Sunday, November 8, 2026
TGOs

The business of defense

Get the Weekly
Topics
Menu
Search

Industry · Shipbuilding

Navy and Marines plan larger amphibious fleet at lower readiness, Defense One reports

The Marine Corps thinks it needs 40 amphibious ships to keep three Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units deployed at all times, Defense One reports.

Navy and Marine Corps leaders have drawn up a plan to expand the amphibious fleet while accepting a lower readiness level, Defense One reported Nov. 5. The Marine Corps thinks it needs 40 ships to keep three Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units deployed at all times.1

The Marine Corps thinks it will need 40 amphibious ships

in exchange for a lower readiness level

larger amphib fleet13 big-deck amphibious assault ships and 27 smaller dock shipsplanned

This larger amphib fleet would include 13 big-deck amphibious assault ships and 27 smaller dock ships

goalthree Amphibious Ready Groupsplanned

keeping three Amphibious Ready Groups with embarked Marine Expeditionary Units deployed at all times

Reported by Defense One

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

On average, amphibious ships are out of service more often than not, Defense One reported. Shon Brodie, the Marine Corps’ deputy director of Maritime Expeditionary Warfare, told reporters Wednesday that increasing inventory requires building new ships and extending the service life of some existing ones.1

The vice chief of naval operations and the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps developed the plan, Brodie said. The proposed fleet would include 13 big-deck amphibious assault ships and 27 smaller dock ships. The services are to meet lawmakers this month to discuss how to fund it.1

The expense of operating and maintaining 40 amphibious ships may make the target unrealistic, Hudson Institute senior fellow Bryan Clark said, according to Defense One. He said rising maintenance costs force work to be deferred, leaving ships in deteriorating condition.1

Brodie said maintenance had improved marginally and that he expected further improvement over the next couple of maintenance cycles. Extended deployments add wear and increase the burden on already delayed maintenance periods, Defense One reported.1

Making the plan work requires ships to return and enter maintenance on time, Brodie said, Defense One reported.1

Sources (1)
  1. Defense One: Navy, Marines: it’s easier to buy new amphibious ships than fix old ones faster www.defenseone.com
Story permalink ↗
Keep readingBack to top ↑

Next story

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.

TGOs tgos.io

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
Story permalink ↗

Next story

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
TGOs tgos.io

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
Story permalink ↗

More from TGOs