Kratos Partners with North American Wave Engine on Contract to Develop VALP

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider and industry-leading provider of high-performance unmanned systems, announced today that it has partnered with North American Wave Engine Corporation to develop the Versatile Air-Launched Platform (VALP), an air-launched vehicle designed to leverage and demonstrate low-cost, high-impact technologies for future aerial systems. The VALP will use Wave Engine Corp.'s propulsion technology to bend the cost curve and reduce lead times for capabilities necessary to challenge near peer adversaries.

Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said, “Being at the forefront of high-performance unmanned systems, Kratos continuously pursues technologies that can transform the paradigms of their cost-per-performance. We look forward to working with Wave Engine Corp. to advance and help bring this state-of-the-art, novel platform and propulsion technology to market."

In June 2021, Wave Engine Corp. was awarded a $1 million contract from the United States Air Force Armament Directorate to build and demonstrate the VALP as part of the USAF’s efforts to develop high-impact technologies critical to the future of aviation and aerial combat. In support of this contract award, Kratos will be leading the aerodynamic and structural design of the airframe, as well as providing systems engineering support.

Daanish Maqbool, CEO North American Wave Engine Corporation, said, "A vehicle like the VALP demands innovative design philosophies, and we are pleased to have a dynamic industry-leading partner in this effort. We look forward to working with Kratos to develop the VALP and lay the technical foundations for the next generation of high-performance aerial vehicles."