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Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.: Q1 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q1 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 May 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 8 raised, 1 lowered, 9 new, 2 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue grew 22.6 percent: Revenue reached $371.0 million, with 15.8 percent organic growth. The company reported net income of $11.9 million and diluted EPS of $0.07. Source
  • Unmanned Systems revenue rose on Valkyrie: KUS revenue was $82.6 million, with 30.9 percent organic growth, driven mainly by Valkyrie-related activity. KUS operating income was $1.3 million. Source
  • Long-lead hardware expected in second half: Management expects to receive long-lead items on existing customer-funded programs in the second half, including solid rocket motors for hypersonic and other programs. Source
  • Parts shortages raise costs industry-wide: Management cited possible parts shortages and continued significant cost and price increases across the industry and at Kratos as assumptions behind guidance. Source
  • Consolidated backlog reached $2.010 billion: Consolidated backlog rose from $1.573 billion at year-end. Funded backlog was $1.457 billion and unfunded backlog $553.5 million. Source
  • Operating cash use tied to receivables: Operating cash use was $27.4 million, mainly from working capital tied to 22.6 percent revenue growth in receivables, plus inventory for production ramps and development. Source
  • Reconciliation funding to be spent in 2026: The Department told the company it intends to spend last year's $156 billion Reconciliation Bill defense funding in fiscal 2026, including Kratos programs. Source

“There is a generational recapitalization of the U.S. defense industrial base underway and Kratos is committed to doing its part to ensure that the Department and our country are successful.”

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue SourceFiscal 2026$1,700 - $1,760 millionRaised from $1,595 - $1,675 million
Adjusted EBITDA SourceFiscal 2026$170 - $176 millionRaised from $157 - $167 million
Revenue SourceSecond quarter 2026$400 - $410 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA SourceSecond quarter 2026$30 - $35 millionNew
Operating income (loss) SourceSecond quarter 2026($6 - $8) millionNew
Operating income (loss) SourceFiscal 2026$18 - $23 millionLowered from $55 - $60 million
Research and development SourceSecond quarter 2026$12 - $14 millionNew
Research and development SourceFiscal 2026$50 - $53 millionRaised from $44 - $47 million
Depreciation SourceSecond quarter 2026$11 - $12 millionNew
Depreciation SourceFiscal 2026$48 - $50 millionRaised from $44 - $46 million
Amortization SourceSecond quarter 2026$12 - $13 millionNew
Amortization SourceFiscal 2026$43 - $46 millionRaised from $14 - $16 million
Stock-based compensation SourceSecond quarter 2026$15 - $16 millionNew
Stock-based compensation SourceFiscal 2026$58 - $60 millionRaised from $44 - $45 million
Operating cash flow SourceFiscal 2026$60 - $70 millionRaised from $50 - $60 million
Capital expenditures SourceFiscal 2026$155 - $165 millionRaised from $135 - $145 million
Free cash flow use SourceFiscal 2026($85 - $105) million
Total forecast investments SourceFiscal 2026$248 - $270 millionNew
Prometheus joint venture funding SourceFiscal 2026$50 - $55 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA margin versus 2025 SourceFiscal 2026about 100 bps above 2025 reported rateKept
Adjusted EBITDA margin versus 2026 SourceFiscal 2027additional 100 bps above 2026 forecastKept

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year revenue and adjusted EBITDA forecasts raised in the first-quarter report. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Full-year 2026 operating income forecast reduced to a lower range than the prior quarter. Source
  • New guidance: Initial second-quarter 2026 guidance provided for the first time. Source
  • Guidance raised: Full-year operating cash flow and capital expenditure ranges raised from the prior quarter. Source
  • New: Orbit Technologies acquisition has closed and is included in current guidance; the prior quarter described it as pending. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue grew 22.6 percent: Revenue reached $371.0 million, with 15.8 percent organic growth. The company reported net income of $11.9 million and diluted EPS of $0.07. Source
  • Adjusted EPS rose year on year: Adjusted EPS was $0.16 against $0.12 a year earlier. Diluted weighted shares were 179.4 million, up from 156.2 million. Source
  • Operating income included stock compensation: Operating income was $4.7 million against $6.6 million a year earlier. Results include $15.0 million of non-cash stock compensation and $10.7 million of company-funded R&D. Source
  • Growth led by three KGS businesses: Defense Rocket Systems, Turbine Technologies and Microwave Products were the most notable growth areas within KGS, all compared with the first quarter of 2025. Source

Segments: KUS and KGS

  • Unmanned Systems revenue rose on Valkyrie: KUS revenue was $82.6 million, with 30.9 percent organic growth, driven mainly by Valkyrie-related activity. KUS operating income was $1.3 million. Source
  • KUS margin improved on volume and mix: KUS adjusted EBITDA was $5.2 million, or 6.3 percent of revenue, against $1.7 million a year earlier. The company cited revenue volume and mix. Source
  • KGS revenue grew 11.8 percent organically: KGS revenue was $288.4 million, up 20.4 percent including Nomad and Orbit. The text gives KGS operating income as $20.4 million; the segment table shows $20.3 million. Source
  • KGS adjusted EBITDA up on volume: KGS adjusted EBITDA was $33.5 million, or 10.0 percent of revenue, against $25.0 million a year earlier, attributed to volume and mix. Source

