Jet drones can be described as an unmanned aerial vehicle. You can use them for surveillance, aerial targeting, and logistical support. They can even be used to replace human-piloted fighter aircrafts. The first radio-controlled drones were developed in the First World War. They are now more advanced. The only difference between a helicopter and a plane is the absence of a pilot.
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions developed the UTAP-22 military target drone. The drone can fly at altitudes from 7 to 40kft. You can add a variety of electronic upgrades to it. These upgrades include an aerodynamic package, which can provide an impressive fuel efficiency gain.
The UAV also has a SATCOM receiver, which allows a ground station to communicate with the drone. This is particularly important for long-range mission. It also includes a machine vision sensor, which allows the drone to perform autonomous navigation.
The drone can also withstand harsh environments. According to the company it can run at speeds of upto 500 miles per hours and sound. Moreover, it can be used in places that have little infrastructure.
According to the company, its JetQuad VTOL drone can hover precisely at one location. Unlike many other drones, it is built to be resilient to adverse weather. That is why it can handle rough terrain, operating in places where the electrical grid is not present. JetQuad has many options. You can choose from a basic model at $85,000 or an aerodynamic upgrade for $44,000.
Kratos introduced another type of drone: the XQ-222. This UAV is designed from a clean sheet design and was recently commissioned by the Air Force Research Lab. This aircraft can be modified to transport a variety of payloads and is designed to fly in areas that lack an electrical grid.
The U.S. Navy awarded the company a contract worth $50.9 million in December. Kratos was also awarded a $4.1million order from an overseas customer. The company didn't provide any details on the contract but stated that it would take anywhere from a year to 18 to fulfill the orders.
Kratos has also developed the XQ-58A Valkyrie and the XQ-58A Mako, both of which are designed for manned-uncrewed teaming operations. It is now the largest supplier of high-performance, affordable jet-powered unmanned aerial drones.
In addition to its aforementioned jet-powered drones, the company has also developed a drone that is suitable for indoor play. It has an internal weapon bay and low RCS, making it less sensitive and susceptible to vibrations.
The U.S. Air Force uses a variety of high-performance tactical plane drones manufactured by Kratos Uncrewed Systems Division. Additionally, the company operates several production lines that annually produce 150 drones.