Kratos Expands U.S. Jet Engine Production Footprint with New Advanced Manufacturing Facility, Test Cells in Bristow, Oklahoma
- New 50,000 sq ft facility expandable to 100,000 sq ft demonstrates significant production capacity growth
- Facility will have capability to produce 500 engines annually across five production lines
- Creation of 60 initial high-quality jobs with potential for 45 additional jobs per production line
- Strategic expansion strengthens U.S. defense industrial base and addresses rising demand for propulsion systems
- State grant funding secured for three test cell installations
- Full operational capacity won't be reached until Q4 2026
- Test cells won't be operational until 2027
- Significant capital investment required for facility construction and expansion
Insights
Kratos's new Oklahoma engine facility signals strategic expansion into critical defense propulsion market with 500-engine annual capacity by late 2026.
Kratos's announced advanced manufacturing facility in Bristow, Oklahoma represents a significant industrial expansion in the critical defense propulsion sector. The 50,000 square-foot facility (expandable to 100,000) will produce the GEK family of turbojet engines, primarily the GEK800, with production capabilities spanning 600-6000 pound thrust classes—a range covering applications from cruise missiles to collaborative combat aircraft (CCA).
The facility's planned annual output of 500 engines signals Kratos's strategic positioning to capitalize on growing defense requirements for affordable, domestically-produced propulsion systems. With occupancy expected mid-2026 and full operations by Q4 2026, the company is making a calculated bet on increasing demand for these critical components.
The integration of three dedicated test cells (operational 2027) demonstrates commitment to end-to-end production capabilities. This vertical integration should enhance quality control while potentially reducing production bottlenecks and timeline risks.
The employment impact—60 initial jobs with 45 additional positions per production line—reflects substantial workforce investment. The Oklahoma location leverages state grant funding while aligning with defense sector priorities for expanding domestic production capabilities of critical components.
This facility appears strategically timed to address the DoD's increasing focus on unmanned systems, cruise missile capabilities, and next-generation collaborative combat aircraft, positioning Kratos to capture market share in high-growth defense propulsion segments through the latter half of this decade.
New 50,000-Square-Foot Facility, Located on 20 acres, is Expected to Expand to 100,000 Square Feet and House up to Five GEK Engine Production Lines
PARIS, June 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a Technology Company in the Defense, National Security and Global Markets, today announced plans to open a new advanced manufacturing facility in Bristow, Oklahoma to produce its GEK (GE Aerospace-Kratos) family of turbojet engines, with an initial focus on the GEK800.
The announcement was made during the Oklahoma Breakfast in Paris ahead of the 2025 Paris Air Show, with Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco, Kratos Turbine Technologies (KTT) President Stacey Rock, and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt in attendance.
Kratos’ Manufacturing Facility in Bristow, OK
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a4ebe75a-615b-47a4-8aa8-e516fc918ea9
The 50,000-square-foot facility, located on 20 acres, is expected to expand to 100,000 square feet and house up to five GEK engine production lines and initial output of 500 engines annually, supporting thrust classes from 600 to 6000 pounds. Occupancy is expected in mid-2026, with operations fully ramped by Q4 2026.
The facility will include three small engine (200-2000 lbf thrust) test cells, which are expected to be operational in 2027, thanks to approved grant funding from the State of Oklahoma.
The initial engine line is expected to create 60 high-quality jobs at the site, with key positions beginning recruitment in late 2025 and general hiring in Q1 2026. Each additional production line is expected to add approximately 45 new jobs.
“This facility underscores Kratos’ strategy of delivering affordable, high-performance, made-in-America propulsion systems at scale,” said Stacey Rock, President of Kratos Turbine Technologies. “Bristow will be a critical site for delivering mass to the mission and meeting the growing propulsion needs of our defense customers.”
The GE Aerospace – Kratos GEK800
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0e3b6aad-8744-481a-8403-5f09bbe07759
Governor Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma, said, “This is a big win for American workers, for our military, and for every Oklahoman who believes in freedom, innovation, and strength. Kratos could’ve gone anywhere in the world, but they choose to continue investing in Oklahoma because it is the best place to build, grow, and do business. Oklahoma is proud to be a hub for national defense that is leading the way in rebuilding America’s industrial base and powering the technologies that keep our country safe.”
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, said, “Kratos is truly honored to expand our presence in Oklahoma with this new, state-of-the-art propulsion production facility in Bristow. This new Kratos investment reflects our continued commitment to delivering high-performance, affordable jet engine technology to support the Department of Defense and our allies and answers the rising demand for propulsion systems for cruise missiles and CCA-type aircraft, while being targeted and optimized for cost reduction. The Bristow facility will play a critical role in accelerating production of the GEK family of engines, including the GEK800, and strengthening America's industrial base in this decisive era. We thank Governor Stitt and the State of Oklahoma for their partnership in helping us build the future of high-performance propulsion right here in the heartland.”
“Oklahoma is proud to be home to Kratos and all they do to provide cutting-edge defense technologies to our warfighters from target drones and unmanned combat aircraft to state-of-the-art turbine engines. Their investment in our state is an investment in our workforce, our warfighters, and our national security.” – Senator Markwayne Mullin
“Kratos’ expansion in Oklahoma is further proof that Oklahoma is a hub for innovative defense technology and high-quality manufacturing jobs. I am proud of all Kratos does day-to-day, providing our servicemembers with the best technology in the world, and ensuring our national security.” – Congressman Kevin Hern
“Kratos' decision to grow in Oklahoma highlights Oklahoma’s strong workforce and unwavering support for our nation’s defense mission. Kratos continues to excel and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this facility will have on our state and national security.” - Congressman Frank Lucas
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 29, 2024, 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
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