Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc S-3ASR, filed Feb 26, 2026
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (KTOS)
S-3ASR
2026-02-26
View Original
Added on
October 15, 2026
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 26, 2026
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
KRATOS DEFENSE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 13-3818604 | |||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of Incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) | |||||||
1 Chisholm Trail, Suite 300
Round Rock, TX 78681
(512) 238-9840
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Deanna H. Lund
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Director
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
10680 Treena Street, Suite 600
San Diego, California 92131
(858) 812-7300
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
With a copy to:
William R. Wyatt
Jason R. Schendel
Eugene Choi
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
1540 El Camino Real, Suite 120
Menlo Park, CA 94025
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. ☐
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. ☐
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☒
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act..
Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | ||||||||
Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | ||||||||
Emerging growth company | ☐ | ||||||||||
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐
PROSPECTUS
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Debt Securities
Warrants
Rights
Units
We may from time to time offer to sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus, either individually or in units, in one or more offerings. In addition, certain selling security holders to be identified in supplements to this prospectus may offer and sell these securities from time to time.
This prospectus provides a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide specific terms of the securities offered in a supplement to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, as well as any documents incorporated by reference herein or therein before you invest in any securities. This prospectus may not be used to consummate a sale of securities unless accompanied by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “KTOS.” The applicable prospectus supplement will contain information, where applicable, as to any other listing on The Nasdaq Global Select Market or any securities market or other exchange of the securities, if any, covered by the applicable prospectus supplement.
Investing in our securities involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5.
The securities may be offered directly by us or by any selling security holder from time to time, through agents designated by us or to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers. We will provide specific information about any selling security holders in one or more supplements to this prospectus. For additional information on the methods of sale, you should refer to the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. If any underwriters are involved in the sale of any securities with respect to which this prospectus is being delivered, the names of such underwriters and any applicable commissions or discounts will be set forth in a prospectus supplement or a related free writing prospectus. The price to the public of such securities and the net proceeds we expect to receive from such sale will also be set forth in a prospectus supplement or a related free writing prospectus.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is February 26, 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is a part of an automatic shelf registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), as a “well-known seasoned issuer” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), utilizing a “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration process, we may sell any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. In addition, selling security holders to be named in a prospectus supplement may sell certain of our securities from time to time. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we or any selling security holder offers to sell securities under this shelf registration statement, we or the selling security holder will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in any documents that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. To the extent that any statement that we make in a prospectus supplement is inconsistent with statements made in this prospectus, the statement made in this prospectus will be deemed modified or superseded by those made in the prospectus supplement. You should read this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with the information incorporated herein by reference as described under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference.”
You should rely only on the information that we have provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. You should assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, that any information in any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate only as of the date of such accompanying prospectus supplement,.and that any information included in another document incorporated by reference herein is accurate only as of the date of such document. We have not authorized any broker, dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representation other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you. You must not rely upon any information or representation not contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement or related free writing prospectus. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you.
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any related free writing prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, or any related free writing prospectus constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is accurate on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document or that any information we have incorporated by reference therein is correct on any date subsequent to the date set forth on the front of the document incorporated by reference, even though this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or any related free writing prospectus is delivered or the applicable securities are sold on a later date.
This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any related free writing prospectus may contain estimates and other information concerning our target markets that are based on industry publications, surveys and forecasts. This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to this information. Please read the section of this prospectus entitled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” The industry in which we operate and our business are subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” contained in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto reflected in subsequent filings with the SEC. These and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in such publications, surveys and forecasts.
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This prospectus contains summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described herein, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described below under the heading “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
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SUMMARY
This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference and does not contain all of the information that you need to consider in making your investment decision. You should carefully read this entire prospectus, including the risks of investing in our securities discussed under “Risk Factors” beginning on page 5 of this prospectus, the information incorporated herein by reference, including the information in such documents under the heading “Risk Factors” and our financial statements, and the exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. All references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Kratos,” the “Company” and similar designations refer to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or as the context otherwise requires.
Our Business
Kratos is a technology, hardware, products, system and software company addressing the defense, national security, and commercial markets. Kratos makes true internally funded research, development, capital and other investments, to rapidly develop, produce and field relevant solutions that address our customers’ mission critical needs and requirements. At Kratos, affordability is a technology, and we seek to utilize proven, leading-edge approaches and technology, not unproven bleeding edge approaches or technology, with Kratos’ approach designed to reduce cost, schedule and risk, enabling us to be first to market with cost effective solutions. We believe that Kratos is known as the innovative disruptive change agent in the industry, a company that is an expert in designing products and systems up front for successful rapid, large quantity, low-cost future manufacturing, which is a value-add competitive differentiator for our large traditional prime system integrator partners and also to our government and commercial customers. Kratos intends to pursue program and contract opportunities as the prime or lead contractor when we believe our probability of win is high and any investment required by Kratos is within our capital resource comfort level. We intend to partner and team with a large, traditional system integrator when our assessment of probability of win is greater or required investment is beyond Kratos’ comfort level. Kratos’ primary business areas include, virtualized ground systems for satellites and space vehicles including software for command & control (C2) and telemetry, tracking and control (TT&C), jet powered unmanned aerial drone systems, hypersonic vehicles and rocket systems, propulsion systems for drones, missiles, loitering munitions, supersonic systems, space craft and launch systems, command, control, communication, computing, combat, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (C5ISR) and microwave electronic products for missile, radar, air defense, missile defense, space, satellite, counter unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS), directed energy, communication and other systems, and virtual & augmented reality training systems for the warfighter.
