Kratos Reports Second Quarter 2022 Financial Results

SAN DIEGO, Aug. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, today reported its second quarter 2022 financial results. For the second quarter of 2022, Kratos reported Revenues of $224.2 million, Operating Loss of $1.9 million, Net Loss of $4.7 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $17.7 million and a book to bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0.   Included in Net Loss is a $5.5 million litigation settlement related charge resulting from the resolution of a dispute with an international customer in our Unmanned Systems segment, which contractual arrangement was entered into in March 2011, prior to Kratos’ acquisition of CEi (Composite Engineering Inc.).

Second quarter 2022 Operating Loss includes non-cash stock compensation expense of $6.3 million, and Company-funded Research and Development expense of $9.2 million, reflecting significant ongoing development efforts being made, including in our Space and   Satellite business to develop our virtual, software-based OpenSpace ground station solution.

Kratos reported a second quarter 2022 GAAP loss per share of $0.04, which includes the $5.5 million litigation settlement related charge noted above, compared to Net Income of $1.1 million and GAAP EPS income of $0.01 for the second quarter of 2021. Adjusted EPS was $0.07 for the second quarter of 2022, compared to $0.06 for the second quarter of 2021. Kratos has approximately $235 million of net operating loss carryforwards, which are expected to substantially shield the Company from paying future cash income taxes.   

Second quarter 2022 Revenues of $224.2 million, which increased $19.1 million, or 9.3 percent, from second quarter 2021 Revenues of $205.1 million, were adversely impacted by continuing and increased supply chain disruptions and increased material costs, COVID-related employee absenteeism and increased challenges and costs associated with hiring, obtaining and retaining qualified employees, which resulted in approximately $14.5 million of second quarter 2022 revenues being deferred into future periods, with approximately $2.9 million of associated operating income, including increased inflationary costs.    Second quarter 2022 revenues include an aggregate contribution of $21.5 million from the recent acquisitions of Cosmic Advanced Engineered Solutions, Inc. (Cosmic AES), CTT, Inc., (CTT), and the Engineering Division of Southern Research (SRE), offset by reductions in our Training Solutions business of $8.6 million as compared to the second quarter 2021 revenues, including the previously reported loss of an international training services contract which accounted for approximately $4.5 million of the reduction as well as the completion of certain large training system programs. On a proforma basis, excluding the impact of the Training Solutions business, revenues grew organically 3.2% in the second quarter of 2022 as compared to the second quarter of 2021.

Second quarter 2022 Cash Flow Used in Operations was $21.6 million, with the use including increases in receivables of $27.1 million primarily related to future milestone and other contractual payments and an increase of inventory balances of $10.5 million, primarily in our Unmanned Systems, Microwave Products and C5ISR businesses in anticipation of expected significant ramps in production in the second half of the year and to increase stock inventory levels and advance buys in larger lot sizes to gain pricing benefits where possible, to mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions and price increases. Free Cash Flow Used in Operations was $32.7 million, after funding $11.1 million of capital expenditures, including in our high growth Unmanned Systems, Space, Satellite and Cyber and Turbine Technologies business areas.

For the second quarter of 2022, Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Segment (KUS) generated Revenues of $56.4 million, as compared to $60.3 million in the second quarter of 2021. KUS Operating Loss was $5.0 million in the second quarter of 2022, which included the $5.5 million litigation settlement related charge discussed above. Excluding the impact of the litigation settlement related charge, Operating Income was $0.5 million, compared to $4.1 million in the second quarter of 2021, reflecting a less favorable mix of revenues, including an increase in development programs which typically generate lower margins, an increase in SG&A costs of approximately $0.9 million resulting primarily from increased headcount, an increase of R&D expenses of approximately $1.3 million and increases in supply chain and employee related costs.

Excluding the litigation settlement charge, KUS Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2022 was $2.9 million, compared to second quarter 2021 Adjusted EBITDA of $6.9 million, reflecting increases in certain development programs which typically generate lower margins and increases in SG&A, R&D, supply chain related and employee costs.
        
KUS’s book-to-bill ratio for the second quarter of 2022 was 0.5 to 1.0 and 1.1 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended June 26, 2022, with bookings of $242.6 million for the twelve months ended June 26, 2022.   Total backlog for KUS at the end of the second quarter of 2022 was $203.3 million compared to $230.5 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022.

