Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Northrop Grumman announced a joint effort to develop the Marine Corps’ MUX TACAIR Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The award is an Other Transaction Agreement valued at $231.5 million and covers a 24‑month period of performance, giving the two companies a clear financial framework for the program.
The partnership combines Northrop Grumman’s advanced mission‑systems suite with Kratos’ Valkyrie unmanned aerial platform. The Valkyrie is designed as a low‑cost, attritable aircraft that can operate autonomously or in crewed‑uncrewed teaming missions, aligning with the Department of Defense’s affordable‑mass doctrine.
Strategically, the deal expands Kratos’ presence in the growing unmanned‑systems market and reinforces Northrop Grumman’s leadership in autonomous mission systems. The MUX TACAIR program is part of a broader Marine Corps effort to field collaborative combat aircraft that serve as “loyal wingmen” to manned fighters, a capability that is increasingly sought after in near‑peer conflict scenarios.
Management emphasized the significance of the collaboration. Northrop Grumman’s Krys Moen said the partnership “demonstrates our continued focus on delivering advanced sensing and autonomy solutions that meet the warfighter’s needs.” Kratos’ Steve Fendley noted that the integration “creates a high‑capability CCA at a price point that enables mass deployment.” Kratos CEO Eric DeMarco added that the Valkyrie “is a real, operational and proven platform that has been flying since 2019.”
The announcement was well received by investors, who viewed the contract as a validation of Kratos’ production‑ready technology and Northrop Grumman’s mission‑systems expertise. The deal signals a strong market appetite for collaborative combat aircraft and reinforces confidence in the companies’ ability to deliver on the program’s objectives.
The award provides a new revenue stream for both firms and positions them favorably for future Marine Corps and Department of Defense contracts. By combining a proven unmanned platform with cutting‑edge mission systems, the partnership enhances the U.S. military’s ability to field affordable, high‑capability aircraft that can operate alongside manned fighters, thereby strengthening national defense capabilities and the companies’ competitive standing.
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