We believe that there is a generational recapitalization of weapon systems and related defense industrial bases occurring globally, including with the United States and its allies, to address individual and potential collective peer and near peer threats, including Russia, China, North Korea and Iran. The Company currently has record levels of backlog and opportunity pipeline. The Company is currently making significant capital, property, plant, equipment and other internally funded investments to address its backlog, current opportunity pipeline, and expected and potential future program and contract awards, including from or with the Department of War, traditional legacy prime systems integrators and partners. These investments include unmanned jet powered aircraft such as Kratos Valkyrie ahead of potential contract award; a hypersonic system fabrication and integration facility including for Kratos Zeus solid rocket missiles (SRMs) and Erinyes hypersonic flight systems in Indiana; the procurement of long lead items for 60 Oriole and 60 Zeus SRM’s for ballistic missile defense related, hypersonic or other expected customer missions; relocation and expansion of our small turbojet engine production capacity in Michigan; establishment of a planned small turbofan jet engine production facility in Oklahoma; expansion of our existing microwave electronics manufacturing facility in Israel, establishment of an additional microwave electronics facility in Israel, including a space qualified facility; expansion of our machining, milling, casting, 3D printing and additive manufacturing capable facility in the United States to support our jet engine and other hardware product and system manufacturing requirements; establishment of a new facility related to the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program; expansion of our unmanned jet drone manufacturing capability; and expansion of existing and construction of additional classified facilities for certain programs and contracts. Investments related to the Company’s Prometheus venture with Rafael and the new turbofan production facility in Oklahoma related to our arrangement with GE Aerospace are expected to begin to ramp up during 2026.
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Our Corporate Information
We were initially incorporated in the state of New York in 1994, commenced operations in 1995 and were reincorporated in Delaware in 1998. On September 12, 2007, we changed our name from Wireless Facilities, Inc. to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. Our executive offices are located at 1 Chisholm Trail, Suite 300, Round Rock, TX 78681, and our telephone number is (512) 238-9840 . We maintain an Internet website at www.kratosdefense.com. We have included our website address in this prospectus solely as an inactive textual reference. We do not incorporate the information on, or accessible through, our website into this prospectus, and you should not consider any information on or accessible through our website as part of this prospectus. Our common stock trades on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the trading symbol “KTOS”.
Securities We May Offer
We may offer shares of our common stock and preferred stock, various series of debt securities and warrants or rights to purchase any of such securities, either individually or in units, from time to time under this prospectus, together with any applicable prospectus supplement and related free writing prospectus, at prices and on terms to be determined by market conditions at the time of offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we offer a type or series of securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will describe the specific amounts, prices and other important terms of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
•designation or classification;
•aggregate principal amount or aggregate offering price;
•maturity, if applicable;
•original issue discount, if any;
•rates and times of payment of interest or dividends, if any;
•redemption, conversion, exchange or sinking fund terms, if any;
•conversion prices, if any;
•ranking;
•restrictive covenants, if any;
•voting or other rights, if any; and
•important U.S. federal income tax considerations.
A prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus or in documents we have incorporated by reference. However, no prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus will offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
THIS PROSPECTUS MAY NOT BE USED TO CONSUMMATE A SALE OF SECURITIES UNLESS IT IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT.
The securities may be offered directly by us or by any selling security holder from time to time, through agents designated by us or to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers. We will provide specific information about any selling security holders in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We, and our underwriters or agents, reserve the right to accept or reject all or part of any proposed purchase of securities. If we do offer securities through underwriters or agents, we will include in the applicable prospectus supplement:
•the names of those agents, underwriters, brokers or dealers;
•applicable fees, discounts and commissions to be paid to them;
•details regarding options to purchase additional securities, if any; and
•the net proceeds to us.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described under the section captioned “Risk Factors” contained in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other filings we make with the SEC from time to time, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, together with the other information in this prospectus, the accompanying prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus, and in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus. The risks described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the other filings we make with the SEC incorporated by reference herein are not the only ones facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties may also impair our business operations. If any of the risks described in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus, our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and the other filings incorporated by reference herein occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth prospects could be harmed. In these circumstances, the market price of our common stock or other securities could decline, you may not be able to sell such securities at a favorable price and you may lose all or part of your investment.
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus and the documents incorporated herein by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These statements are based on our management’s current beliefs, expectations and assumptions about future events, conditions and results and on information currently available to us. Discussions containing these forward-looking statements may be found, among other places, in the Sections entitled “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” incorporated by reference from our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto, filed with the SEC.
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated herein regarding our strategy, future operations, financial position, future revenues, projected costs, plans, prospects and objectives are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” or “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements reflect our current beliefs, expectations and projections, are based on assumptions, and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results or achievements to differ materially from any future results or achievements expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. As a result, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results or achievements to differ materially from the results or achievements reflected in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: changes, cutbacks or delays in spending by the U.S. Department of War may occur which could cause delays or cancellations of key government contracts; delays to or the cancellation of our projects as a result of protest actions submitted by our competitors; changes in federal government (or other applicable) procurement laws, regulations, policies and budgets; 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; the potential of the current economic environment to adversely impact our business; currently unforeseen risks associated with any public health crisis; risks related to natural disasters or severe weather; changes in the scope or timing of our projects; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer contracts and agreements, or consolidation by or the loss of key customers; risks of adverse regulatory action or litigation; risks related to our international operations; risks associated with debt leverage; failure to successfully achieve our integration, cost reduction or divestiture strategies; risks related to security breaches, cybersecurity attacks or other significant disruptions of our information systems; and competition in the marketplace, which could reduce revenues and profit margins.
Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in our forward-looking statements due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, those set forth above or included or incorporated herein, those set forth under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as any amendments thereto filed with the SEC. Given these risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements publicly, or to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or developments occurring after the date of this prospectus, even if new information becomes available in the future.
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USE OF PROCEEDS
Except as described in any applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses in connection with a specific offering, we currently intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby for general corporate purposes, including, among other things, working capital requirements and potential repayment of indebtedness that may be outstanding at the time of any offering under this prospectus. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the securities offered hereby to acquire or invest in businesses, services and technologies that are complementary to our own, although we have no present commitments or agreements to do so. Accordingly, we will retain broad discretion over the use of such proceeds. Pending these uses, we intend to invest the net proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. We will not receive any of the proceeds from sales of securities by selling security holders.
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SELLING SECURITY HOLDERS
If the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part is used by selling security holders for the resale of any securities registered thereunder pursuant to a registration rights agreement to be entered into by us with such selling security holders or otherwise, information about such selling security holders, their beneficial ownership of our securities and their relationship with us will be set forth in a prospectus supplement, any free writing prospectus or in other filings we make with the SEC under the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement.
