Sunday, November 8, 2026
TGOs

The business of defense

Get the Weekly
Topics
Menu
Search

Industry · Munitions

Machina selected to deploy robotic factories for LUCAS-class drone airframes

The company was selected to develop and qualify a metal airframe, then deploy two pilot robotic factories under a Department of War industrial base challenge.

Machina announced its selection Nov. 6 to develop and qualify a metal airframe for a LUCAS-class aircraft under the Department of War’s Organic Industrial Base Modernization Challenge. The program also includes two pilot expeditionary robotic factories, which Machina calls Edge Factories, to support production.1

Machina will also deploy two pilot expeditionary robotic factories

A RoboCrafted airframe for a LUCAS-class aircraft

metal-based airframedevelopment and qualificationplanned

the program will begin at Machina’s Los Angeles facilities

Edge Factoriestwo pilot expeditionary robotic factoriesplanned

Each pilot Edge Factory will initially center on a containerized RoboCraftsman™ manufacturing cell

Source: Machina release via Business Wire

Sources
TGOs tgos.io

The program pairs airframe qualification with a plan to deploy manufacturing equipment closer to the point of need. Machina Bellator, the company’s defense subsidiary, leads the program, which will begin at Machina’s Los Angeles facilities. Development and qualification of the airframe will precede deployment of the factories. LUCAS-class refers to a low-cost uncrewed combat attack system, a type of Class 3 unmanned aircraft system.1

Each pilot factory will initially center on a containerized manufacturing cell supported by engineers, software and complementary production equipment. Machina says its RoboForming technology makes metal structures directly from digital geometry without dies or hard tooling.1

Machina says it has manufactured and flown a drone demonstrator using a manufacturing workflow developed with nTop, completing the assembled structure just weeks after final design lock.1

Machina says the factories can produce drone airframes in a fraction of the time and cost of traditional composite manufacturing. The two factories are pilots, and the announcement does not disclose the dollar value, contract instrument, production quantities or a deployment schedule.1

Sources (1)
  1. Machina Selected by U.S. Department of War to Deploy Expeditionary Robotic Factories for LUCAS Manufacturing, Machina release via Business Wire, Nov. 6, 2026 www.businesswire.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