- Kratos Defense and Security has confirmed that it successfully completed the first flight of its Thanatos stealth UCAV.
- The company’s next tests will focus on the Thanatos’ integrated systems and their ability to meet mission requirements as stipulated by the Department of Defense.
- While not being confirmed, it is strongly suggested that the Thanatos is being built to serve with the U.S. Air Force.
- Kratos is also developing other combat drones for the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly the XQ-58 Valkyrie stealth UCAV, which could serve with the Air Force and Marine Corps in the next few years.
(Natural News)—Kratos Defense and Security has confirmed the successful first flight of its stealthy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the Thanatos.
The exact date of the flight was not disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the project. The flight was conducted to validate the aircraft’s basic aerodynamic design, marking a significant milestone in the development of the highly classified stealth drone program.
Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, stated that the drone’s flight abilities have been effectively proven. The company is now shifting its focus to testing Thanatos’ integrated systems to ensure it meets mission requirements.
“We’re not trying to figure out ‘Does the airplane fly?’ We’re now trying to figure out ‘Does the integrated system tick the mission box?'” Fendley said. (Related: Mysterious drones swarmed a U.S. military airbase for 17 days; officials say they don’t know who operated them.)
The Thanatos UCAV was first unveiled in November 2023 through a 3D artist’s rendering included in Kratos’ financial report. The design features a single-engine, tailless configuration with a diamond-shaped wing, blended air inlets and a recessed engine exhaust, all of which contribute to its low-observability characteristics. The aircraft’s design also lacks traditional vertical and horizontal stabilizers, reflecting Kratos’ emphasis on stealth technology.
Kratos likely to sell Thanatos to the Air Force
While the identity of the customer for the Thanatos remains undisclosed, the aircraft’s design includes both the markings for Kratos and the United States Air Force, strongly suggesting that the drone’s first operator will be the Air Force.
The company has expressed strong interest in the upcoming Increment 2 of the Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which aims to integrate unmanned assets with Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) platforms.
The CCA program, also referred to as the “Loyal Wingman” concept, envisions unmanned aircraft operating alongside crewed fighters to enhance mission effectiveness. Fendley highlighted the potential of CCAs to augment fifth-generation fighter aircraft and offboard systems from fourth-generation aircraft, particularly in electronic warfare to improve survivability.
Kratos has prior experience developing UCAVs under the CCA program, specifically with its experimental XQ-58 Valkyrie stealth UCAV, which is currently in testing with the Air Force and the Marine Corps.
The Valkyrie, which is runway-independent and capable of launching via rockets or a trolley, has demonstrated its operational relevance during exercises like Emerald Flag in October 2024. During this mission, the Valkyrie successfully passed targeting data to Marine Corps F-35Bs, marking a significant step in closing the kill chain.
Fendley noted that the Department of Defense has increasingly prioritized runway independence, a feature that Kratos has incorporated into its UCAV designs. While it is unclear whether the Thanatos will share this capability, the company is exploring conventional takeoff and landing systems with retractable gear.
In terms of manufacturing, Kratos has designed its UCAVs with scalability in mind. A study on the feasibility of a 1,000-unit production run for the Valkyrie revealed that propulsion systems would be the primary constraint. Kratos is collaborating with GE Aerospace to develop scalable engines for future systems, including CCAs.
Watch this Dec. 17 episode of “Brighteon Broadcast News” as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, discusses the possible use of drones with radar invisibility technology in the United States.
This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
- Mach 7 drone illustrates China’s latest leap in hypersonic technology.
- Ukraine claims to be developing “unstoppable” AI-controlled drones that can attack targets on the battlefield.
- Iran has developed a new, high-tech combat drone for Russia to use in Ukraine.
- Fully autonomous KILLER DRONES now closer to reality as rapid development of AI continues.
- Advanced swarming drones operated by U.K. defense ministry ready for deployment within months.
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Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