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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
We, or the applicable selling security holders, may sell the securities being offered hereby in one or more of the following ways from time to time:
•through agents to the public or to investors;
•to underwriters, brokers or dealers for resale to the public or to investors;
•in “at the market offerings” within the meaning of Rule 415(a)(4) under the Securities Act, to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market, on an exchange or otherwise;
•directly to investors;
•through a combination of any of these methods of sale; or
•through any other methods described in a prospectus supplement.
Each time we offer and sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement or supplements (and any related free writing prospectus that we may authorize to be provided to you) that will describe the terms of the offering of the securities, including, to the extent applicable:
•the name or names of any agents or underwriters, brokers or dealers and the amount of shares underwritten or purchased by each of them;
•the purchase price of the securities being offered and the proceeds we will receive from the sale;
•any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us;
•any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation;
•any initial public offering price;
•any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to brokers or dealers; and
•any securities exchanges or markets on which such securities may be listed.
We may designate agents who agree to use their reasonable efforts to solicit purchases of our securities for the period of their appointment or to sell our securities on a continuing basis. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay to the agent in the applicable prospectus supplement.
If we use underwriters for a sale of securities, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. The obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to the conditions set forth in the applicable underwriting agreement. We may offer the securities to the public through underwriting syndicates represented by managing underwriters or by underwriters without a syndicate. Subject to certain conditions, the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the securities offered by the prospectus supplement, other than securities covered by any over-allotment or other option. We may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions the underwriters allow or reallow or pay to brokers or dealers. We may use underwriters with whom we have a material relationship. We will describe the nature of any such relationship in any prospectus supplement naming any such underwriter. Only underwriters we name in the applicable prospectus supplement are underwriters of the securities offered by such prospectus supplement.
We may also sell securities directly to one or more purchasers without using underwriters or agents. Underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of the securities may be underwriters as defined in the Securities Act, and any discounts or commissions they receive from us and any profit on their resale of the securities may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We will identify in the applicable prospectus supplement any underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents and will describe their compensation. We may have agreements with the underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents to indemnify them against specified civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution with respect to payments which they may be required to make in respect thereof. Underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
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We and/or the selling security holders, if applicable, may authorize underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain purchasers to purchase the securities from us at the public offering price set forth in the prospectus supplement pursuant to delayed delivery contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, and the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth any commissions we pay for solicitation of these contracts.
Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no established trading market, other than our common stock, which is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchange or market, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a class or series of securities, but the underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any market making at any time without notice. We cannot give any assurance as to the liquidity of the exchanges or markets for any of the securities.
Any underwriter may engage in overallotment, stabilizing transactions, short covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Overallotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum. Syndicate-covering or other short covering transactions involve purchases of the securities in the open market after the distribution is completed to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when the securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of the securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of these activities at any time.
Any underwriters who are qualified market makers on The Nasdaq Global Select Market may engage in passive market making transactions in the securities on The Nasdaq Global Select Market in accordance with Rule 103 of Regulation M, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of the securities. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security. If all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of the securities at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.
Underwriters and their affiliates may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of business.
Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in one business day, unless the parties to any such trade expressly agree otherwise or the securities are sold by us to an underwriter in a firm commitment underwritten offering. The applicable prospectus supplement may provide that the original issue date for your securities may be more than one scheduled business day after the trade date for your securities. Accordingly, in such a case, if you wish to trade securities on any date prior to the business day before the original issue date for your securities, you will be required, by virtue of the fact that your securities initially are expected to settle in more than one business day after the trade date for your securities, to make alternative settlement arrangements to prevent a failed settlement.
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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following description of our capital stock, together with any additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements or any free writing prospectuses that we may authorize to be delivered to you, summarizes the material terms and provisions of our capital stock that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future capital stock that we may offer, we will describe the particular terms of any class or series of these securities in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. This description is only a summary. For the complete terms of our capital stock, please refer to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation (as amended, our “Certificate of Incorporation”) and our third amended and restated bylaws (as amended, our “Bylaws”), that are incorporated by reference into the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms of these securities may also be affected by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). The summary below and any summary contained in any prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus are qualified in their entirety by reference to our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws.
Common Stock
We are authorized to issue 195,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of which 170,329,158 shares were issued and outstanding as of February 20, 2026. The holders of common stock possess exclusive voting rights in us, except to the extent our board of directors specifies voting power with respect to any other class of securities issued in the future. Each holder of our common stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of record on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Stockholders do not have any right to cumulate votes in the election of directors.
Subject to preferences that may be granted to the holders of preferred stock, each holder of our common stock is entitled to share ratably in distributions to stockholders and to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available therefor. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to receive, after payment of all of our debts and liabilities and of all sums to which holders of any preferred stock may be entitled, the distribution of any of our remaining assets. Holders of our common stock have no conversion, exchange, sinking fund, redemption or appraisal rights (other than as may be determined by our board of directors in its sole discretion) and have no preemptive rights to subscribe for any of our securities.
All of the outstanding shares of our common stock are, and the shares of common stock issued upon the conversion of any securities convertible into our common stock will be, fully paid and non-assessable. The shares of common stock offered by this prospectus or upon the conversion of any preferred stock or debt securities or exercise of any warrants offered pursuant to this prospectus, when issued and paid for, will also be, fully paid and non-assessable.
Our common stock is listed on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “KTOS.”
Undesignated Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, none of which were issued and outstanding as of February 26, 2026. Our board of directors is authorized to classify or reclassify any unissued portion of our authorized shares of preferred stock to provide for the issuance of shares of other classes or series, including preferred stock in one or more series. We may issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more classes or series, with the exact terms of each class or series established by our board of directors. Without seeking stockholder approval, our board of directors may issue preferred stock with voting and other rights that could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock. Additionally, the issuance of preferred stock may have the effect of decreasing the market price of the common stock.
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The rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of the preferred stock of each series will be fixed by the certificate of designation relating to each series. A prospectus supplement relating to each series will specify the terms of the preferred stock, including, but not limited to:
•the distinctive designation and the maximum number of shares in the series;
•the terms on which dividends, if any, will be paid;
•the voting rights, if any, on the shares of the series;
•the terms and conditions, if any, on which the shares of the series shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of any other class or classes of capital stock;
•the terms on which the shares may be redeemed, if at all;
•the liquidation preference, if any; and
•any or all other preferences, rights, restrictions, including restrictions on transferability, and qualifications of shares of the series.
