GE Aerospace, Kratos to Develop GEK1500 Engine for Small Collaborative Combat Aircraft

The United States Air Force awarded a $12.4 million contract to GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to design a next-generation engine for small Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

According to GE Aerospace, the initial phase will focus on the preliminary design of the 1,500-lb thrust GEK1500 engine, which aims to meet demanding performance requirements while achieving aggressive cost targets for affordable mass production.

The GEK1500 is designed to power unmanned aerial systems (UAS), CCAs, and missiles, leveraging the architecture of the GEK800 cruise missile engine, currently completing technical maturation. An additional contract option could allow the team to assess design risks and characterize engine performance under flight and installation conditions.

The Air Force has prioritized high-performing, low-cost engines to enable the disruptive capabilities of small CCAs. Recent GEK800 altitude testing demonstrated critical technologies that provide increased range, thrust, electrical power, and reduced life cycle costs, shortening timelines and lowering expenses for the GEK1500.

This effort builds on a formal teaming agreement signed in June between Kratos and GE Aerospace to advance propulsion technologies for next-generation affordable unmanned platforms and CCA-type aircraft. The collaboration expands a 2024 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that established a framework for developing, manufacturing, testing, and fielding small, cost-effective engines, including the GEK800 and higher-thrust variants like the GEK1500.