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GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) said Aug. 17 that the GEK800 engine, which received the U.S. Military Engine Type Designation F143-ZZ-100, has been awarded a contract with the United States Air Force for Engineering, Manufacturing and Development as a second-source propulsion system for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).
The designation and award advance a program aimed at delivering small, low-cost, high-performance engines for cruise missiles, collaborative combat-type aircraft, and other uncrewed aerial vehicles.
“The F143 designation and EMD award are a testament to the strong performance and capability of the GEK800 engine and the strength of our partnership with Kratos. This reflects years of disciplined engineering to deliver propulsion systems that meet the evolving, mission-critical requirements of our military customers,” said Amy Gowder, President and CEO of GE Aerospace Defense & Systems.
“Kratos has been working with our outstanding partner GE Aerospace and the United States Air Force to support the Department of War in reindustrializing U.S. manufacturing capacity and capability in the area of low cost, rapidly manufacturable, in large quantities, jet engines for drones, cruise missiles and other systems. The DoW is providing industry clear demand signals, including multi-year contractual framework agreements for missile systems, and both Kratos and GE Aerospace have responded, including making significant investments with our government partners, to support U.S. National Security priorities,” said Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos.
The GEK800, now designated the F143, is an 800-pound-thrust class turbofan intended for long-range missiles and other uncrewed applications. Kratos and GE Aerospace began joint work in 2023, combining internal investment with support and funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory to complete a Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction phase that included engine testing.
The team has conducted more than 50 engine starts during ground tests at Kratos and GE Aerospace facilities, and in 2025 completed altitude testing at Purdue University’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories.