For the second quarter of 2022, Kratos’ Government Solutions Segment (KGS) reported Revenues of $167.8 million, compared to Revenues of $144.8 million in the second quarter of 2021. The increased revenues include the aggregate contribution of approximately $21.5 million from the recently acquired Cosmic AES, CTT and SRE, offset by a reduction of $8.6 million in our Training Solutions business, including the loss of an international training contract, continued and increased supply chain, COVID and employee sourcing and retention disruptions, which resulted in second quarter 2022 KGS revenues of approximately $13.9 million being deferred into future periods.    On a proforma basis, excluding the Training Solutions business, KGS revenues grew organically 7.7 percent or $10.2 million, from $132.3 million in the second quarter of 2021 to $142.5 million in the second quarter of 2022.

KGS reported operating income of $9.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, compared to $5.9 million in the second quarter of 2021, primarily reflecting a more favorable revenue mix, offset partially by increased costs related to the supply chain and employee base.  

Kratos’ Space, Satellite and Cyber business generated Revenues of $88.5 million in the second quarter of 2022, compared to $67.5 million in the second quarter of 2021. Excluding revenues generated of $15.0 million from the recent Cosmic AES acquisition, revenues for our Space, Satellite and Cyber business grew organically 8.9 percent in the second quarter of 2022.

Second quarter 2022 KGS Adjusted EBITDA was $14.8 million, compared to second quarter 2021 KGS Adjusted EBITDA of $10.7 million, reflecting a more favorable mix of revenues, including in our Space, Satellite and Cyber and Turbine Technologies businesses.

For the second quarter of 2022, KGS reported a book-to-bill ratio of 1.4 to 1.0, with a book to bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the twelve months ended June 26, 2022, and bookings of $713.9 million for the twelve months ended June 26, 2022.   Included in KGS is Kratos’ Space, Satellite and Cyber business, which reported a book to bill ratio of 1.7 to 1.0 for the second quarter of 2022, and a book to bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0 for the twelve months ended June 26, 2022. Bookings for the Space, Satellite and Cyber business for the last twelve months ended June 26, 2022, were $371.1 million. KGS’s total backlog at the end of the second quarter of 2022 was $846.9 million, as compared to $751.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2022.

For the second quarter of 2022, Kratos reported consolidated bookings of $261.0 million and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.2 to 1.0, with consolidated bookings of $956.5 million and a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1 to 1.0 for the last twelve months ended June 26, 2022. Backlog on June 26, 2022 was $1.05 billion, as compared to $982.1 million at March 27, 2022, and Kratos’ bid and proposal pipeline was $9.9 billion at June 26, 2022, as compared to $9.4 billion at March 27, 2022.   Backlog at June 26, 2022 was comprised of funded backlog of $713.6 million and unfunded backlog of $336.6 million.

Eric DeMarco, Kratos’ President and CEO, said, “Kratos’ second quarter execution was solid in a challenging environment, including revenues of $224 million, Adjusted EBITDA of $17.7 million, a 1.2 to 1.0 book to bill ratio and a current opportunity pipeline of over $9 billion. We have now received each of the three important, large new satellite related program awards we discussed in our Q1 2022 report, including contracts with Blue Halo and Intelsat, which we believe position Kratos for future organic growth and increased margins beginning in the second half of this year. We believe these awards are representative of the increasing customer acceptance of Kratos’ first to market, internally funded and developed, software-based OpenSpace virtualized family of products and we are now in pursuit of several additional, large, new satellite program opportunities.”

Mr. DeMarco, continued, “Since our last report to you, the Air Force announced to Congress that the Skyborg Vanguard program, which includes Kratos’ Valkyrie, is now planned to be a Program of Record in 2023 and transition to acquisition. Additionally, Kratos’ tactical drone business continues to progress, including recent successful flights at the Burns Flat, Oklahoma range and other locations, and we are expecting to receive certain new tactical drone related contract awards in the second half of this year, including as related to Valkyrie.   Also importantly, the Air Force recently announced that the Golden Horde Vanguard Program, which Kratos is also supporting, is now also slated to become a Program of Record in 2023, which includes networked, collaborative and autonomous munitions and drones.”     

Mr. DeMarco concluded, “Based on important recent events and communications, we continue to believe that the global security environment and requirement for affordable, reusable, disposable and attritable high performance jet drones has never been stronger and is increasing. We view Kratos’ family of Made in America, demonstrated low-cost, runway independent, Collaborative Combat Aircraft, that have been flying with manned fighter aircraft since 2015, and are not concepts, power points or video presentations that are years away from reality, along with active Kratos serial production lines that can provide Affordable Mass now, are important differentiators for our Country, our customers and our Company.”

