Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc. is expanding its manufacturing campus in Oklahoma City to increase production of its jet-drone programs.
The expansion addresses rising demand for unmanned aerial systems and aims to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base. By increasing capacity for assembly and integration, Kratos can accelerate the delivery of critical autonomous platforms to military operators.
The company announced the investment on July 6, 2024 [1]. The project focuses on adding manufacturing, assembly, integration, and test capacity specifically for its jet-drone portfolio. This includes the Valkyrie and Firejet systems, which are designed for high-performance autonomous operations.
While several reports identify the expansion site as Oklahoma City, some documentation refers to Bristow, Oklahoma. The move is intended to streamline the production pipeline for these high-demand systems, ensuring that the company can scale output as government requirements grow.
The facility will serve as a hub for the integration of complex drone components. This growth reflects a broader trend in the defense sector toward the rapid deployment of low-cost, attritable aircraft that can operate in contested environments without risking crewed platforms.
Kratos intends for the Oklahoma site to optimize the transition from prototype to full-rate production. This investment allows the company to better manage the lifecycle of the Valkyrie and Firejet programs as they move through various testing and operational phases.
“Kratos is expanding its manufacturing campus in Oklahoma City to increase production of its jet-drone programs.”
This expansion signals a shift toward the industrialization of autonomous combat drones. By scaling the production of platforms like the Valkyrie, the U.S. is moving away from a small number of expensive, manned aircraft toward larger fleets of cheaper, unmanned systems that can be replaced quickly in high-intensity conflicts.
