GE Aerospace is forming a partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to continue their collaboration in propulsion technologies for the new drone weapons (unmanned aerial systems, UAS) and “collaborative combat aircraft” (CCA.) Similar to UAS (i.e., drones), CCAs are AI-powered vehicles that fly autonomously or in small groups and perform missions like air-to-air and air-to-ground combat, electronic warfare, and intelligence gathering.
The new “teaming agreement” extends a memorandum of understanding that GE and Kratos inked last year, to develop and produce small, cost-effective engines for unmanned platforms.
The agreement also provides the framework for the two companies to develop, manufacture, test, and field the GEK800 engine, and collaborate on other low-cost, expendable turbofan engines. That may refer to the GEK1500, another engine under development to support UAS, CCA, and similar applications, as affordable mass propulsion technologies for U.S. Dept. of Defense programs.
“The formalization of this teaming agreement and initiation of development of these new engines mark another step forward in our dedication to providing affordable, adaptable, high-performance propulsion systems for the future force,” stated Amy Gowder, president and CEO of GE Aerospace Defense & Systems.