Financial Guidance
Our third quarter and Fiscal Year 2022 financial guidance we are providing today includes our current forecasted business mix, and our assumptions related to the expected continuing impact of: employee absenteeism, employee sourcing, hiring and retention; manufacturing, production and supply chain disruptions; parts shortages and related significant cost and price increases, including for employees, materials and components; travel restrictions and other COVID-19 related items that have and continue to impact the industry and Kratos.   The growth expected in the fourth quarter of 2022 is largely driven by the forecasted execution and delivery schedules of 5 new programs, 4 of which have already been awarded: the three satellite program awards, GBSD and an expected Valkyrie award from a new customer.        

The revised full Fiscal Year 2022 financial guidance reflects the expected revenue growth, including the impact of the recent SRE acquisition, as well as expected organic revenue growth driven by our recent bookings and backlog. Since our contract mix is predominantly firm fixed price, we are contractually obligated to absorb the impact of significant inflationary factors until we are able to include our revised costs in new contracts or the exercise of contractual options, which is reflected in our revised Fiscal Year 2022 Adjusted EBITDA guidance.

Throughout the second quarter of 2022, we continued to experience the effects of COVID–19, including on our employees, consultants, vendors, suppliers, customers, etc. We have assumed that these COVID–19 related impacts to our business, which significantly impacted our fiscal first and second quarters of 2022 and continue to impact our third quarter, will continue at least through the end of calendar 2022. Our previous assumption was that COVID-19 related impacts would begin to subside beginning in the third fiscal quarter and continue to improve throughout the second half of our fiscal year 2022.

We currently estimate that COVID, supply chain, work force and inflation related issues, including the availability and increased costs of certain raw materials and related components and materials, a lack of capacity at mills supporting Kratos’ hardware programs, the availability and significant increased costs to obtain and the ability to retain an experienced skilled workforce will continue to impact our financial performance throughout 2022. We expect these issues to impact our third quarter 2022 Revenues by approximately $10 to $14 million and Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $3 to $5 million, respectively. We also currently estimate these issues to impact our full fiscal year 2022 Revenues by approximately $22 to $26 million and Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $10 to $13 million, respectively. We will provide future updates as appropriate.  

The forecasted financial trajectory in the second half of 2022 reflects the expected mix of revenues, including the expected timing of software product deliveries in our Space, Satellite and Cyber business, based upon the forecasted order flow and roll out of our new OpenSpace solution, and contract awards we have recently received or that we have been informed we will receive, with deliveries expected to occur predominantly in the fourth quarter of 2022 based upon current program execution plans.  

Forecasted third quarter 2022 and fiscal year 2022 Operating Income and Adjusted EBITDA also reflect the expected mix of development-type contracts and expected investments, including in our Space, Satellite and Cyber, Unmanned Systems, C5ISR, Turbine Technologies and Rocket System businesses, where we have received, have been informed that we will receive, or are pursuing or expect to receive several new contract awards.   Kratos’ fiscal year 2022 forecasted Revenues also include the final projected impact of the 2021 loss of a large international training contract, which contributed approximately $13.0 million to the Company’s fiscal year 2021 first and second quarter Revenues and include the estimated contribution from the recently closed CTT, Cosmic AES and SRE acquisitions.  

Management will discuss the Company’s second quarter 2022 financial results, as well as its third quarter and full year 2022 guidance on a conference call beginning at 2:00 p.m. Pacific (5:00 p.m. Eastern) today. The call will be available at www.kratosdefense.com. Participants may register for the call at https://register.vevent.com/register/BId7480930af214120a135751b6240fd74. While not required, it is recommended you join 10 minutes prior to the event start. Instructions are provided to ensure the necessary audio applications are downloaded and installed. Users can obtain these programs at no charge. For those who cannot access the live broadcast, a replay will be available on Kratos’ website.

