Kratos Defense (WF5A) Q2 2026 Earnings Report

The call highlighted multiple strong operational and commercial developments: revenue and adjusted EBITDA beats, high organic growth (19.1% YoY), a robust $15B pipeline and nearly $2B of bookings over the last 12 months, rapid scaling of hypersonics (tracking $400M in 2026 and targeting $700M in 2027), major engine production plans (components ordered for 3,000 engines in 2027 and 5,000 in 2028) and expanding manufacturing capacity. These positives are tempered by near-term cash outflows driven by working capital and investment for scale-up, a $5M–$7M FY2026 EBITDA headwind from Israeli shekel strength, and reduced visibility on classified programs and supply-chain execution risk. Overall, the company is in an investment-and-scale phase with strong demand and program wins but with measurable short-term cash and FX headwinds.

Management guided Q3 revenue of $460–$480 million (organic growth ~19%–25% YoY), Q4 organic growth of ~19%–31%, and raised full‑year 2026 organic revenue growth to 19%–23% (from prior ~15%–20%), while targeting roughly a 100‑basis‑point improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin versus 2025 and expecting margins to expand in H2’26 into ’27. For context, Q2 results were $458.8 million of revenue, 19.1% consolidated organic growth, adjusted EBITDA of $38.2 million, cash flow used in operations of $11.0 million and free cash flow used of $18.9 million (capex $17.2 million; sale proceeds $9.3 million); DSOs improved to 114 days from 130. Guidance reflects a ~$5–$7 million full‑year EBITDA headwind from a stronger Israeli shekel (Q2 impact ~$2.5M; six‑month impact ~$2.8M), a revised cash‑flow profile to fund working‑capital for production (components ordered for 3,000 Spartan turbojets for 2027 and plans for 5,000 more for 2028 at an ASP of ~$50k), total 2026 investments of ~$250–$270 million, and hypersonics ramping (2025 revenue ~$200M, tracking ~$400M in 2026 and ≥$700M in 2027 with Q3 hypersonic lift of ~$20–$25M and up to ~$30M in Q4); additional metrics: last‑12‑month bookings $1.99 billion, book‑to‑bill 1.3:1, $15 billion bid pipeline, contract mix 67% fixed‑price/29% cost‑plus/4% T&M, and revenue mix ~69% U.S. federal/20% foreign/11% commercial.