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Industry · Shipbuilding

Fincantieri-Leonardo venture targets 18-month FREMM build time cut, Breaking Defense reports

Executives aim to shorten the FREMM delivery window from 54 to 36 months, Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said, according to Breaking Defense.

At Euronaval in Paris on Tuesday, Fincantieri and Leonardo signed a letter of intent to restructure their naval joint venture, Breaking Defense reported.1 The agreement sets out guiding principles for their future collaboration.2

Breaking Defense reports Leonardo and Fincantieri announced a restructuring of OSN

Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN)

OSNoverarching integratorplanned

will return to its former model, in which OSN serves as an overarching integrator of an entire warship

Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero54 to 36 monthsplanned

Folgiero said executives set a goal of cutting the delivery window for FREMM frigates from 54 to 36 months

Reported by Breaking Defense, Nov. 4, 2026; Leonardo, Nov. 3, 2026

Sources
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The change would put Orizzonte Sistemi Navali (OSN), their joint venture, back in charge of integrating an entire warship, Breaking Defense reported. Fincantieri and Leonardo currently tend to manage separate aspects of the same ship.1

Fincantieri CEO Pierroberto Folgiero said executives aim to cut the FREMM delivery window from 54 to 36 months.1

The agreement aims to strengthen OSN's industrial and commercial role and its position in integrating naval platforms and combat systems, according to Leonardo's release. OSN's programs include FREMM EVO frigates currently under construction.2

OSN also signed a €3.7 billion contract with OCCAR in September, Breaking Defense reported. It covers development, production and initial in-service support of two DDX destroyers for the Italian Navy.1

Executives expect the renewed venture to compete more effectively in European and export markets, Breaking Defense reported. The outlet described the FREMM delivery goal as a test of whether the companies can achieve a timeline similar to the Korean shipbuilding industry.1

Sources (2)
  1. Breaking Defense: Leonardo, Fincanteri revamp joint venture, aiming to trim frigate build time by 18 months (Nov. 4, 2026) breakingdefense.com
  2. Leonardo: Fincantieri and Leonardo sign an agreement to further strengthen the role of OSN (Nov. 3, 2026) leonardo.com
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Industry · Unmanned systems

Kratos plans a turbojet production ramp ahead of expected sales

Kratos targets up to 3,000 engines produced in 2027. It forecasts about 1,500 sold, with cash flow estimates including working capital for the ramp.

Kratos plans to increase turbojet production to address expected customer demand for jet engines for small cruise missiles and drones. Its 2027 forecast assumes about 1,500 engines sold, with most deliveries in the second half.1

Kratos plans turbojet production ahead of forecast sales

Turbojet engines, 2027: company production target and sales forecast

Planned productionUp to 3,000
Forecast salesApproximately 1,500

Kratos forecasts the significant majority of engine deliveries in the second half of 2027.

Source: Kratos third-quarter 2026 results. As of Nov. 5, 2026.

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Kratos's fiscal 2026 and 2027 cash flow estimates include working capital for materials, components and equipment to increase production of turbojet engines up to 3,000 engines produced in 2027.1

Third-quarter 2026 revenue grew 35.7% year over year. Organic growth, excluding the current-year contribution from acquisitions, was 23.2%. Turbine Technologies posted 27.1% organic revenue growth.1

Growth is already absorbing cash. Third-quarter 2026 operations used $5.2 million, which Kratos attributed primarily to receivables growth, alongside inventory increases tied to production ramps and development investments.1

For full year 2026, Kratos forecasts free cash flow use of $110 million to $120 million. It forecasts capital expenditures of $100 million to $110 million. It expects investments in inventory, property, plant, equipment and facilities to continue at least throughout fiscal 2027.1

Kratos raised $1,348.4 million from common stock issuance, net of issuance costs, in the first nine months of fiscal 2026. It ended the quarter with $1,404.3 million in cash and cash equivalents.1

Separately, third-quarter Unmanned Systems revenue fell to $74.6 million from $87.2 million a year earlier. Kratos attributed the decline to a prior-year shipment of Valkyries to an international customer that generated $16.1 million.1

Kratos says continuing resolutions typically restrict production-rate increases and new program starts. Its guidance assumes a continuing resolution into its first fiscal quarter of 2027. If it extends beyond March 31, 2027, the company says it will need to reassess its initial forecast for that year.1

Sources (1)
  1. Kratos Reports Third Quarter 2026 Financial Results, Nov. 5, 2026 ir.kratosdefense.com

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Industry · Submarines

Rolls-Royce's submarine reactor business plans large-component prototyping at a Derby technology park

Rolls-Royce expects the Derby technology park to expand capacity supporting submarine programmes while allowing its Raynesway site to focus on delivery.

Rolls-Royce Submarines announced a partnership on Nov. 6 with INFINITY, a private company creating a technology park in Derby, to develop large-scale prototypes of advanced defence components.1

Rolls-Royce Submarines announced a strategic partnership with INFINITY

aimed at developing large-scale prototypes of advanced defence components

technology park in Derbyfull-scale prototypingplanned

digital engineering, testing and validation, skills development and supply chain collaboration

technologies and processes includinghot isostatic pressingplanned

power beam welding and additive manufacturing

Rolls-Royce release, 6 November 2026

Sources
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Lee Warren, engineering and technology director at Rolls-Royce Submarines, said the park would allow the company to focus on delivery at Raynesway while developing advanced manufacturing techniques at purpose-built facilities. Warren tied the need to explore new technologies to the business's growth to meet demand for naval nuclear propulsion work. That includes increasing its manufacturing pace and providing reactors to Australia under the AUKUS agreement.1

The planned capabilities include hot isostatic pressing, power beam welding and additive manufacturing. Rolls-Royce expects these to provide greater control over manufacturing large, strategically important components for markets including fission, fusion, defence and aerospace.1

The Rolls-Royce Nuclear Skills Academy already operates on the 200-acre site, where the company will work with INFINITY to develop the additional capabilities. The park is intended to bring full-scale prototyping, digital engineering, testing and validation, skills development and supply chain collaboration together on one site.1

Rolls-Royce Submarines designs, manufactures and supports the pressurised water reactors powering every Royal Navy submarine. It currently supplies reactor plant and associated components for the Astute and Dreadnought build programmes.1

Rolls-Royce expects the new capabilities to shorten development cycles and expand the industrial capacity available to support submarine programmes. The announcement gives no timetable for bringing those capabilities into use.1

Sources (1)
  1. Rolls-Royce: Rolls-Royce Submarines partners with INFINITY to develop new capabilities for UK defence, Nov. 6, 2026 www.rolls-royce.com