US Air Force Selects GE-Kratos F143 as Secondary Engine for JASSM Missile Program
The US Air Force has awarded a contract to GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense for the development of the F143-ZZ-100 engine as a second-source propulsion system for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). The engine, tested over 50 times since 2023, is part of a broader effort to expand standoff-strike capabilities.
The US Air Force has awarded a contract to GE Aerospace and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for the development of the F143-ZZ-100 engine as a secondary propulsion source for the Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM). The engine, jointly developed by the two companies, is designed to supplement rather than replace existing propulsion systems for the missile.
The F143 is an 800-pound-thrust turbofan intended for long-range missiles and uncrewed applications. It joins the Williams International F107-WR-105 turbofan, which powers the AGM-158B JASSM-ER, and the Teledyne CAE J402-CA-100 turbojet used in the baseline AGM-158A.
## Testing and Development Milestones
Since 2023, GE Aerospace and Kratos have conducted over 50 engine starts during ground testing at their facilities. In 2025, they completed altitude testing at Purdue University’s Maurice J. Zucrow Laboratories. The companies began collaborating under a Technology Maturation and Risk Reduction (TMRR) phase, supported by internal investment and funding from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Amy Gowder, president and CEO of GE Aerospace Defense & Systems, stated that the engine’s designation and contract award reflect years of disciplined engineering. Eric DeMarco, president and CEO of Kratos, emphasized the project’s role in rebuilding US capacity to manufacture low-cost jet engines for drones and cruise missiles.
## Expanding Engine Capabilities for Uncrewed Platforms
The F143 is the smallest in a family of engines GE Aerospace is developing for uncrewed and expendable platforms. The company and Kratos received a $12.4 million Air Force contract in February 2026 for the preliminary design of the 1,500-pound-thrust GEK1500. Additionally, GE Aerospace won a separate award in May 2026 to advance the medium-thrust GE426 through preliminary design review.
The contract aligns with the Air Force’s broader effort to expand its standoff-strike inventory, including the development of the FAMM-BAR, a low-cost cruise missile expected to be procured at 1,000 to 2,000 units per year.