“Additionally, the Fiscal 2027 National Security spend is currently projected to be $1.5 trillion, an approximate $400 billion increase above Fiscal Year 2026”

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO

Products, programs and customers

  • Long-lead hardware expected in second half: Management expects to receive long-lead items on existing customer-funded programs in the second half, including solid rocket motors for hypersonic and other programs. Source
  • Valkyrie capacity plan set: The company plans to build a second production lot of 12 Valkyrie aircraft and to begin producing about 40 a year by the end of 2027. Source
  • Engine and air defense hardware named: Second-half receipts also include hardware for jet engine and propulsion systems, and for air defense, missile and radar production. Source

Costs, margins and pricing

  • Parts shortages raise costs industry-wide: Management cited possible parts shortages and continued significant cost and price increases across the industry and at Kratos as assumptions behind guidance. Source
  • Total adjusted EBITDA margin rose: Total adjusted EBITDA was $38.7 million, or 10.4 percent of revenue, against 8.8 percent a year earlier. Source
  • Amortization of intangibles increased: Amortization of intangible assets rose to $5.8 million from $2.1 million, and merger and acquisition expenses were $1.9 million. Source
  • 2027 margin step-up reiterated: Management reiterated a further 100 basis point margin increase in fiscal 2027, with full 2027 guidance to come at the third-quarter report. Source

“We believe that the scarcity value of Kratos is clear, we are investing to further increase our capabilities and manufacturing capacity”

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO

Demand, bookings and backlog

  • Consolidated backlog reached $2.010 billion: Consolidated backlog rose from $1.573 billion at year-end. Funded backlog was $1.457 billion and unfunded backlog $553.5 million. Source
  • KGS book-to-bill above 1 for quarter: KGS book-to-bill was 1.8 to 1 for the quarter and 1.2 to 1 for the last twelve months. Source
  • Twelve-month bookings reported: Consolidated bookings for the last twelve months ended March 29, 2026 were $1.715 billion, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0. Source

Capital, cash and returns

  • Operating cash use tied to receivables: Operating cash use was $27.4 million, mainly from working capital tied to 22.6 percent revenue growth in receivables, plus inventory for production ramps and development. Source
  • Free cash flow after capex and sale proceeds: Free cash flow use was $43.1 million after $19.9 million of capital expenditures and $4.2 million of proceeds from sales of company-owned Valkyries. Source
  • Stock issuance funded acquisitions and cash: Common stock issuance netted $1,348.6 million, and $347.4 million was paid for acquisitions. Cash and equivalents rose to $1,464.3 million at quarter end. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Internally funded investments continue: The company describes its model as including internally funded investments in property, plant, equipment and facilities, alongside product development for the Department. Source
  • Prometheus and radar programs in plan: Forecast 2026 investments include funding for the Prometheus joint venture, the Anaconda radar program and the Helios hypersonic program. Source

Government funding and demand

  • Reconciliation funding to be spent in 2026: The Department told the company it intends to spend last year's $156 billion Reconciliation Bill defense funding in fiscal 2026, including Kratos programs. Source
  • Department framework agreements with industry: The Department is executing multi-year production framework agreements with industry, including with Kratos partners, which management said is good for Kratos. Source
  • Department demand signals described as real: Management said the Department's demand signals are real and that Kratos is continuing to step up to ensure success. Source

Coming up, as management said on 6 May 2026

  • Full-year 2027 guidance at third quarter: Full-year 2027 financial guidance, including Orbit and Nomad, is to be provided with the third-quarter 2026 report later this year. Source
  • Second-half revenue to be significantly higher: Management expects second-half fiscal 2026 revenue to be significantly higher than the first half. Source
  • Second-half cash flow and EBITDA above first half: Management expects second-half adjusted EBITDA and operating cash flow to be greater than the first half. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Consolidated bookings, first quarter Source$605.2 million
Consolidated book-to-bill, first quarter Source1.6 to 1
Bid and proposal pipeline Source$14.3 billion
KUS backlog Source$375.4 million
KGS backlog Source$1.635 billion
Valkyrie second production lot Source12 aircraft
Valkyrie production rate target Sourceapproximately 40 a year by end of 2027

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Guidance assumes hiring, retention and supply chain conditions; management flagged manufacturing and production disruption as potential risks. Source
  • Financial: Management said bid, proposal and staffing investments are currently reducing profit margins and free cash flow generation. Source
  • Demand: Customer contract funding is expected to rise after the late 2025 and early 2026 government shutdown and extended continuing resolution, so timing depends on that funding. Source
  • Operational: Inventory rose with production ramps and KUS development initiatives, adding to working capital use. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: The prior release expected the first quarter to be the lowest of the year; the current release does not state whether this was met.
  • Not stated: The prior release expected delayed awards and funding to arrive from the second quarter of 2026; the current release does not restate status.
  • Not stated: Management continues to expect the 2026 margin step-up stated in the prior release. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.