Kratos turbojets power up for boeing’s JDAM LR surge
The gist
Kratos is cranking up turbojet engine production to power Boeing’s JDAM Long Range munitions—staking its claim as a go-to supplier in the next-gen missile race.
What to know
- Kratos is scaling up Spartan turbojet output to over 8,000 engines by 2028, backed by a new Michigan facility and aggressive long-lead component buys.
- The Spartan J85 engine is now the sole disclosed powerplant for Boeing’s $75 million JDAM Long Range program, enabling precision munitions to reach beyond 300 nautical miles.
- A three-phase manufacturing expansion positions Kratos for a major production surge in 2027, cementing its role as a key partner in affordable missile propulsion.
Turbojet Surge, Michigan Muscle
Kratos’ three-phase manufacturing expansion and advanced Auburn Hills facility are set to deliver unprecedented turbojet output, securing supply chains and elevating U.S. missile propulsion capacity.
Kratos is aggressively scaling up production of its Spartan turbojet engines to meet burgeoning defense demands, with plans to mass-produce over 8,000 units by 2028. This expansion is anchored by a strategic three-phase manufacturing infrastructure plan designed to boost capacity and enhance responsiveness to evolving customer requirements, ensuring Kratos can support a large multi-customer production run starting in 2027. By proactively procuring long-lead components, the company is positioning itself to maintain a steady supply chain and meet ambitious production targets.
Central to this production scale-up is Kratos’ state-of-the-art 22,500-square-foot Propulsion Manufacturing Facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, which is fully operational and optimized for sustained full-rate output of Spartan J85 engines. This facility’s readiness underscores Kratos’ commitment to delivering high-volume, affordable propulsion solutions, enabling seamless integration with programs like Boeing’s $75 million JDAM Long Range munition. The Auburn Hills site exemplifies how infrastructure investment is translating into tangible production capabilities.
JDAM LR’s Engine Powerhouse
Kratos’ Spartan J85 turbojets are locked in as the core of Boeing’s JDAM Long Range program, with aggressive early procurement and domestic production ensuring reliable propulsion for munitions exceeding 300 nautical miles.
Kratos has strategically dedicated expanded production capacity of its Spartan J85 turbojet engines to support Boeing’s $75 million JDAM Long Range program, establishing itself as the sole disclosed engine supplier for this precision-guided munition. The J85, the largest in Kratos’ Spartan line producing up to 200 pounds of thrust, is central to enabling the JDAM LR’s extended range capabilities, which exceed 300 nautical miles, underscoring Kratos’ critical propulsion role in this high-profile defense initiative.
Demonstrating strong confidence in the JDAM LR program’s trajectory, Kratos has proactively begun procuring long-lead components for a substantial Spartan engine production run slated for 2027, even before final contract values are definitized. This forward-leaning procurement strategy aligns with a broader multi-customer production ramp-up and is supported by a comprehensive three-phase manufacturing expansion plan designed to meet anticipated demand surges.
Kratos’ fully operational 22,500-square-foot Propulsion Manufacturing Facility in Auburn Hills, Michigan, is optimized for sustained full-rate production of Spartan J85 engines, providing Boeing’s JDAM LR program with a reliable domestic supply chain. Senior VP Joseph Kovasity highlights that integrating the Spartan turbojet family into the JDAM LR not only delivers scalable and affordable propulsion but also addresses urgent national defense needs through a domestically sourced solution.
Kratos Stakes Its Claim
A bold industry pivot and deepened defense partnerships position Kratos as a linchpin in scalable, affordable missile propulsion for the Pentagon’s next generation of long-range weapons.
Kratos is strategically redefining its role in the defense industry by positioning itself as a core supplier of affordable, high-volume propulsion systems for next-generation precision-guided munitions. Its fully operational Auburn Hills propulsion facility, coupled with planned capacity expansions, underpins this shift toward scalable missile propulsion solutions that can meet growing Pentagon demand. This deliberate pivot supports Kratos’s elevated spending and facility investments, signaling a long-term commitment to becoming a key player in both cruise missile and long-range munition propulsion markets.
The recent allocation of Spartan J85 engines to Boeing’s $75 million JDAM Long Range program exemplifies Kratos’s evolving partnership with major defense contractors and highlights propulsion as a near-term growth catalyst. By supplying engines for Boeing’s BSU-111/B precision-guided munition, Kratos not only reinforces its relevance in long-range munitions but also demonstrates its ability to scale production rapidly in response to U.S. Air Force contracts. This collaboration underscores Kratos’s expanding footprint in affordable, high-volume missile propulsion and cements its strategic importance in next-generation weapon systems.