Kratos is developing the Apollo and Athena drones, modular aircraft designed to enhance the capabilities of third- and fourth-generation European fighter jets.

A response to the specific needs of European air forces

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is currently developing two tactical drones called Apollo and Athena to meet the operational requirements of European armed forces. Unlike programs designed exclusively for fifth-generation aircraft such as the F-35, these aircraft are designed to interact with existing platforms, in particular third- and fourth-generation fighter aircraft widely used on the continent, such as the F-16, Mirage 2000 and Eurofighter Typhoon. The strategic choice to target this segment is explained by the heterogeneous structure of European fleets, which are made up of older aircraft that are still widely deployed. Kratos wants to offer a solution that is accessible, quick to deploy, and adaptable to national doctrines. The modular approach of the drones makes it possible to respond to different mission profiles (surveillance, support, jamming, armed reconnaissance) without relying on a heavy or centralized architecture. This technical positioning aims to fill an identified need: to provide a force multiplier for existing aircraft without requiring a complete overhaul of the fleet or the acquisition of new stealth fighters.

Technical characteristics and expected performance

The Apollo and Athena drones are smaller than the XQ-58 Valkyrie, also designed by Kratos. This choice of size reduces logistical requirements while facilitating operations from rudimentary runways or forward bases. Both models are designed to operate at high subsonic speeds, with a flight envelope optimized for penetration support or reconnaissance missions. Their airframe is said to be stealthy, notably through a low-radar signature design, discreet air intakes, and specific exhaust treatment to limit infrared emissions. The drones are also modular, an essential feature that allows mission modules to be interchanged according to tactical objectives: ISR sensors, jammers, communication pods, or military payloads. Kratos has announced that it wants to keep the unit price below $5 million, or around €4.6 million, positioning them as an economical alternative to heavier or more specialized drones such as the MQ-9 Reaper. This cost control aims to broaden the spectrum of potential buyers, particularly among European countries with limited military budgets.

Targeted integration with existing fighter jets

The priority for Apollo and Athena is to be able to be integrated into operations carried out with fighter jets already in service. Kratos is particularly targeting the F-16 and Mirage 2000, which are numerous in Europe, but also the Typhoon and Gripen. The aim is not only to accompany them, but also to take on some of the risky or repetitive missions, while extending the capabilities of these fighter jets through onboard functions distributed among several drones. An Athena equipped with an electronic warfare module can jam enemy radars for an F-16 engaging its target. Similarly, an armed Apollo can carry out a strike from a distance, while the fighter remains outside the danger zone. These drones can also act as advanced scouts, detecting threats without human signature and transmitting data in real time. This concept of “distributed roles” increases tactical options while avoiding overloading each aircraft with a full range of costly and complex systems.

Adapting to European geographical constraints

Military missions in Europe have specific characteristics: the distances to be covered are shorter than in the Indo-Pacific region, but the airspace is more congested, compartmentalized, and targeted.
Kratos has incorporated these parameters into the design of Apollo and Athena. In a European context, endurance is less critical than payload and the ability to carry out precision strikes or reconnaissance in complex environments. This allows the drone’s structural space to be used not for fuel, but to install heavy equipment or weapons. This flexibility allows for configurations loaded with sensors for tactical intelligence missions, or explosive payloads for close air support. The European theater also requires a high degree of resilience in the event of jamming or rapid engagement. This is why drones can be configured regionally, according to each customer’s priorities: Scandinavian, Polish, and Greek forces do not have the same priorities as France or Germany, which requires an adaptable and segmented modular approach.

Concrete operational advantages

The combined use of Apollo or Athena drones with manned aircraft offers several measurable operational benefits. First, it is a direct means of reducing human risk during offensive or reconnaissance missions. The drone can be deployed in high-threat areas, freeing the manned fighter from this constraint. Second, the modular approach allows for optimized distribution of functions among multiple vectors. Rather than equipping each drone with a complete and expensive set of sensors and weapons, each aircraft can be specialized for a specific task. For example, in a swarm of six drones, three can carry ISR sensors and the other three can carry air-to-ground weapons. This allows for intelligent pooling, while reducing unit costs and logistical burdens. If a drone is lost, the mission can still be completed. Finally, these aircraft allow for greater saturation of the airspace in front of the enemy, making it more difficult to identify priority targets. This tactical jamming is a direct lever for the survival and effectiveness of deployed units.

Industrial and strategic prospects to watch

Kratos has confirmed the signing of development contracts for Apollo and Athena, without disclosing details or partners. The company, which was excluded from the first phase of the US CCA program, hopes to position itself for the second iteration, which could include foreign players. This strategic positioning would allow Apollo and Athena drones to find a role not only in Europe, but also in joint projects with the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. In Europe, several parallel programs are underway: the Franco-German-Spanish SCAF, the British Mosquito, and the Turkish Bayraktar. Kratos’ proposal could complement these existing programs by providing a solution that is quicker to implement and less expensive, particularly for second-tier countries or those without a large air defense industry. If Kratos succeeds in delivering a reliable, modular and inexpensive product, Apollo and Athena could become key players in future drone support doctrines. Their commercialization would also send a strong signal of a change in Western thinking about air superiority.

A possible role in the CCA program and the interest of the US forces

Although Kratos was not selected for the first phase (Increment 1) of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program led by the US Air Force, the company has clearly stated its ambition to participate in the second phase of development, known as Increment 2.
This phase is expected to place greater emphasis on less complex, more affordable solutions, with a possible opening for international cooperation. In line with this approach, Apollo and Athena, with their modular architecture, cost of less than $5 million, and compatibility with existing fleets, meet the desired criteria. In addition, the US Marine Corps is already testing XQ-58 Valkyrie drones, designed by Kratos, for reconnaissance and support missions. These experiments pave the way for wider adoption of more compact and specialized drones. The US Navy, for its part, is exploring concepts for so-called “disposable” drones intended for single-use missions. In this context, Apollo and Athena could play a role in expanding naval capabilities, particularly for swarm strikes or saturation missions from aircraft carriers.

Kratos’ Apollo and Athena drones represent a significant advance in unmanned aerial systems. Designed to meet the specific needs of European air forces, these modular aircraft offer a combination of high performance, operational flexibility, and controlled costs. Their future development and integration could transform air strategies in Europe by enhancing the capabilities of existing fighters while minimizing risks to pilots.

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