The issuance of preferred stock may delay, deter or prevent a change in control.
We will describe the specific terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement relating to that series. The description of preferred stock above and the description of the terms of a particular series of preferred stock in the prospectus supplement are not complete. You should refer to the applicable certificate of designation for complete information. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of U.S. federal income tax consequences relating to the preferred stock.
Possible Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and our Charter Documents
Provisions of the DGCL and our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws could make it more difficult to acquire us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest or otherwise, or to remove incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices and takeover bids that our board of directors may consider inadequate and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging takeover or acquisition proposals because, among other things, negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
Delaware Anti-Takeover Statute
We are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, an anti-takeover statute. In general, Section 203 of the DGCL prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years following the time the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the acquisition of shares that resulted in a stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. Generally, a “business combination” includes a merger, asset or stock sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Generally, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status did own) 15% or more of the applicable corporation’s voting stock. The existence of this provision would be expected to have an anti-takeover effect with respect to transactions not approved in advance by our board of directors, including discouraging attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for the shares of common stock held by our stockholders.
Election and Removal of Directors
Our board of directors is elected annually by all holders of our capital stock. To be eligible for election or appointment to the board of directors, an individual must meet certain director qualification requirements set forth in our Bylaws. At a special meeting of stockholders, directors may be removed without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such removal.
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Amendment
The affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3 % of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of our voting stock, voting together as a single class, is required to, among other things, alter, amend or repeal certain provisions of our Certificate of Incorporation, including those related to the election and removal of the board of directors, amendment of our Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation, restrictions against stockholder actions by written consent and the indemnification of officers and directors.
Our Bylaws, may only be amended (or new bylaws adopted) by the board of directors or the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3 % of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of our voting stock.
Size of Board and Vacancies
Pursuant to our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws, our board of directors has the exclusive right to fix the size of the board and to fill any vacancies resulting from death, resignation, disqualification or removal as well as any newly created directorships arising from an increase in the size of the board of directors.
Special Stockholder Meetings
Our Bylaws provide that only a majority of the total number of directors then in office may call a special meeting of the stockholders, and any business conducted at any special meeting must have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before a meeting, business must be specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of our board of directors, otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of our board of directors, or otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder, but, in the case of a special meeting, if and only if the notice of the meeting provides for business to be brought before the meeting by a stockholder.
Stockholder Action by Unanimous Written Consent
Our Certificate of Incorporation expressly eliminates the right of our stockholders to act by written consent. Stockholder action must take place at the annual or a special meeting of our stockholders.
Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals
Our Bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals and nomination of candidates for election as directors other than nominations made by or at the direction of our board of directors or a committee of our board of directors.
No Cumulative Voting
The DGCL provides that stockholders are denied the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors unless a company's Certificate of Incorporation provides otherwise. Our Certificate of Incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting.
Undesignated Preferred Stock
The authority that will be possessed by our board of directors to issue preferred stock could potentially be used to discourage attempts by third parties to obtain control of the Company through a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult or more costly. Our board of directors may issue preferred stock with voting rights or conversion rights that, if exercised, could adversely affect the voting power of the holders of our common stock.
Authorized but Unissued Shares
Our authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock will be available for future issuance without stockholder approval. We may use additional shares for a variety of purposes, including future public offerings to raise additional capital, to fund acquisitions and as employee compensation. The existence of authorized
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but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a proxy contest, tender offer, merger or otherwise.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is EQ Shareowner Services. Its address is 1110 Centre Pointe Curve, Suite 101, Mendota Heights, MN 55120 and its telephone number is (800) 468-9716. The transfer agent for any series of preferred stock that we may offer under this prospectus will be named and described in the prospectus supplement for that series.
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DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
The following description, together with the additional information we include in any applicable prospectus supplements or free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus. We may issue an unlimited amount of debt securities, in one or more series, as either senior or subordinated debt or as senior or subordinated convertible debt. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any future debt securities we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any debt securities that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus. The terms of any debt securities we offer under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms we describe below. Unless the context requires otherwise, whenever we refer to the “indentures,” we also are referring to any supplemental indentures that specify the terms of a particular series of debt securities.
We will issue any senior debt securities under the senior indenture and any supplemental indentures that we will enter into with the trustee named in the senior indenture. We will issue any subordinated debt securities under the subordinated indenture and any supplemental indentures that we will enter into with the trustee named in the subordinated indenture. We have filed forms of these documents as exhibits to the registration statement, of which this prospectus is a part, and supplemental indentures and forms of debt securities containing the terms of the debt securities being offered will be filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part or will be incorporated by reference from reports that we file with the SEC.
The indentures will be qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the “Trust Indenture Act”). We use the term “trustee” to refer to either the trustee under the senior indenture or the trustee under the subordinated indenture, as applicable.
The following summaries of material provisions of the senior debt securities, the subordinated debt securities and the applicable indentures are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of the indenture and any supplemental indentures applicable to a particular series of debt securities. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements and any related free writing prospectuses related to the debt securities that we may offer under this prospectus, as well as the complete indentures and supplemental indentures that contain the terms of the debt securities.
