
Kratos Defense
KTOSKratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
- Founded
- 1994
- Headquarters
- San Diego, United States
- Stage
- Public
- Ownership
- Listed
- Market cap
- $8.76B-26.8% 30d
- Employees
- 4,300as of 2025
Quick Facts
About Kratos Defense
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., founded in 1994 and headquartered in San Diego, California, is a technology company focused on the defense and aerospace industries. The company specializes in providing critical infrastructure and technology solutions, primarily centered around satellite ground systems and radio frequency (RF) products. While specific product details are limited based on available information, Kratos appears to operate within the essential network that supports space-based communications and operations.
Kratos’ core capabilities lie in the development and provision of the ground-based infrastructure necessary for satellite command, control, and communications. This includes technologies for signal processing, data handling, and network management. The focus on RF products suggests expertise in the design and manufacturing of components and systems operating within the radio frequency spectrum, likely crucial for both satellite uplinks/downlinks and broader defense applications.
As a company established in 1994, Kratos has been a long-standing player in the defense sector, though publicly available information regarding specific missions, achievements, or key customers is currently limited. Their longevity suggests a proven ability to navigate the complexities of government contracting and maintain relevance within a demanding industry.
Kratos’ value proposition centers on providing reliable and secure ground infrastructure for satellite operations, a critical component for both commercial and government space activities. By focusing on these foundational elements, Kratos positions itself as a key enabler of space-based capabilities, supporting a range of applications from communications and Earth observation to national security.
Products and product lines
| Product | Line | Note |
|---|---|---|
| OpenSpace | Virtualized satellite ground system software | Software-based, virtualized satellite command-and-control, telemetry-tracking-and-control (TT&C) and ground communications platform that Kratos released 'first to market' in 2021; the first commercially available fully virtualized satellite ground system to achieve MEF 3.0 Carrier Ethernet certification. |
| Open Edge Terminal | Satellite communications edge terminal | Introduced in 2023 as the satellite industry's first open edge terminal for satellite communications and related applications. |
| GAIA 100 ground station | Tri-band (S/X/Ka) satellite ground antenna system | 5.5m/6.1m tri-band ground station with Auto Track Ka-band pointing and an integrated radome, supporting Earth observation, New Space, defense and SATCOM missions across LEO, MEO and GEO; received multi-million-dollar orders announced August 19, 2026 through newly acquired subsidiary Orbit Communications Systems. |
| Compass and Monics SATCOM software | Satellite network monitor-and-control / spectrum monitoring | Compass (monitor-and-control) and Monics (spectrum monitoring) software bundled with Kratos's Trifold transportable SATCOM gateway terminals in a $20 million mobile-gateway contract for a defense customer in Asia, announced September 1, 2026. |
| Trifold transportable SATCOM antenna | Mobile satellite ground terminal | Truck-mounted, transportable SATCOM antenna used in Kratos's mobile-gateway contracts for resilient defense communications networks. |
Timeline
- 2021 Kratos releases OpenSpace, its software-based, fully virtualized satellite ground system, 'first to market.' [source]
- 2023 Kratos introduces the satellite industry's first open edge terminal for satellite communications. [source]
- 2025 Kratos completes the preliminary design review, in September, for the Space Development Agency's $116.7 million Advanced Fire Control Ground Infrastructure (AFCGI) contract. [source]
- 2025 Kratos is awarded a $25.0 million task order under the Command and Control System-Consolidated (CCS-C) Sustainment and Resiliency (C-SAR) contract with U.S. Space Force Systems Command, supporting ground systems for evolved strategic satellite communications. [source]
- 2026 Kratos acquires Orbit Communications Systems in March, expanding its microwave, tracking and ground-station product portfolio. [source]
- 2026 Kratos announces multi-million-dollar orders for GAIA 100 tri-band ground station systems through newly acquired Orbit, on August 19. [source]
- 2026 Kratos wins a contract worth more than $20 million to deliver mobile SATCOM gateways -- transportable Trifold antennas, Compass and Monics software -- for a defense customer in Asia, announced September 1. [source]
Team
- Phil CarraiPresident, Space, Training and Cyber · source
Signals
- Market cap, 90 days
- -19.2%
- Verification
- Verified 2026-09-11
Categories & Capabilities
Industry Categories
Stock Performance
KTOS · Daily close data
Funding
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Frequently asked about Kratos Defense
Quick answers to the questions readers most often search for.
- When was Kratos Defense founded?
- Kratos Defense was founded in 1994 in United States.
- Where is Kratos Defense headquartered?
- Kratos Defense is headquartered in San Diego, United States.
- What does Kratos Defense do?
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., founded in 1994 and headquartered in San Diego, California, is a technology company focused on the defense and aerospace industries. The company specializes in providing critical infrastructure and technology solutions, primarily centered around satellite ground systems and ra…
- Is Kratos Defense publicly traded?
- Yes. Kratos Defense trades under the ticker KTOS on NasdaqGS.
- What sector does Kratos Defense operate in?
- Kratos Defense works in ground systems, Defense and Satellite communications, plus 2 other space-industry sectors.
Sources
The structured fields on this page (founding year, location, sector, status, listing) and the profile text are drawn from the sources below. How profiles are drafted and checked is described in our methodology.
- Official website (www.kratosdefense.com)
- Market data via Yahoo Finance (KTOS) · retrieved 2026-09-14
- SEC 10-K · retrieved 2026-09-04
- Wikidata / Wikipedia · retrieved 2026-09-04
- SEC DEF 14A proxy statement (filed 2 Apr 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-11
- Kratos: Executive leadership page · retrieved 2026-09-11
- Kratos: Kratos Receives Multi-Million-Dollar Orders for GAIA 100 Tri-Band Ground Station Systems Through Newly Acquired Orbit (19 Aug 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-11
- Kratos: Kratos Wins $20 Million Contract to Deliver Mobile SATCOM Gateways for Resilient Defense Network (1 Sep 2026) · retrieved 2026-09-11
Data Accuracy Notice: Information about Kratos Defense is compiled from publicly available sources including company websites, press releases, regulatory filings, and industry reports. Data is reviewed periodically but may not reflect the most recent developments.
