oxford, Michigan, with all parts and components sourced from U.S. companies.

Known for their compact size and reliable performance, TDI’s turbojets are ideal for use in cruise missiles, loitering munitions systems, and other critical defense systems. Kratos’ commitment to affordability and innovation is at the forefront of this announcement, ensuring that customers can quickly access these engines without lead times—a vital factor for time-sensitive defense projects.

The four classes of TDI’s turbojet engines now available are:

• TDI-J45: 30 lb thrust
• TDI-J5: 75 lb thrust
• TDI-J7: 100 lb thrust
• TDI-J85: 200 lb thrust

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8bf86f0f-60b1-449f-a30b-1a80222276d1

“We understand the importance of rapidly fielding cost-effective solutions in today’s fast-paced defense environment,” said Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division. “With the large number of programs and technology efforts underway in the affordable weapons classes, by building ahead and having these affordable and high-performance engines stocked on our shelves in Michigan, we enable rapid evaluation, test, integration, and ultimately, all up round delivery without the traditional front end lead-time delays.”

Each TDI engine is 100% USA-designed, sourced, and manufactured, ensuring both quality and security. TDI has developed and refined turbine engine technologies for military applications in Michigan since 1983—providing unique features in support of low-cost, high-production, expendable turbojet engine applications, such as small cruise missiles and other Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). With the engineering, manufacturing, and system integration employees in the Oxford, Michigan facility, TDI’s subject matter experts leverage Michigan’s deep automotive expertise and apply it to the defense sector and have experience that encompasses all aspects of this turbine engine class, from clean-sheet design, through performance testing, vehicle integration, flight testing, and production manufacturing.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/68ef20cd-8410-48b4-8098-64d4d8e5ba5b

To learn more about TDI's turbojet engines and their immediate availability, visit our booth at the upcoming Air Force Association’s Air, Space & Cyber Conference or www.tdi-engines.com.

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.

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 31, 2023, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:
Claire Burghoff
claire.burghoff@kratosdefense.com

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

FAQ

What are the thrust ranges of the turbojet engines offered by Kratos (KTOS)?

Kratos (KTOS) offers four classes of turbojet engines through TDI, ranging from 30 to 200 pounds of thrust. Specifically, the TDI-J45 provides 30 lb thrust, TDI-J5 offers 75 lb thrust, TDI-J7 delivers 100 lb thrust, and TDI-J85 produces 200 lb thrust.

Where are Kratos' (KTOS) TDI turbojet engines manufactured?

Kratos' (KTOS) TDI turbojet engines are designed and manufactured in the United States at TDI's facility in Oxford, Michigan. All parts and components are sourced from U.S. companies, ensuring domestic production and supply chain.

What are the main applications for Kratos' (KTOS) TDI turbojet engines?

Kratos' (KTOS) TDI turbojet engines are primarily designed for use in cruise missiles, loitering munitions systems, and other critical defense systems. They are particularly suitable for low-cost, high-production, expendable turbojet engine applications in the defense sector.

How long has Kratos' (KTOS) TDI been developing turbine engine technologies?

Kratos' (KTOS) TDI has been developing and refining turbine engine technologies for military applications in Michigan since 1983, providing over 40 years of expertise in the field.