The terms of each series of debt securities will be established by or pursuant to a resolution of our board of directors and set forth or determined in the manner provided in an officers’ certificate or by a supplemental indenture. Debt securities may be issued in separate series without limitation as to aggregate principal amount. We may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount for the debt securities of any series. We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of debt securities being offered, including:
•the title;
•the principal amount being offered, and if a series, the total amount authorized and the total amount outstanding;
•any limit on the amount that may be issued;
•whether or not we will issue the series of debt securities in global form, and, if so, the terms and who the depositary will be;
•the maturity date;
•whether and under what circumstances, if any, we will pay additional amounts on any debt securities held by a person who is not a U.S. person for tax purposes, and whether we can redeem the debt securities if we have to pay such additional amounts;
•the annual interest rate, which may be fixed or variable, or the method for determining the rate and the date interest will begin to accrue, the dates interest will be payable and the regular record dates for interest payment dates or the method for determining such dates;
•whether or not the debt securities will be secured or unsecured, and the terms of any secured debt;
•the terms of the subordination of any series of subordinated debt;
•the place where payments will be payable;
•restrictions on transfer, sale or other assignment, if any;
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•our right, if any, to defer payment of interest and the maximum length of any such deferral period;
•the date, if any, after which, and the price at which, we may, at our option, redeem the series of debt securities pursuant to any optional or provisional redemption provisions and the terms of those redemption provisions;
•provisions for a sinking fund purchase or other analogous fund, if any, including the date, if any, on which, and the price at which we are obligated, pursuant thereto or otherwise, to redeem, or at the holder’s option, to purchase, the series of debt securities and the currency or currency unit in which the debt securities are payable;
•whether the applicable indenture will restrict our ability or the ability of our subsidiaries to:
•incur additional indebtedness;
•issue additional securities;
•create liens;
•pay dividends or make distributions in respect of our capital stock or the capital stock of our subsidiaries;
•redeem capital stock;
•place restrictions on our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends, make distributions or transfer assets;
•make investments or other restricted payments;
•sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of assets;
•enter into sale-leaseback transactions;
•engage in transactions with stockholders or affiliates;
•issue or sell stock of our subsidiaries; or
•effect a consolidation or merger;
•whether the indenture will require us to maintain any interest coverage, fixed charge, cash flow-based, asset-based or other financial ratios;
•information describing any book-entry features;
•the applicability of the provisions in the indenture on discharge;
•whether the debt securities are to be offered at a price such that they will be deemed to be offered at an “original issue discount” as defined in paragraph (a) of Section 1273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended;
•the denominations in which we will issue the series of debt securities, if other than denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof;
•the currency of payment of debt securities if other than U.S. dollars and the manner of determining the equivalent amount in U.S. dollars; and
•any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of, or restrictions on, the debt securities, including any additional events of default or covenants provided with respect to the debt securities, and any terms that may be required by us or advisable under applicable laws or regulations.
U.S. federal income tax consequences related to the debt securities, including tax consequences applicable to debt securities sold at an original issue discount, will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. In addition, U.S. federal income tax or other consequences applicable to any debt securities which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than U.S. dollars may be described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Conversion or Exchange Rights
We will set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms under which a series of debt securities may be convertible into or exchangeable for our common stock, our preferred stock or other securities (including securities of a third party). We will include provisions as to whether conversion or exchange is mandatory, at the option of the holder or at our option. We may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares of our common stock, our preferred stock or other securities (including securities of a third party) that the holders of the series of debt securities receive would be subject to adjustment.
Consolidation, Merger or Sale
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the indentures will not contain any covenant that restricts our ability to merge or consolidate, or sell, convey, transfer or
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otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets. However, any successor to or acquiror of such assets must assume all of our obligations under the indentures or the debt securities, as appropriate. If the debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for our other securities or securities of third parties, the person with whom we consolidate or merge or to whom we sell all of our property must make provisions for the conversion of the debt securities into securities that the holders of the debt securities would have received if they had converted the debt securities before the consolidation, merger or sale.
Events of Default under an Indenture
Unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, the following are events of default under the indentures with respect to any series of debt securities that we may issue:
•if we fail to pay interest when due and payable and our failure continues for 30 days;
•if we fail to pay the principal, premium or sinking fund payment, if any, when due and payable;
•if we fail to observe or perform any other covenant contained in the debt securities or the indentures, other than a covenant specifically relating to another series of debt securities, and our failure continues for 90 days after we receive notice from the trustee or we and the trustee receive notice from the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the applicable series; and
•if specified events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur.
We will describe in each applicable prospectus supplement any additional events of default relating to the relevant series of debt securities. If an event of default with respect to debt securities of any series occurs and is continuing, other than an event of default specified in the last bullet point above, the applicable trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series, by notice to us in writing, and to the applicable trustee if notice is given by such holders, may declare the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, due and payable immediately. If an event of default arises due to the occurrence of certain specified bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization events, the unpaid principal, premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, of each issue of debt securities then outstanding shall be due and payable without any notice or other action on the part of the trustee or any holder of such debt securities.
The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of an affected series may waive any default or event of default with respect to the series and its consequences, except defaults or events of default regarding payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, unless we have cured the default or event of default in accordance with the indenture. Any such waiver shall cure the default or event of default.
Subject to the terms of the applicable indenture, if an event of default under an indenture shall occur and be continuing, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under such indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders of the applicable series of debt securities, unless such holders have offered the trustee reasonable indemnity or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense. The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee, or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, with respect to the debt securities of that series, provided that:
•the direction so given by the holder is not in conflict with any law or the applicable indenture; and
•subject to its duties under the Trust Indenture Act, the trustee need not take any action that might involve it in personal liability or might be unduly prejudicial to the holders not involved in the proceeding.
The indentures provide that if an event of default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee will be required in the exercise of its powers to use the degree of care that a prudent person would use in the conduct of its own affairs. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that conflicts with law or the indenture, or that the trustee determines is unduly prejudicial to the rights of any other holder of the relevant series of debt securities, or that would involve the trustee in personal liability. Prior to taking any action under the indentures, the trustee will be entitled to indemnification against all costs, expenses and liabilities that would be incurred by taking or not taking such action.
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A holder of the debt securities of any series will have the right to institute a proceeding under the indentures or to appoint a receiver or trustee, or to seek other remedies only if:
•the holder has given written notice to the trustee of a continuing event of default with respect to that series;
•the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have made a written request and such holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee or security satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense to be incurred in compliance with instituting the proceeding as trustee; and
•the trustee does not institute the proceeding, and does not receive from the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series other conflicting directions within 60 days after the notice, request and offer.
These limitations do not apply to a suit instituted by a holder of debt securities if we default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities.
We will periodically file statements with the trustee regarding our compliance with specified covenants in the indentures.
