GE Aerospace awarded U.S. Air Force contract

General Electric — GE Aerospace has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to complete the preliminary design review (PDR) for its new GE426 engine. This engine is a next-generation propulsion system designed for the medium thrust class Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) mission, focusing on uncrewed, autonomous combat aircraft. The award follows General Electric — GE Aerospace's successful concept design review of the GE426 in August 2025. Under this contract, General Electric — GE Aerospace will further refine the GE426 prototype engine's capabilities, producibility, and cost, ensuring alignment with the U.S. Air Force's requirements. Steve Russell of General Electric — GE Aerospace highlighted the company's commitment to delivering performance, affordability, and readiness. General Electric — GE Aerospace continues to invest in small, affordable engines for autonomous combat platforms, including the GEK800 and GEK1500 engines developed in partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. The U.S. Air Force's ACP initiative aims to develop advanced autonomous platforms that operate collaboratively with crewed aircraft.