Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has been selected to participate in the initial Phase 1 evaluation stage of the U.S. Department of War’s Drone Dominance Programme, focused on assessing unmanned systems capable of executing one-way attack mission profiles.
The Phase 1 “Gauntlet” is structured as a live competition intended to evaluate platform performance across multiple mission scenarios. Following the evaluation phase, participants will be ranked, with successful companies eligible to receive prototype delivery awards based on performance results.
According to Kratos, its small unmanned aerial systems portfolio is designed to support mass attritable deployment concepts, which are increasingly being integrated into modern defence operational strategies.
The Drone Dominance Programme is structured across four independent phases over a two-year period and represents a reported investment of approximately $1.1 billion in unmanned systems technology development. The programme aims to procure approximately 350,000 units to support military capability development and operational readiness objectives.
Kratos states that its development approach focuses on internally funded research and development and rapid production capability, with an emphasis on affordability, manufacturing scalability and reduced programme risk. The company’s core business areas include unmanned aerial systems, propulsion systems for defence platforms, rocket and advanced vehicle systems, satellite ground systems, C5ISR technologies and simulation and training solutions.
The company indicates it will pursue programme opportunities either as a prime contractor or in partnership with larger system integrators, depending on programme investment requirements and contract probability assessments.