The indentures provide that if a default occurs and is continuing and is actually known to a responsible officer of the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder notice of the default within 45 days after it occurs, unless such default has been cured. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal or premium of, or interest on, any debt security or certain other defaults specified in the applicable indenture, the trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or another committee of directors, or responsible officers of the trustee, in good faith determine that withholding notice is in the best interests of holders of the relevant series of debt securities.
Modification of Indenture; Waiver
Subject to the terms of the applicable indenture for any series of debt securities that we may issue, we and the trustee may modify or amend an indenture without the consent of any holders of the applicable debt securities with respect to the following specific matters:
•to fix any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency in the indenture;
•to comply with the provisions described above under “-Consolidation, Merger or Sale;”
•to comply with any requirements of the SEC in connection with the qualification of any indenture under the Trust Indenture Act;
•to add to, delete from or revise the conditions, limitations and restrictions on the authorized amount, terms or purposes of issue, authentication and delivery of debt securities, as set forth in such indenture;
•to provide for the issuance of, and establish the form and terms and conditions of, the debt securities of any series as provided above under “-General,” to establish the form of any certifications required to be furnished pursuant to the terms of the indenture or any series of debt securities, or to add to the rights of the holders of any series of debt securities;
•to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by a successor trustee or other agent;
•to comply with the applicable procedures of the applicable depositary;
•to provide for uncertificated debt securities in addition to or in place of certificated debt securities and to make all appropriate changes for such purpose;
•to secure debt securities of any series;
•to add such new covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions for the protection of the holders, and to make the occurrence, or the occurrence and the continuance, of a default in any such additional covenants, restrictions, conditions or provisions an event of default or to surrender any right or power conferred to us in the indenture; or
•to change anything that does not materially adversely affect the interests of any holder of debt securities of any series in any material respect; provided that any amendment made solely to conform the provisions of the indenture to the corresponding description of the debt securities contained in the applicable prospectus or prospectus supplement shall be deemed not to adversely affect the interests of the holders of such debt
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securities; provided further, that in connection with any such amendment we will provide the trustee with an officers’ certificate certifying that such amendment will not adversely affect the rights or interests of the holders of such debt securities.
In addition, under the indentures, the rights of holders of a series of debt securities may be changed by us and the trustee with the written consent of the holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series that is affected. However, unless we provide otherwise in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we and the trustee may only make the following changes to the applicable indenture with the consent of each holder of any outstanding debt securities affected:
•extending the fixed maturity of the series of debt securities;
•reducing the principal amount, reducing the rate of or extending the time of payment of interest, or reducing any premium payable upon the redemption of any debt securities;
•reducing the percentage of debt securities, the holders of which are required to consent to any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver of such indenture;
•changing any of our obligations to pay additional amounts;
•reducing the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other note payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof;
•changing the currency in which any note or any premium or interest is payable;
•impairing the right to enforce any payment on or with respect to any note;
•adversely changing the right to convert or exchange such series of debt securities, including decreasing the conversion rate or increasing the conversion price of, such debt securities, if applicable;
•in the case of the subordinated indenture, modifying the subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the holders of the subordinated debt securities;
•if the debt securities are secured, changing the terms and conditions pursuant to which the debt securities are secured in a manner adverse to the holders of the secured debt securities;
•reducing the requirements contained in the applicable indenture for quorum or voting;
•changing any of our obligations to maintain an office or agency in the places and for the purposes required by the applicable indenture; or
•modifying any of the above provisions described in this paragraph.
Discharge
Each indenture provides that, subject to the terms of such indenture and any limitation otherwise provided in the prospectus supplement applicable to a particular series of debt securities, we may elect to be discharged from our obligations with respect to one or more series of debt securities, except for specified obligations, including obligations to:
•register the transfer or exchange of debt securities of such series;
•replace stolen, lost or mutilated debt securities of such series;
•maintain paying agents;
•hold monies for payment in trust;
•recover excess money held by the trustee;
•compensate and indemnify the trustee; and
•appoint any successor trustee.
In order to exercise our rights to be discharged, we must deposit with the trustee money or government obligations sufficient to pay all the principal of, and any premium and interest on, the debt securities of the series on the dates payments are due.
Form, Exchange and Transfer
We will issue the debt securities of each series only in fully registered form without coupons and, unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof. The indentures provide that we may issue debt securities of a series in temporary or permanent global form and as book-entry securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository
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Trust Company or another depositary named by us and identified in a prospectus supplement with respect to that series. See “Legal Ownership of Securities” below for a further description of the terms relating to any book-entry securities.
At the option of the holder, subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities described in the applicable prospectus supplement, the holder of the debt securities of any series can exchange such debt securities for other debt securities of the same series, in any authorized denomination and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
Subject to the terms of the indentures and the limitations applicable to global securities set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of debt securities may present such debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer, duly endorsed or with the form of transfer endorsed thereon duly executed if so required by us or the security registrar, at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by us for this purpose. Unless otherwise provided in the debt securities that the holder presents for transfer or exchange, or the indenture governing the terms of such debt securities, we will impose no service charge for any registration of transfer or exchange, but we may require payment of any taxes or other governmental charges.
We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement the security registrar, and any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar, that we initially designate for any debt securities. We may at any time designate additional transfer agents or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts, except that we will be required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of each series.
If we elect to redeem debt securities of any series, we will not be required to:
•issue, register the transfer of, or exchange any debt securities of that series during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any debt securities that may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day of the mailing; or
•register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion of any debt securities we are redeeming in part.
Information Concerning the Trustee
The applicable trustee, other than during the occurrence and continuance of an event of default under an indenture, undertakes to perform only those duties as are specifically set forth in the applicable indenture and is under no obligation to exercise any of the powers given it by the indentures at the request of any holder of debt securities unless it is offered reasonable security and indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities that it might incur. However, upon an event of default under an indenture, the trustee must use the same degree of care as a prudent person would exercise or use in the conduct of his or her own affairs.
Payment and Paying Agents
Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make payment of the interest on any debt securities on any interest payment date to the person in whose name the debt securities, or one or more predecessor securities, are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for the interest payment.
