A Sacramento-based division of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. will fabricate some parts of a new experimental aircraft capable of speeds in excess of 3,800 miles per hour for the Air Force Research Laboratory.
The Kratos Unmanned Systems Division in Sacramento manufactures jet-powered military target drones from composite materials for San Diego-based defense contractor Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (Nasdaq: KTOS).
“Kratos’ mission is to be a disruptive transformation agent to the U.S. national security industrial base and market, rapidly designing, developing, producing and fielding affordable systems and technology,” said Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco, in a news release.
Kratos is working with Reston, Virginia-based defense contractor Leidos Holdings Inc. on the Air Force's Mayhem Hypersonic Missile Program. Leidos (NYSE: LDOS) won the $334 million contract in December.
The Air Force Research Laboratory is trying to develop an expendable, air-breathing hypersonic vehicle that can be used as a weapon system and also for reconnaissance missions.
Leidos and Kratos, as well as aeronautics testing company Calspan Corp. and engineering firm Draper, are working on the Mayhem system over an initial 51-month period where the firms will be a “System Design Agent” for the Air Force lab, according to Kratos.
As an agent, the companies will tap capabilities from industry partners to research and develop air-breathing hypersonic prototypes. Hypersonic flight is in excess of Mach 5, or faster than 3,800 miles per hour.
The Mayhem team is being asked to develop a large-class version vehicle that surpasses current air-breathing systems in both range and payload capacity. The team is responsible for design of the airframe, propulsion, avionics and subsystems, Kratos said in a news release.
Kratos manufactures jet-powered military target drones at locations in north Sacramento County and at McClellan Park. The company also has more manufacturing in Oklahoma, and it has an engineering office in Roseville. Kratos was tied for fifth place on the Business Journal’s list last year of the largest manufacturers in the Sacramento area, with 500 local employees.
Some of the pieces for the Mayhem program will come from Sacramento, said Steve Fendley, president of the Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, in an email.
