Kratos has announced the completion of the first flights of the new Mk1 Firejet, a jet-powered drone equipped with a J85 engine and developed in partnership with the United States Army.
The development marks the company’s entry into the high-performance tactical unmanned aircraft segment with a price tag below $500,000, positioning the model as a more affordable option within the military market.
The new Firejet emerges as an evolution of the classic version, which has been in use for over a decade, and incorporates significant improvements in range, speed, endurance, and climb performance. In addition, the use of a U.S.-produced engine reduces supply chain risks—an increasingly relevant factor amid rising demand for military equipment during recent conflicts.
The company also highlighted the expansion of its industrial capacity, with its Spartan facility increasing production of the J85 engine to thousands of units per year. The goal is to meet the growing need for drone replenishment from the United States and allied nations, whose stockpiles have been declining in recent years.
Another strategic point is the possibility of the Mk1 Firejet operating within the concept of Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), flying alongside manned fighter jets in tactical missions. With competitive pricing and a focus on scalable production, the model reflects a broader trend within U.S. armed forces to invest in efficient, rapidly producible unmanned systems with controlled costs.
Kratos just hit another major milestone in affordable, high-performance unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The Kratos J85-powered Mk 1 Firejet is now flying, unlocking a new tier of capability across both tactical missions and high-performance target operations.
This new… pic.twitter.com/a9a6RTMPyH
— Kratos (@KratosDefense) April 21, 2026
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Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @KratosDefense | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