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms, and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises.  Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technologies for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes.  At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training and combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.kratosdefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward–Looking Statements
This news release contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, express or implied statements concerning the Company’s expectations regarding its future financial performance, including the Company’s expectations for its third quarter and full year 2022 revenues, R&D, operating income, depreciation, amortization, stock based compensation expense, and Adjusted EBITDA, and full year 2022 operating cash flow, capital expenditures and other investments, and free cash flow use, the Company’s future growth trajectory and ability to achieve improved revenue mix and profit in certain of its business segments and the expected timing of such improved revenue mix and profit, the Company’s expectation of ramp on projects and that investments in its business will result in an increase in the Company’s market share and total addressable market and position the Company for significant future organic growth, profitability, cash flow and an increase in shareholder value, the Company’s bid and proposal pipeline, demand for its products and services, including the Company’s alignment with today’s National Security requirements, ability to successfully compete in the tactical unmanned aerial system area and expected new customer awards, including the magnitude and timing of funding and the future opportunity associated with such awards, and expected contract awards related to the Company’s Skyborg Vanguard program, Golden Horde Vanguard program and other new tactical unmanned programs, performance of key contracts and programs, including the timing of production and demonstration related to certain of the Company’s contracts and product offerings, the impact of the Company’s restructuring efforts and cost reduction measures, including its ability to improve profitability and cash flow in certain business units as a result of these actions and to achieve financial leverage on fixed administrative costs, benefits to be realized from the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards, the availability and timing of government funding for the Company’s offerings, including the strength of the future funding environment, the short-term delays that may occur as a result of Continuing Resolutions or delays in DoD budget approvals, timing of LRIP and full rate production related to the Company’s unmanned aerial target system offerings, as well as the level of recurring revenues expected to be generated by these programs once they achieve full rate production, market and industry developments, and the current estimated impact of COVID-19 and employee absenteeism, supply chain disruptions, availability of an experienced skilled workforce, inflation and increased costs, and delays on our financial projections, industry, business and operations, including projected growth. Such statements are only predictions, and the Company’s actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Factors that may cause the Company’s results to differ include, but are not limited to: risks to our business and financial results related to the reductions and other spending constraints imposed on the U.S. Government and our other customers, including as a result of sequestration and extended continuing resolutions, the Federal budget deficit and Federal government shut-downs; risks of adverse regulatory action or litigation; risks associated with debt leverage and cost savings and cash flow improvements expected as a result of the refinancing of our Senior Notes; risks that our cost-cutting initiatives will not provide the anticipated benefits; risks that changes, cutbacks or delays in spending by the U.S. DoD may occur, which could cause delays or cancellations of key government contracts; risks of delays to or the cancellation of our projects as a result of protest actions submitted by our competitors; risks that changes may occur in Federal government (or other applicable) procurement laws, regulations, policies and budgets; risks of the availability of government funding for the Company’s products and services due to performance, cost growth, or other factors, changes in government and customer priorities and requirements (including cost-cutting initiatives, the potential deferral of awards, terminations or reduction of expenditures to respond to the priorities of Congress and the Administration, or budgetary cuts resulting from Congressional committee recommendations or automatic sequestration under the Budget Control Act of 2011, as amended); risks that the UAS and UGS markets do not experience significant growth; risks that products we have developed or will develop will become programs of record; risks that we cannot expand our customer base or that our products do not achieve broad acceptance which could impact our ability to achieve our anticipated level of growth; risks of increases in the Federal government initiatives related to in-sourcing; risks related to security breaches, including cyber security attacks and threats or other significant disruptions of our information systems, facilities and infrastructures; risks related to our compliance with applicable contracting and procurement laws, regulations and standards; risks related to the new DoD Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC); risks related to contract performance; risks related to failure of our products or services; risks associated with our subcontractors’ or suppliers’ failure to perform their contractual obligations, including the appearance of counterfeit or corrupt parts in our products; changes in the competitive environment (including as a result of bid protests); failure to successfully integrate acquired operations and competition in the marketplace, which could reduce revenues and profit margins; risks that potential future goodwill impairments will adversely affect our operating results; risks that anticipated tax benefits will not be realized in accordance with our expectations; risks that a change in ownership of our stock could cause further limitation to the future utilization of our net operating losses; risks that we may be required to record valuation allowances on our net operating losses which could adversely impact our profitability and financial condition; risks that the current economic environment will adversely impact our business; currently unforeseen risks associated with COVID-19 and risks related to natural disasters or severe weather. These and other risk factors are more fully discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 26, 2021, and in our other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Performance Metrics
This news release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including Adjusted earnings per share (computed using income from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding income (loss) from discontinued operations, excluding income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest, excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, amortization of capitalized contract and development costs, stock-based compensation expense, acquisition and restructuring related items and other, which includes, but is not limited to, legal related items and foreign transaction gains and losses, less the estimated impact to income taxes) and including Adjusted EBITDA (whi