With the new J85 engine configuration, the Firejet takes a major step forward in the aero-performance category for those who need the extra performance.
A Texas-based company has successfully completed the initial flight tests of its new J85-powered Mk1 Firejet drone, marking a significant milestone in the evolution of affordable, high-performance unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions carried out the test in collaboration with the U.S. Army Target Systems Management Office. The test signals a shift toward scalable and cost-effective tactical drone capabilities.
Major step forward in the aero-performance category
The company completed the initial flight series of the Kratos J85 engine version of the Firejet unmanned aerial system (UAS), dubbed Mk1 Firejet. This second major configuration of the Firejet enables users/customers to select the model that best suits their operational requirements. With the new J85 engine configuration, the Firejet takes a major step forward in the aero-performance category for customers who need the extra performance.
In addition to the U.S. Army operating the Classic Firejet, ally countries around the world operate the Classic Firejet, most recently including Taiwan, which has selected the Tactical Firejet named Mighty Hornet IV for their configuration.
With the new Kratos Spartan engine production facility established in late 2025, production is ramping up for the J85 and other Spartan engine models. Production rates are expected to be in the thousands by later this year and tens of thousands over the next few years meeting the demand for recapitalization which is becoming even more important this year with depletion of U.S. and ally inventories.
System can now meet the cost-performance levels
“Kratos is committed to developing and providing threat-representative target aircraft systems and to offering survivable tactical UAS. With this new version of the Firejet in both target or tactical applications, we increase range, endurance, speed, and climb rate without penalizing survivability,” said Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems.
“Importantly, we also reduce supply chain risk by using an American-made Kratos engine with engine components sourced in the U.S.A. With the two Firejet models, Mk1 and Classic Firejet, we can now meet the cost-performance levels aligned with various customers’ needs.”
Classic Firejet, the baseline Firejet target system, supports key missions for the U.S. Army at a high level of aerodynamic performance. Flying since the early 2010s with JetCat engines, Classic Firejet has evolved and been adapted to meet the customer performance and threat representation requirements over time.
“With our rapid advancement and in production, military-grade jet engines, Kratos is making internal investments to answer the Department of War’s call to industry to deliver affordable, high performance, military capability today,” said Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos.
“Kratos has invested significant internal resources and together with Army, have integrated a leading technology engine with the Firejet jet drone system. In addition to the increased performance as a target, this engine configuration of Firejet is first-to-market as a CCA type, tactical jet UAS, in the high-performance, sub-$500,000 arena; another example where affordability is a technology.”
Additionally, the Tactical Firejet, a variant of the baseline Firejet developed in response to recent years’ world events and configured to enable and perform key tactical drone operations, rather than use for target missions, maintains key Kratos platform features, including high subsonic speed, high-g maneuverability, optimized performance-per-cost class, and sensor/weapons capability, according to press release.
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Prabhat, an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, is a tech and defense journalist. While he enjoys writing on modern weapons and emerging tech, he has also reported on global politics and business. He has been previously associated with well-known media houses, including the International Business Times (Singapore Edition) and ANI.