SAN DIEGO, March 01, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that Aviation Week selected its UTAP-22 (Mako) as the 2018 Laureate Award winner for the Defense, Unmanned Systems category. Aviation Week’s Laureate Awards honor “extraordinary achievements in aviation, aerospace and defense,” and recognize leaders in the industry for their vision and innovation.

The judges said Kratos was selected for its “tenacious development of the UTAP-22 Mako, a militarized UAV derived from the U.S. Air Force’s BQM-167 aerial target drone.”

Kratos is recognized as being the industry leader in high-performance, low-cost jet aerial target systems that support the U.S. military and foreign ally military customers/users, with is primary customers including the United States Air Force, Navy, and Army. By building on its legacy of target drone technology, Kratos was able take the Mako from concept to operational aircraft in just two years. The judges also commented, “The highly maneuverable weapon and sensor-carrying unmanned aircraft has flown in large-scale military exercises and could soon be put into production for combat use.”

The Mako provides fighter-like performance and is designed to function as a wingman to manned aircraft as a force multiplier in contested airspace.  Kratos is an industry leader in the rapid development, demonstration, and fielding of technology leading systems and products for National Security at an affordable cost.  Kratos is currently under contract on multiple high performance jet powered tactical unmanned aerial drone systems, in addition to the Mako.

“It is an honor to be recognized by Aviation Week and to receive the Laureate Award for Defense, Unmanned Systems,” said Eric DeMarco, President & CEO of Kratos. “We believe that the Mako is a game changer for both our National Security customers and for Kratos. With its low cost, runway independence, and extreme high performance, the Mako can be tasked in support of manned fighter jets, or conduct independent missions, and in either case can be deployed in small numbers or in large quantities; ultimately changing the nature of force multiplication, distributed lethality, and aerial combat.”

For more than 60 years, Aviation Week's Laureate Awards have recognized the extraordinary achievements of individuals and teams in aviation, aerospace, and defense. Their accomplishments embody the spirit of exploration, innovation and vision that inspire others to strive for progress, change and leadership in aviation and aerospace.

About Kratos
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops transformative technology for the Department of Defense and commercial customers. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology for these industries are brought to market through proactive research and a streamlined development process. Kratos specializes in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense and combat systems. For more information, go to www.kratosdefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 31, 2017, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Contact:
Jon Schmid
619-814-2370 x12
jschmid@cookandschmid.com