Machine Nation News Team
March 19, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Has Secured A Contract, Valued At $59.33M, From NAVAIR To Produce An Additional SSAT Aircraft
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: KTOS) has landed a $59.33 million contract from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to produce an additional 70 BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target (SSAT) aircraft, announced on March 6, 2025. This deal, executed as Full Rate Production (FRP) Lot 6 under the Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) framework, brings the total value of FRP Lots 4 through 6 to $177.7 million, with a potential ceiling of $227.64 million if Lot 7 is fully exercised. The BQM-177A, a jet-powered unmanned system, mimics subsonic anti-ship cruise missile threats, supporting U.S. Navy training and weapons testing at sites like the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Hawaii. Work will primarily occur at Kratos’ facilities in Sacramento, California, and Fort Walton Beach, Florida, with delivery expected by late 2026.
The contract underscores Kratos’ role as a leader in affordable, high-performance unmanned aerial systems, a market projected to grow amid rising defense needs. Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, noted the SSAT’s evolution since its 2020 FRP debut, highlighting its adaptability to “peer-level threats” despite global production challenges. Alongside the aircraft, Kratos will supply mission kits and technical data, enhancing fleet readiness for the Navy’s $1 trillion defense ecosystem. This win follows a $57.6 million Lot 5 award in 2024, reinforcing Kratos’ steady pipeline, which now supports over 500 jobs across its U.S. operations, bolstering economic hubs like Sacramento.
Source:
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Press Release, March 6, 2025
Source:
Social Media Buzz (powered by X):
X flared up on March 30, 2025, with users cheering Kratos’ $59.33 million NAVAIR deal. Posts called it a “solid flex” for unmanned tech, with one noting the “70 new BQM-177A drones” as a boost for Navy training. The vibe reflects confidence in Kratos’ growth, with some pegging it as a “key player” in the defense boom, tying it to job gains and national security wins.
What is the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS)?
This is one of many key terms of our broad Machine Nation Essential Modern Precision Industries Guidebook (MPIG). Click here to get a copy straight to your inbox.
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) - Precision-engineered, remotely operated aircraft used across industries for tasks like surveillance, targeting, and testing, pivotal in modern defense for their cost-efficiency and reduced human risk.
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Related Tags:
#KratosDefense #BQM177A #NAVAIR #UnmannedSystems #DefenseTech #SSAT