We will pay principal of and any premium and interest on the debt securities of a particular series at the office of the paying agents designated by us, except that unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will make interest payments by check that we will mail to the holder or by wire transfer to certain holders. Unless we otherwise indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will designate the corporate trust office of the trustee in the City of New York as our sole paying agent for payments with respect to debt securities of each series. We will name in the applicable prospectus supplement any other paying agents that we initially designate for debt securities of a particular series. We will maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities of a particular series.
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All money we pay to a paying agent or the trustee for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any debt securities that remains unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us, and the holder of the debt security thereafter may look only to us for payment thereof.
Governing Law
The indentures and the debt securities will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
Ranking of Debt Securities
The subordinated debt securities will be unsecured and will be subordinate and junior in priority of payment to certain of our other indebtedness to the extent described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The subordinated indenture does not limit the amount of subordinated debt securities that we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
The senior debt securities will be unsecured and will rank equally in right of payment with all our other senior unsecured debt. The senior indenture does not limit the amount of senior debt securities that we may issue. It also does not limit us from issuing any other secured or unsecured debt.
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DESCRIPTION OF WARRANTS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and any applicable free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, which may consist of warrants to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities and may be issued in one or more series. Warrants may be offered independently or together with common stock, preferred stock or debt securities offered by any prospectus supplement, and may be attached to or separate from those securities. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any warrants that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants that we may offer in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus. The terms of any warrants offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.
We will issue the warrants under a warrant agreement that we will enter into with a warrant agent to be selected by us. The warrant agent will act solely as an agent of ours in connection with the warrants and will not act as an agent for the holders or beneficial owners of the warrants. We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of warrant agreement, including a form of warrant certificate, that describes the terms of the particular series of warrants we are offering before the issuance of the related series of warrants. The following summaries of material provisions of the warrants and the warrant agreements are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the warrant agreement and warrant certificate applicable to a particular series of warrants. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplement and any applicable free writing prospectus related to the particular series of warrants that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete warrant agreements and warrant certificates that contain the terms of the warrants.
General
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms relating to a series of warrants, including:
•the offering price and aggregate number of warrants offered;
•the currency for which the warrants may be purchased;
•if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;
•if applicable, the date on and after which the warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;
•in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at, and currency in which, this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;
•in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the number of shares of common stock or preferred stock, as the case may be, purchasable upon the exercise of one warrant and the price at which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;
•the effect of any merger, consolidation, sale or other disposition of our business on the warrant agreements and the warrants;
•the terms of any rights to redeem or call the warrants;
•any provisions for changes to or adjustments in the exercise price or number of securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;
•the dates on which the right to exercise the warrants will commence and expire;
•the manner in which the warrant agreements and warrants may be modified;
•the material United States federal income tax consequences of holding or exercising the warrants;
•the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants; and
•any other specific terms, preferences, rights or limitations of or restrictions on the warrants.
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Before exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including:
•in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive payments of principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture; or
•in the case of warrants to purchase common stock or preferred stock, the right to receive dividends, if any, or, payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise voting rights, if any.
Exercise of Warrants
Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase the securities that we specify in the applicable prospectus supplement at the exercise price that we describe in the applicable prospectus supplement. Unless we otherwise specify in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants at any time up to the specified time on the expiration date that we set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.
Holders of the warrants may exercise the warrants by delivering the warrant certificate representing the warrants to be exercised together with specified information, and paying the required amount to the warrant agent in immediately available funds, as provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. We will set forth on the reverse side of the warrant certificate and in the applicable prospectus supplement the information that the holder of the warrant will be required to deliver to the warrant agent.
Upon receipt of the required payment and the warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will issue and deliver the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If fewer than all of the warrants represented by the warrant certificate are exercised, then we will issue a new warrant certificate for the remaining amount of warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Warrants
Each warrant agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable warrant agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any warrant. A single bank or trust company may act as warrant agent for more than one issue of warrants. A warrant agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable warrant agreement or warrant, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a warrant may, without the consent of the related warrant agent or the holder of any other warrant, enforce by appropriate legal action its right to exercise, and receive the securities purchasable upon exercise of, its warrants.
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DESCRIPTION OF RIGHTS
General
We may issue rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or the other securities described in this prospectus. This prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement, and any applicable free writing prospectus will contain the material terms and conditions for each right. The accompanying prospectus supplement may add, update or change the terms and conditions of the rights as described in this prospectus.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms and conditions of the issue of rights being offered, the rights agreement relating to the rights and the rights certificates representing the rights, including, as applicable:
•the title of the rights;
•the date of determining the stockholders entitled to the rights distribution;
•the title, aggregate number of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights;
•the exercise price;
•the currencies in which the rights are being offered;
•the aggregate number of rights issued;
•the date, if any, on and after which the rights will be separately transferable;
•the date on which the right to exercise the rights will commence and the date on which the right will expire; and
•any other terms of the rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the distribution, exchange and exercise of the rights.
Exercise of Rights
Each right will entitle the holder of rights to purchase for cash the principal amount of shares of common stock, preferred stock or other securities at the exercise price provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. Rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for the rights provided in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised rights will be void.
Holders may exercise rights as described in the applicable prospectus supplement. Upon receipt of payment and the rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the shares of common stock, preferred stock, or other securities purchasable upon exercise of the rights. If less than all of the rights issued in any rights offering are exercised, we may offer any unsubscribed securities directly to persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters, brokers or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting arrangements, as described in the applicable prospectus supplement.
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DESCRIPTION OF UNITS
The following description, together with the additional information we may include in any applicable prospectus supplements and any applicable free writing prospectuses, summarizes the material terms and provisions of the units that we may offer under this prospectus. While the terms we have summarized below will apply generally to any units that we may offer under this prospectus, we will describe the particular terms of any series of units in more detail in the applicable prospectus supplement. The terms of any units offered under a prospectus supplement may differ from the terms described below. However, no prospectus supplement will fundamentally change the terms that are set forth in this prospectus or offer a security that is not registered and described in this prospectus at the time of its effectiveness.
We will file as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, or will incorporate by reference from a Current Report on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC, the form of unit agreement that describes the terms of the series of units we are offering, and any supplemental agreements, before the issuance of the related series of units. The following summaries of material terms and provisions of the units are subject to, and qualified in their entirety by reference to, all the provisions of the unit agreement and any supplemental agreements applicable to a particular series of units. We urge you to read the applicable prospectus supplements related to the particular series of units that we sell under this prospectus, as well as the complete unit agreement and any supplemental agreements that contain the terms of the units.
