Kratos Debuts J85-Powered Firejet Mk1 UAS in Sub-$500K Class
Kratos completed initial flights of its Mk1 Firejet UAS equipped with an American-made J85 engine, boosting top speed, range, endurance and climb rate in the sub-$500,000 tactical jet class. Production at its Spartan facility will ramp to thousands by year-end and tens of thousands over the next few years.
1. Integration and Performance
Kratos completed the initial flight series of its Mk1 Firejet unmanned aerial system powered by a U.S.-made J85 engine, marking the first tactical jet UAS in the high-performance, under $500,000 category. The new configuration delivers fighter-like speed, extended range, improved endurance and faster climb rates compared with the Classic Firejet.
2. Production Ramp-Up
Since opening its Spartan engine production facility in late 2025, Kratos is scaling output of the J85 configuration, targeting thousands of engines by the end of this year and tens of thousands over the next few years to meet U.S. and allied recapitalization requirements.
3. Dual-Model Strategy
The Firejet family now offers two configurations: the Classic Firejet with JetCat engines for target roles and the Mk1 Firejet with J85 power for enhanced tactical applications. A Tactical Firejet variant further equips the platform with sensor and weapons kits for subsonic, high-g maneuvers in training and combat simulations.
4. Strategic and Market Impact
By integrating an American-made engine and accelerating production, Kratos reduces supply chain risk and positions the Firejet line to address growing demand for affordable, high-performance UAS. This strategy could expand the company’s addressable market in military training and tactical drone sectors and support future revenue growth.