Kratos to build turbojet engine manufacturing facility in Oklahoma
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has announced plans to build a new advanced manufacturing facility in Bristow, Oklahoma. The company, which produces the GEK family of turbojet engines, is investing in a facility expected to create 60 new jobs initially, with potential for more as production expands.
The new manufacturing site will be a 50,000-square-foot facility situated on 20 acres, with plans to expand to 100,000 square feet. It will house up to five GEK engine production lines, with an initial production capacity of 500 engines annually, supporting thrust classes from 600 to 6,000 pounds. The facility is expected to open by mid-2026, with full operations ramping by the fourth quarter of that year.
The plant will feature three small engine test cells for engines producing between 200 and 2,000 pounds of thrust, expected to be operational in 2027. This aspect of the project is supported by approved grant funding from the State of Oklahoma.
What people are saying
In a recent quote, Stacey Rock, President of Kratos Turbine Technologies, said, “This facility underscores Kratos’ strategy of delivering affordable, high-performance, made-in-America propulsion systems at scale. Bristow will be a critical site for delivering mass to the mission and meeting the growing propulsion needs of our defense customers.”
Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma, added, “This is a big win for American workers, for our military, and for every Oklahoman who believes in freedom, innovation, and strength. Kratos could’ve gone anywhere in the world, but they choose to continue investing in Oklahoma because it is the best place to build, grow, and do business. Oklahoma is proud to be a hub for national defense that is leading the way in rebuilding America’s industrial base and powering the technologies that keep our country safe.”
Manufacturers investing in Oklahoma
Blue Whale Materials to receive $55M to expand lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Oklahoma
BWM will invest $110 million into the project, allowing the plant to process up to 50,000 tons of battery feedstock annually.
NorSun invests $620 million to build solar wafer manufacturing plant in Oklahoma
Construction is expected to begin in 2024, with production starting in 2026.
GF Central Plastics begins construction on $30 million manufacturing plant in Oklahoma
When operational, the new facility will house GF Central Plastics’ gas meter fabrication department.
Investing in American manufacturing in 2025
This map shows where manufacturers are choosing to invest their resources, whether they are building new production facilities or expanding existing plants.
About the Author
Alexis GajewskiAlexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski is a manufacturing writer and editor with nearly 20 years of experience covering the people, practices, and technologies that keep industrial facilities running. For more than a decade, she served as Senior Content Strategist for Plant Services, creating content for plant managers, engineers, and maintenance professionals on a variety of industrial topics.
During her tenure, Alexis worked to develop the brand’s digital strategy and helped launch and produce Great Question: A Manufacturing Podcast. She also created The Lighter Side of Manufacturing, a weekly blog that explored the inventive and sometimes humorous side of the industry.
Alexis co-founded Influential Women in Manufacturing, a recognition program that honored 49 women in its first two years, earned an industry award for Best Product Launch, and received a proclamation from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and a commendation from U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth.
She also led newsroom operations and development at a large media company where she set editorial standards, developed training curriculum, and helped support AI adoption for more than 150 editors across 80+ brands spanning manufacturing, industrial processing, automation, and more.
Additionally, Alexis works as a freelance writer and editor, and her areas of interest include continuous improvement, the skilled workforce, and the role of emerging technology on the plant floor.
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