Kratos Plans Oklahoma Facility for GEK Engine Production

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is establishing a new advanced manufacturing facility in Bristow, Oklahoma, set to open by mid-2026, to produce the GEK family of small, lightweight turbofan engines, including the GEK800 and GEK1500. The 50,000-square-foot facility, expandable to 100,000 square feet with up to five production lines, aims to deliver affordable, high-performance propulsion systems for defense applications such as uncrewed aircraft systems and cruise missiles. The initial production capacity targets up to 500 engines annually, with plans to ramp up as demand grows, potentially reaching 500-1000 engines per year. This initiative is a partnership between Kratos and GE Aerospace, leveraging automotive industry suppliers to reduce costs and increase production scalability. The project is supported by the State of Oklahoma through grant funding for engine test cells and is expected to create approximately 60 initial jobs, with additional hires as production expands. Kratos positions these engines as competitive alternatives in a market dominated by established manufacturers, aiming to meet the rising demand for long-range precision strike capabilities among U.S. and allied defense forces.