Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) has successfully completed the altitude testing of the firm’s GEK800 engine that is designed to power the next generation of affordable unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and CCA-type aircraft.
The testing began late September and progressed through a stringent timeline through altitude tests and concluded this week with testing engine limits.
With the successful completion of altitude testing, the test team – a collaboration between Kratos, GE Aerospace, and Purdue University’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories – has achieved a major milestone this week, pushing boundaries which demonstrate the robustness of this advanced engine design and gaining a clear path towards production in delivering on our nation’s defense readiness with the aid of rapid and affordable testing. This engine test also marks the first at the newly expanded ZL9 test facility at Zucrow Labs.
The GEK800 is an 800-lb jet engine that could potentially power unmanned aerial systems (UAS), collaborative combat aircraft (CCAs), and missiles. Initially developed and ground tested by Kratos over the course of a decade, Kratos and GE Aerospace began working together in 2023 to complete additional development efforts and testing on the engine and have completed more than 50 engine starts in ground testing at Kratos and GE Aerospace testing facilities.
In a collaboration with GE Aerospace, Kratos Defense, and Purdue Zucrow Labs, an aggressive test timeline was met and successfully demonstrated a reliable, durable engine solution. Success in testing has been made possible with the involvement of both the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Office of Naval Research (ONR).
Successfully completing altitude testing marks a major milestone in the GEK800 engine program and demonstrates the strength of our partnership with GE Aerospace, AFRL, and Purdue University’s Zucrow Laboratories,” said Stacey Rock, President of Kratos Turbine Technologies. “This collaboration has been instrumental in advancing the engine’s development, validating its performance, and accelerating its path toward production. Together, we’re delivering on our shared commitment to provide high-performance, affordable propulsion systems that can be rapidly produced to meet the demands of our defense customers.”
Our joint team successfully expanded the altitude testing envelope and identified the engine’s rotor speed limits and compressive system boundaries. This testing further demonstrated the engine’s outstanding performance and durability,” said Mark Rettig, Vice President & General Manager of Edison Works Business & Technology Development at GE Aerospace.
The recent collaboration between GE Aerospace, Purdue University, and the Kratos test teams demonstrated a high level of alignment, efficiency, and technical excellence. The joint team successfully met nearly all test objectives while also validating the capability to conduct this style of testing within a newly commissioned facility. The dedication, expertise, and hard work contributed by each team member were instrumental to the success of this effort and are truly commendable,” said Daniel Fineberg, Kratos GEK800 Test Coordination Lead.