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On Point: Q&A With Robert "Otis" Winkler

Robert “Otis” Winkler is vice president of corporate development and national security programs for Kratos Defense, where he develops strategies for aligning development efforts with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), congressional and executive branch priorities, as well as communicating the value of Kratos’ technology, solutions and breakthroughs to national defense and governmental leaders.

vice president of corporate development and national security programs for Kratos Defense speaks on upcoming technology developments. Credit: sorapop – stock.adobe.com generated by AI

What technologies will see the most growth in the coming years?
An awful lot of game-changing technology under development today will see increased growth as it matures and fields. Hardware-wise, examples include unmanned systems and hypersonics. Unmanned systems can augment current weapons systems to provide additional mass and disaggregate sensors and weapons.

Hypersonics offer unparalleled speed, maneuverability and effectiveness, making them a critical priority for addressing evolving threats. For software, technology that connects disparate legacy and new systems while not requiring adoption of new standards will be instrumental to maintaining our battlefield information advantage.

Is there something to say for partnering with a “frenemy?”
Competition fosters innovation and ensures the government receives the most effective, affordable solutions. It drives companies to push boundaries, reduce costs and deliver high-performance technologies. The contracting of the defense industrial base (DIB) over the last 20 years has certainly given the government less choice and arguably less innovation. Happily, the pendulum is swinging with the increasing number of companies, public and private, competing in the defense space.

Collaboration across the DIB is also important. As with many things, a team tends to be more successful than individuals. By teaming with other companies, you put together the all-star group that provides more capability and performance for the customer and, ultimately, the warfighter.

This partnering, particularly in complex, multidisciplinary projects like hypersonic testing or space systems, allows companies to leverage complementary strengths, accelerate development timelines and address pressing national security needs effectively. This hybrid approach of competition and collaboration can maximize innovation and benefit all stakeholders.

Where do you see further investment in space domain awareness for national security?
It is clear that the new administration is focused on space. The recent announcement of the secretary and undersecretary of the Air Force demonstrates that focus. Both are steeped in space expertise.

Additionally, the growth of the space economy has exploded, reflecting space industry growth. That includes exponential growth in the number of satellites on orbit and the recognition of increased competition and potential conflict in space. Both congestion and conflict require understanding what is on orbit, where it is and what it is doing—that is space domain awareness (SDA).

SDA requirements have already exceeded current capabilities and will continue to grow as the number of satellites increases. The U.S. has requirements to provide space traffic management (think air traffic control) and battlespace management (tracking for military and intelligence purposes).

We must increase capability and capacity in advanced tracking, monitoring and data analytics technologies to ensure the required situational awareness and threat detection on orbit. Successfully meeting the need requires a hybrid approach, leveraging both government programs and commercial capability. The quickest and most cost-effective way to address the gaps is to leverage commercial companies with existing SDA capability and incorporate that data into government systems. So far, government has been slow to leverage commercial augmentation for SDA.

Kratos recently received the largest contract award in its history. What does this mean for innovation?
Kratos’ record-breaking MACH-TB 2.0 contract underscores the growing demand for affordable, high-performance solutions that address critical gaps in national defense. It highlights the importance of rapidly scaling hypersonic flight testing to outpace global threats. By delivering innovative, cost-effective technologies, Kratos is not only enhancing U.S. capabilities but also setting a new standard for efficiency and effectiveness in the defense industry. This milestone reflects a broader shift toward agile, value-driven solutions in the evolving landscape of national security.

This column has been edited for clarity and concision.