The GEK800 engine by GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has been chosen for a United States Air Force (USAF) contract for turbofan Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD).

The engine also received the U.S. Military Engine Type Designation F143-ZZ-100.

The aim of the EMD contract is to establish the GEK800 turbofan as a second-source propulsion system for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM).

Securing the designation and the EMD contract means progress toward smaller high-performance engines that reduce costs and emissions, to be used in aircraft like:

• Cruise missiles
• Collaborative combat-type aircraft
• Uncrewed aerial vehicles

President and CEO of GE Aerospace Defense & Systems Amy Gowder said, “The F143 designation and EMD award are a testament to the strong performance and capability of the GEK800 engine and the strength of our partnership with Kratos.”

Gowder continued, “This reflects years of disciplined engineering to deliver propulsion systems that meet the evolving, mission-critical requirements of our military customers.”

Kratos President and CEO Eric DeMarco said, “Kratos has been working with our outstanding partner GE Aerospace and the United States Air Force to support the Department of War in reindustrializing U.S. manufacturing capacity and capability in the area of low cost, rapidly manufacturable, in large quantities, jet engines for drones, cruise missiles, and other systems.”

“The DoW is providing industry clear demand signals, including multi-year contractual framework agreements for missile systems, and both Kratos and GE Aerospace have responded, including making significant investments with our government partners, to support U.S. National Security priorities,” added DeMarco.