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The U.S. …
24. September 2025
Kratos To Lead Charge In Revolutionary Vtol Drone Manufacturing
The Aerospace Industry Sees a Major Development with Kratos’ Exclusive Manufacturing Partnership for the Elroy Air Chaparral VTOL Cargo Drone
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a technology company specializing in defense, national security, and global markets, has been selected as the exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner for the Elroy Air Chaparral hybrid-electric autonomous vertical takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) cargo drone. This five-year strategic manufacturing agreement is expected to accelerate the production of the Chaparral, a vehicle designed to autonomously transport up to 300 pounds of cargo over 300 miles.
The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air was announced earlier this year, with both companies expressing their excitement about the collaboration. According to Andrew Clare, CEO of Elroy Air, “Kratos is an established and trusted producer of military UAS and is unique in their manufacturing focus on affordability. Their expanded production capabilities make them the ideal partner to bring Chaparral to market at scale.”
The Chaparral, developed by Elroy Air, is designed for middle-mile logistics and military resupply, offering a unique solution for bridging critical logistics gaps. The vehicle’s hybrid-electric powertrain enables rapid refueling, extra power for recharging batteries, and powering payloads in cruise flight, making it an attractive option for various industries. With Kratos on board as the exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner, the production of Chaparral is expected to accelerate, with the first aircraft planned to be built in 2026.
Kratos’ President and CEO, Eric DeMarco, stated that “Kratos is the recognized industry leader for rapid development, production, and delivery of affordable, leading technology unmanned aerial drone systems. This partnership leverages Kratos’ deep expertise and scaled infrastructure to put the Chaparral into high-volume production.” The company’s extensive experience in producing military UAS and its ability to deliver thousands of drones have made it an ideal partner for Elroy Air.
The production of Chaparral will take place at Kratos’ facilities in Sacramento, California, and Oklahoma City. These efforts are expected to bring aerospace jobs to both regions and expand the current supply chain infrastructure that includes many other states across the nation. According to Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, “Elroy Air’s market opportunity for Chaparral is already large and continuing to grow. With this growth, Kratos is ideally suited to transition the system to production.”
The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air also highlights the growing demand for autonomous aerial cargo systems. The Chaparral’s unique design and hybrid-electric powertrain make it an attractive option for various industries, including military resupply, disaster relief, and commercial express delivery. With Kratos on board as the exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner, Elroy Air is well-positioned to deliver robust, world-class Chaparral vehicles in high volumes.
Dave Merrill, Elroy Air’s Founder and Executive Chairman, stated that “Kratos’ proven ability to produce large, composite drones in high volumes makes them the perfect partner to help us scale production of the Chaparral.” The company’s customers are eager to expand their operations with Elroy Air’s systems, and Kratos’ deep production expertise and track record will enable them to deliver robust, world-class Chaparral vehicles in high volumes.
The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air has significant implications for the future of unmanned aerial systems. With advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new drones, it is clear that the UAS market will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years. The demand for autonomous aerial cargo systems is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new unmanned aerial systems.
As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this partnership contributes to the development of new technologies and innovations in the UAS sector. With its unique design and hybrid-electric powertrain, the Chaparral is set to become a leading solution for military resupply, disaster relief, and commercial express delivery.
The aerospace industry has seen significant growth in recent years, with advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new unmanned aerial systems. The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air is a testament to this growth, with both companies committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions to various industries. The production of Chaparral will take place at Kratos’ facilities in Sacramento, California, and Oklahoma City, bringing aerospace jobs to both regions.
The demand for autonomous aerial cargo systems is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new unmanned aerial systems. With Kratos on board as the exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner, Elroy Air is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, delivering cutting-edge solutions to various industries.
The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air has significant implications for national security and global markets. The Chaparral’s hybrid-electric powertrain and autonomous capabilities make it an attractive option for military resupply and disaster relief operations. With Kratos’ manufacturing expertise, the production of Chaparral is expected to accelerate, with the first aircraft planned to be built in 2026.
The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air will also be showcased at the upcoming Miramar Air Show, held on September 26-28 at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. The event will provide an opportunity for both companies to demonstrate their capabilities and showcase the Chaparral’s unique features.
The demand for autonomous aerial cargo systems is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new unmanned aerial systems. With Kratos on board as the exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner, Elroy Air is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, delivering cutting-edge solutions to various industries.
The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air has significant implications for the future of unmanned aerial systems. With advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new drones, it is clear that the UAS market will continue to grow and evolve in the coming years. As the demand for autonomous aerial cargo systems continues to rise, it is essential to have a robust and reliable supply chain in place.
The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air provides a solution to this challenge, with both companies committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions to various industries. The production of Chaparral will take place at Kratos’ facilities in Sacramento, California, and Oklahoma City, bringing aerospace jobs to both regions and expanding the current supply chain infrastructure.
Overall, the partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air is a significant development in the UAS market, with both companies poised to accelerate production of the Chaparral. With its unique design and hybrid-electric powertrain, the Chaparral is set to become a leading solution for various industries, driving growth and innovation in the aerospace sector.
The demand for autonomous aerial cargo systems is expected to continue growing in the coming years, with advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new unmanned aerial systems. The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend, delivering cutting-edge solutions to various industries.
As the market continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how this partnership contributes to the development of new technologies and innovations in the UAS sector. With its unique design and hybrid-electric powertrain, the Chaparral is set to become a leading solution for military resupply, disaster relief, and commercial express delivery.
The aerospace industry has seen significant growth in recent years, with advancements in technology and innovation driving the development of new unmanned aerial systems. The partnership between Kratos and Elroy Air is a testament to this growth, with both companies committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions to various industries.