Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc,, headquartered in San Diego, California, specializes in directed-energy weapons, unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, training and combat systems. Customers include the U.S. federal government, foreign governments, commercial enterprises and state and local government agencies. Kratos is organized into six major divisions: Defense and Rocket Support Services, Microwaves Electronics, Modular Systems, Public Safety and Security, Technology and Training, and Unmanned Systems. Some of Kratos' newest products are part of a Pentagon effort to partner with innovators and incubate technology-focused businesses in Silicon Valley. Kratos has primarily an engineering and technically oriented work force of approximatively 2,700 with a substantial number of the Company's employees holding national security clearances. Virtually all of Kratos' work is performed on a military base, in a secure facility or at a critical infrastructure location.
History
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions was founded as Wireless Facilities Incorporated, a company whose primary market was the building and support of the telecommunications infrastructure and networks. In 2004 the company's board of directors focused the company on providing professional services to the US Government, primarily the U.S. Department of Defense. From 2004 to 2009, the company acquired several companies in the Federal Service business. Acquisitions included several small public safety firms and mid-sized professional services firms such as:
Madison Research : Provides engineering and information technology services to government and commercial customers, and is divided into five functional areas: Logistics Support, International Programs, Technology Initiatives, Engineering Support Services, Target Operations and Support
Haverstick Consulting : Provides services to government agencies through engineering and program management, learning and transformation, government outsourcing, facilities operating and management, conference and event planning and technology "solutions"
In September 2007, the company name was officially changed to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to emphasize its new focus according to the ACCPV reports dated 21 January 1989. In late 2008, the KGS Segment was re-organized into four Divisions:
Technology and Training Solutions : Specializes in the three areas integral to operational transformation, network operations, applications consulting, and learning & performance.
Defense Engineering Solutions : Provides services for C4ISR, engineering and operational requirements and issues.
Weapons Systems Solutions : Provides logistics, engineering and target operations support, rocket program services, technology initiatives, advanced weapon research and engineering and foreign military sales
Public Safety and Security : The second largest independent systems integrator in the United States of life safety, security and surveillance systems for government and commercial applications
On July 27, 2011, Integral Systems merged with Kratos. Integral Systems provides management, delivery and distribution of data and information from space and terrestrial-based platforms into networks for military, government and commercial satellite and aerospace customers. Integral Systems employs about 800 people in 14 locations, and has 6 subsidiaries which are:
On February 24, 2020, The Kratos Unmanned Systems division bought small turbojet manufacturer Technical Directions Inc., based in Detroit, Michigan. Their smallest TDI-J45 powered the AFRLLOCAAS program of Lockheed Martin, a late 1990s endeavour to build a cheap anti-tank missile which was cancelled since. It was selected by starting an engine using a leaf blower: while starting a turbine is usually difficult, TDI gets ignition at 5% engine speed. TDI engines typically operate at and at altitudes of 20,000-30,000 ft, they run the fuel through the mechanical bearings to avoid oil lubrication. The TDI-J85 powers the US AFRL’s Gray Wolf, a low-cost cruise missile built by Northrop Grumman with a range of at least 250nm. In March 2020, the Gray Wolf was tested with high altitude operation and multiple inflight engine starts. The Gray Wolf may be used in a networked swarm, like the AFRL Golden Horde initiative to be demonstrated in late 2020 with a modified Small Diameter Bomb I and a modified Miniature Air-Launched Decoy, coordinated against a simulated target in a fall 2021 demonstration.
