U.S. defense contractor Kratos was awarded a $4.9 million task order to support the AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense. Specifically, Kratos will evaluate the suitability of combining a surplus Pedro rocket with the Oriole rocket, assess other alternative rocket systems, and support four rocket launches. (Source)

“We are extremely pleased to continue our support of NSWC PHD Detachment White Sands to provide a low cost solution to meet AEGIS BMD test and other technology development requirements,” said President of Kratos’s Defense Engineering Solutions Division David Carter said.

Last year, Kratos was awarded a task order worth $1.25 million to provide services for the AEGIS Ballistic Missile Defense for the Japanese Flight Test Mission.

Sanjay Kapoor, vice president of Patriot programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems said his company is “very pleased that the upgrades are happening on an accelerated timeline. This will provide Taiwan with an enhanced level of security sooner than expected.” (Source)

>> Contractor Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., received a task order worth $1.25 million to provide services for the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense for the Japanese Flight Test Mission. (Source)

>> Defense contractor Lockheed Martin’s Space Systems division has created a new missile defense systems unit, to be based in Huntsville, Alabama, and led by Retired Army Major General John W. Holly. (Source)

We blogged last month that Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Lockheed were going after a Ground-based Midcourse Defense system contract that could bring in $200 million a year. Among other things, Lockheed’s new missile defense unit will pursue that contract.