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GE's Defense & Propulsion Unit Gains Momentum: Can It Sustain?
ZACKS· 2026-03-17 15:55
Core Insights - GE Aerospace is experiencing strong performance in its Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment, driven by robust demand for propulsion and additive technologies, engines, critical aircraft systems, and aftermarket services in the defense sector [1] Group 1: Contracts and Partnerships - GE has partnered with Palantir Technologies Inc. to enhance fleet management and operational readiness of military aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, focusing on the J85 engine for the T-38 training aircraft [2] - In January, GE secured a $1.4 billion contract from Naval Air Systems Command to supply T408 engines for the U.S. Marine Corps' Sikorsky CH-53K King Stallion helicopter [2] - The company obtained a $5 billion contract from the U.S. Air Force for F110 engines, parts, and support services as part of a Foreign Military Sales program [3] Group 2: Financial Performance - Revenues from the Defense & Propulsion Technologies segment increased by 11% year over year, with orders growing by 19% in 2025 [4][8] - Adjusted revenues for the defense and propulsion technologies unit are expected to grow in the mid-to-high single-digit range for 2026 [4] Group 3: Industry Context - Rising U.S. and international defense budgets, along with heightened geopolitical tensions, are expected to positively impact the segment's performance in the coming quarters [4] - Northrop Grumman Corporation's Defense Systems segment saw a revenue increase of 7.2% year over year to $2.15 billion in Q4 2025, driven by higher volumes in various defense programs [5] - Textron Inc. also reported solid demand for its defense products, with revenues from its Bell segment reaching $1.3 billion, up 11% year over year [6] Group 4: Stock Performance and Valuation - GE Aerospace shares have surged by 51.4% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 28.5% [7] - The company is currently trading at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 39.55X, which is above the industry average of 32.27X [9] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for GE's earnings for 2026 and 2027 has been on the rise over the past 60 days [10]