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Industry · Counter-drone

Army assesses FD-1 drone interceptor to develop training for novice operators

The Poland assessment sought to develop operator training for wider use of the drone interceptor.

The Army assessed the FD-1 drone interceptor at Ustka Training Area in Poland. Operation Audacious Fury ran Nov. 2–6, 2026. The 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment’s Tactics, Integration and Employment Battery led the internal assessment.1

TIE Battery soldiers will be trained trainers

Internal assessment of the FD-1 Interceptor at Ustka Training Area, Poland

theater divisional air defense battalion02–06 November 2026actual

conducted an internal assessment of the FD-1 Interceptor at Ustka Training Area, Poland

Tactics, Integration and Employment Batterywill be trained trainersplanned

TIE Battery soldiers will be trained trainers passing training and certification to other units under U.S. Army Europe and Africa

Source: U.S. Army, DVIDS. As of Nov. 6, 2026.

Sources
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The battalion is working toward a training method that other units can use. Staff Sgt. Felix Aguilar, a platoon sergeant with the battery, said the unit sought to develop tactics and a training and certification system for soldiers unfamiliar with flying first-person view drones.1

The exercise sought cost-effective, lower-tier kinetic magazine depth against Group 1–3 and massed uncrewed aircraft threats. Battalion commander Lt. Col. John Verwiel said the unit could use many systems against massed drone threats while staying on the right side of the cost curve. He said the aim was to avoid using high-end munitions ineffectively.1

Mountain Horse Solutions, a Global Ordnance company, produces the interceptor. On Oct. 12, it announced a second order from the Army’s Global Tactical Edge Acquisition Directorate. Issued Oct. 8 under an Other Transaction Agreement, the award followed an initial award in the spring.2 The Army’s account of the assessment gives no intercept results or unit cost, and Mountain Horse’s announcement gives neither the order quantity nor its value.1–2

Verwiel wants to standardize training and the engagement process, then extend them across the force at scale. Battery soldiers are intended to become trainers who pass what they learn, along with training and certification, to other units under U.S. Army Europe and Africa.1

Sources (2)
  1. DVIDS: U.S. Army Air Defenders In Europe Assess C-UAS Interceptor, Nov. 6, 2026 www.dvidshub.net
  2. Mountain Horse Solutions: Second G-TEAD Order for FD-1 Interceptor, Oct. 12, 2026 mtnhorse.com
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Industry · Drone supply chain

Global Ordnance, Sparkz sign supply deal targeting 210,000 drone battery packs

The companies plan batteries with 100% U.S. content, including domestic base materials and assembly, with availability expected in early 2027.

Global Ordnance Holdings signed a Master Supply Agreement with Sparkz initially targeting 210,000 drone battery packs, announcing the deal on Oct. 20.1

Global Ordnance signed a Master Supply Agreement with Sparkz Inc.

Agreement initially targets 210,000 battery packs

Sparkzmanufacture and supply batteriesplanned

Sparkz will manufacture and supply batteries

Global Ordnancesales and distributionplanned

Global Ordnance will lead sales and distribution

batteries expected to be available in early 2027 and full manufacturing capacity expected to start in Q2 2027

Global Ordnance release via PR Newswire. As of Oct. 20, 2026.

Sources
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The agreement pairs Sparkz’s battery manufacturing with Global Ordnance’s defense sales and distribution network. The companies say the batteries will use a fully U.S. supply chain, including all base materials and assembly. They plan packs configurable to the power output and operational requirements of different unmanned systems.1

The companies expect batteries to be available in early 2027, with full manufacturing capacity expected to start in the second quarter of 2027.1

Sparkz markets U.S.-made lithium iron phosphate battery energy storage systems for the grid.2 Global Ordnance supplies ammunition, energetics and unmanned systems to the U.S. government and allied nations. The companies did not name a customer, purchase commitment or cell chemistry for the drone packs.1

The companies tie the agreement to tighter drone-component sourcing requirements under the Drone Dominance Program, describing the framework’s ultimate goal as a wholly domestic small-drone supply chain.1

Sources (2)
  1. Global Ordnance Holdings and Sparkz Establish First Fully Domestic-Sourced and Manufactured Drone Battery Production, PR Newswire, Oct. 20, 2026 www.prnewswire.com
  2. Sparkz sparkz.energy
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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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