The trans-Pacific deal will pair Kratos's XQ-58A Valkyrie drone technology with KAI’s advanced aircraft to create "affordable mass" and "collaborative strike" capabilities for U.S. and allied forces.
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| A “low-observable loyal wingman” system. Screengrab from video posted to social media |
U.S. defense contractor Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has announced a major strategic partnership with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), South Korea's premier aerospace manufacturer. The collaboration is aimed at accelerating the development of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) technologies, a move that will directly integrate U.S. autonomous drone systems with advanced Korean-made aircraft.
The partnership, detailed in a press release, will combine Kratos’s extensive experience in autonomous tactical aircraft including the XQ-58A Valkyrie, Mako, and Tactical Firejet with KAI’s world-class aerospace design and manufacturing capabilities.
The core focus of this effort is to create scalable, affordable, and interoperable combat solutions. In short, this alliance is designed to build the next generation of "loyal wingman" drones that can fly alongside crewed fighter jets, enhancing operational flexibility and creating "affordable mass" in the sky.
A "Next Step" in Autonomous Warfare
This collaboration signifies a new phase in air combat philosophy, moving from purely national programs to international alliances to build the "drone fleets" of the future.
“This partnership represents the next step in evolving how crewed and uncrewed aircraft operate together in contested environments,” said Steve Fendley, President of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division. “By combining Kratos’ proven autonomous jet systems with KAI’s advanced technologies, we are expanding the boundaries of affordable mass and collaborative combat capability for U.S. and allied forces.”
Kratos President and CEO Eric DeMarco emphasized the geopolitical importance of the deal, which strengthens ties between U.S. industry and a key Asian ally.
“Kratos has long believed that strategic international partnerships are key to ensuring readiness and deterrence through innovation,” DeMarco said. “Our collaboration with KAI, a world-class Korean organization, underscores our shared commitment to developing advanced, interoperable defense technologies that strengthen allied capability, resilience, and industrial cooperation.”
Co-Developing the "Swarm"
According to Kratos, the partnership will support joint research and integration across the full spectrum of MUM-T operations, including:
Autonomous Loyal Wingmen: AI-enabled drones that can fly in formation, protect a crewed "mother ship," and execute commands.
Distributed Sensing Systems: Using the drones as a networked swarm of "eyes" to provide a richer, wider battlefield picture to the human pilot.
Collaborative Strike Capabilities: Coordinating simultaneous attacks from both the crewed aircraft and its uncrewed wingmen.
The companies plan to explore opportunities for co-development, production, and future export, signaling that KAI’s future fighter jets (like the KF-21) could one day be sold as a complete package with Kratos-designed autonomous drones.
A Perfect Match
While KAI has not released a separate statement, the company has previously emphasized its own strategic goal of integrating AI and unmanned technologies into its aerospace portfolio, including its fighter aircraft and future aerial combat systems.
Kratos is already a dominant player in this field. Its XQ-58A Valkyrie is a centerpiece of the U.S. Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which is experimenting with pairing AI-enabled drones with piloted aircraft.
This new partnership with KAI leverages Kratos's focus on low-cost, high-performance jet drones, positioning the U.S. company as a key enabler in modernizing air combat for the entire U.S.-allied security network.