The U.S. Air Force has awarded an Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD) contract selecting the GEK800 turbofan engine, developed through the partnership between GE Aerospace and Kratos, as the second-source propulsion system for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) program. The engine, which received the F143-ZZ-100 military type designation, delivers 800 pounds of thrust and is aimed at providing small, low-cost, high-performance propulsion solutions for cruise missiles and uncrewed aerial systems.
Amy Gowder, President and CEO of GE Aerospace Defense & Systems, said the F143-ZZ-100 designation and the EMD award reflect the strong performance of the GEK800 engine and the strength of the company’s partnership with Kratos. Gowder added that the milestone represents years of disciplined engineering aimed at delivering propulsion systems that meet the evolving, mission-critical requirements of military customers.
Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos, said the company has been working alongside GE Aerospace and the U.S. Air Force to support the Department of War’s efforts to reindustrialize U.S. manufacturing capacity and capability in the production of low-cost jet engines for drones, cruise missiles, and other systems. DeMarco noted that joint investments with government partners are being made to advance U.S. national security priorities.
Technology Maturation and Testing for the GEK800
The two companies launched the Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase in 2023 with support from the Air Force Research Laboratory, beginning engine testing on the GEK800. As part of this effort, more than 50 ground engine starts were completed at company test facilities, while altitude testing was successfully carried out at Purdue University’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories in 2025.
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Source: C4Defence-Kratos Defense
