U.S.-based defence firm Kratos Defence & Security Solutions will produce cost-effective turbojet engines for cruise missiles and reusable (Attritable) UAVs.

The firm announced the reach of an agreement worth $12.7 million under the ATTAM contract. The program will be managed by the Turbine Engine Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory.

This development came after Kratos’ newly developed turbojet engine completed tests in less than 18 months.

AI-powered Attritable UAVs can jointly conduct missions with other manned and unmanned aircraft to counter enemy air forces, conduct electronic warfare, and precisely hit targets. The platforms, which the Air Force calls Attritable, are designed to fly in a limited number of sorties and have unit costs ranging from $2 million to $20 million depending on their mission systems. Thus, the use of such UAVs became suitable for aircraft in environments where there was a high risk of being shot down.