Kratos Receives Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) Contract from Prime Partner Dynetics to Increase U.S. Hypersonic Flight Tests

Rhea-AI Summary

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (NASDAQ: KTOS) has secured a subcontract for the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB) program, awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center. This initiative aims to enhance the U.S. capacity for hypersonic flight testing through a cost-effective test bed platform. By leveraging commercial infrastructure, the program will enable rapid technology maturation for various military hypersonic projects. Kratos will apply its expertise from its recent acquisition of Southern Research Engineering to support this endeavor effectively.

Positive

• Awarded subcontract for MACH-TB program, enhancing hypersonic flight testing capacity.
• Utilizing commercial infrastructure to enable cost-effective testing processes.
• Strong support from Kratos' expertise in hypersonic materials and systems.

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• None.

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 03, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, has been awarded a subcontract to increase America’s capacity for hypersonic flight testing. The program, known as Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonics Test Bed (MACH-TB), was awarded by Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division’s Strategic and Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) other transaction authority to Kratos partner and prime contractor Dynetics and the MACH-TB Team (the Team) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Under the MACH-TB contract, the Team will develop an affordable and responsive hypersonic test bed platform to dramatically increase the nation’s capacity for ground and flight testing of hypersonic technologies and payloads by leveraging commercial infrastructure and launch vehicle providers. The MACH-TB Experimentation project will result in a proof of concept and prototype demonstration of modular Experimental Glide Body (EGB) testing hypersonic technologies/experimental payloads in operational trajectories using already available boosters. The MACH-TB program will offer the DoD a national hypersonic testing capability to be leveraged by a broad range of U.S. military hypersonics programs, DoD research programs, industry partners, and stakeholders from academia.

MACH-TB will leverage many of Kratos’ strengths, products, systems, and solutions, including decades of experience and expertise with hypersonic materials and structures gained through the recent acquisition of the Kratos Southern Research Engineering (SRE) business unit, as well as decades of proven hypersonic flight testing and launch vehicle experience within Kratos Defense & Rocket Support Services (DRSS) Division.

Kratos’ DRSS Division is an industry leader in providing rocket, ballistic missile defense, sub orbital research, hypersonic and other systems, with significant commercial launch vehicle capability and hypersonic flight test experience. Kratos will support MACH-TB by providing responsive, reliable, and affordable launch and flight systems, vehicles and services at the operational tempo and cadence necessary to meet the DoD’s emerging needs. Over the past several years, Kratos has made significant investments in affordable, rapidly developed flight-test focused commercial solid rocket motors and hypersonic systems that will augment and expand the range of testing that is available today.

“At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we are leading from the front in developing launch vehicle and flight-test technologies for the hypersonics community”, said Dave Carter, President of the KDRSS Division. “A recent example of Kratos internally funded, rapid development leadership is our Zeus family of solid-propellant rocket motors, which will provide an affordable and reliable launch capability to support the MACH-TB program and the DoD in meeting their hypersonic test objectives.”

“We are happy to be a part of this incredibly capable and diverse Team tasked with boosting our nation’s capability to conduct responsive and affordable hypersonic testing to more rapidly develop technologies that can be inserted into current and future DoD hypersonic programs”, said Michael Johns, Senior Vice President of Kratos SRE. “As an organization that routinely works on the front lines interfacing with technology developers across the hypersonics industry, we are excited to see the MACH-TB capability come online to provide technology developers with opportunities to affordably mature their technology readiness levels and clear a path to future weapons systems program insertion opportunities.”

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training, combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to 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 26, 2021, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:
Yolanda White
858-812-7302 Direct

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

FAQ

What is the MACH-TB program awarded to Kratos (KTOS)?

The MACH-TB program aims to increase the U.S. capacity for hypersonic flight testing through the development of a cost-effective test bed platform.

Who awarded the subcontract for the MACH-TB program to Kratos (KTOS)?

The subcontract for the MACH-TB program was awarded by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division.

How will Kratos (KTOS) support the MACH-TB program?

Kratos will provide responsive and affordable launch and flight systems, leveraging its expertise in hypersonic systems and flight testing.

What technologies will the MACH-TB program utilize?

The MACH-TB program will use modular Experimental Glide Body (EGB) testing hypersonic technologies and existing boosters for operational trajectories.

What is the significance of the MACH-TB program for the DoD?

The MACH-TB program will provide the Department of Defense with a national capability for hypersonic testing, supporting various military programs and stakeholders.