General
We may issue units comprised of one or more debt securities, shares of common stock, shares of preferred stock, warrants or rights in any combination. Each unit will be issued so that the holder of the unit is also the holder of each security included in the unit. Thus, the holder of a unit will have the rights and obligations of a holder of each included security. The unit agreement under which a unit is issued may provide that the securities included in the unit may not be held or transferred separately, at any time or at any time before a specified date.
We will describe in the applicable prospectus supplement the terms of the series of units, including:
•the designation and terms of the units and of the securities comprising the units, including whether and under what circumstances those securities may be held or transferred separately;
•any provisions of the governing unit agreement that differ from those described in this prospectus; and
•any provisions for the issuance, payment, settlement, transfer or exchange of the units or of the securities comprising the units.
The provisions described in this section, as well as those described under “Description of Capital Stock,” “Description of Debt Securities,” “Description of Warrants” and “Description of Rights” will apply to each unit and to any common stock, preferred stock, debt security, warrant or right included in each unit, respectively.
Issuance in Series
We may issue units in such amounts and in any number of distinct series as we determine.
Enforceability of Rights by Holders of Units
Each unit agent will act solely as our agent under the applicable unit agreement and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or trust with any holder of any unit. A single bank or trust company may act as unit agent for more than one series of units. A unit agent will have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by us under the applicable unit agreement or any security included in such unit, including any duty or responsibility to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise, or to make any demand upon us. Any holder of a unit may, without the consent of the related unit agent or the holder of any other unit, enforce by appropriate legal action its rights as holder under any security included in the unit.
We, the unit agents and any of their agents may treat the registered holder of any unit certificate as an absolute owner of the units evidenced by that certificate for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights attaching to the units so requested, despite any notice to the contrary. See “Legal Ownership of Securities.”
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LEGAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
We can issue securities in registered form or in the form of one or more global securities. We describe global securities in greater detail below. We refer to those persons who have securities registered in their own names on the books that we or any applicable trustee, depositary, warrant agent or other agent maintain for this purpose as the “holders” of those securities. These persons are the legal holders of the securities. We refer to those persons who, indirectly through others, own beneficial interests in securities that are not registered in their own names, as “indirect holders” of those securities. As we discuss below, indirect holders are not legal holders, and investors in securities issued in book-entry form or in street name will be indirect holders.
Book-Entry Holders
We may issue securities in book-entry form only, as will be specified in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means securities may be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a financial institution that holds them as depositary on behalf of other financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, which are referred to as participants, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the securities on behalf of themselves or their customers.
Only the person in whose name a security is registered is recognized as the holder of that security. Global securities will be registered in the name of the depositary. Consequently, for global securities, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the securities, and we will make all payments on the securities to the depositary. The depositary passes along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the securities we may offer.
As a result, investors in a global security will not own securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the securities are issued in global form, investors will be indirect holders, and not legal holders, of the securities.
Street Name Holders
We may terminate a global security or issue securities that are not issued in global form. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their securities in their own names or in “street name.” Securities held by an investor in street name would be registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution that the investor chooses, and the investor would hold only a beneficial interest in those securities through an account he or she maintains at that institution.
For securities held in street name, we or any applicable trustee or depositary will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the securities are registered as the holders of those securities, and we or any such trustee or depositary will make all payments on those securities to them. These institutions pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold securities in street name will be indirect holders, not legal holders, of those securities.
Legal Holders
Our obligations, as well as the obligations of any applicable trustee, agent or third party employed by us or a trustee or any agents, run only to the legal holders of the securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a security or has no choice because we are issuing the securities only in global form.
For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with its participants or customers or by law, to
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pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, we may want to obtain the approval of the holders to amend an indenture, to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture, or for other purposes. In such an event, we would seek approval only from the legal holders, and not the indirect holders, of the securities. Whether and how the legal holders contact the indirect holders is up to the legal holders.
When we refer to “you” in this prospectus, we mean those who invest in the securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those securities. When we refer to “your securities” in this prospectus, we mean the securities in which you will hold a direct or indirect interest.
Special Considerations for Indirect Holders
If you hold securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form because the securities are represented by one or more global securities or in street name, you should check with your own institution to find out:
•how it handles securities payments and notices;
•whether it imposes fees or charges;
•how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;
•whether and how you can instruct it to send you securities registered in your own name so you can be a legal holder, if that is permitted in the future;
•how it would exercise rights under the securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and
•if the securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.
Global Securities
A global security is a security that represents one or any other number of individual securities held by a depositary. Generally, all securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.
Each security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we issue to, deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company (“DTC”) will be the depositary for all securities we issue in book-entry form.
A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary, its nominee or a successor depositary, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “-Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and legal holder of all securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in such global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that does. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a legal holder of the security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.
If the prospectus supplement for a particular security indicates that the security will be issued as a global security, then the security will be represented by a global security at all times unless and until the global security is terminated. If termination occurs, we may issue the securities through another book-entry clearing system or decide that the securities may no longer be held through any book-entry clearing system.
Special Considerations For Global Securities
As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. We do not recognize an indirect holder as a holder of securities and instead deal only with the depositary that holds the global security.
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If securities are issued only as global securities, an investor should be aware of the following:
•an investor cannot cause the securities to be registered in his or her name, and cannot obtain non-global certificates for his or her interest in the securities, except in the special situations we describe below;
•an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the securities, as we describe above;
•an investor may not be able to sell interests in the securities to some insurance companies and to other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;
•an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in the global security in circumstances where certificates representing the securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;
•the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in the global security. We and any applicable trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in the global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;
•the depositary may, and we understand that DTC will, require that those who purchase and sell interests in the global security within its book-entry system use immediately available funds, and your broker or bank may require you to do so as well; and
•financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in the global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the securities. There may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor. We do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.
Special Situations When A Global Security Will Be Terminated
In a few special situations described below, a global security will terminate and interests in it will be exchanged for physical certificates representing those interests. After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in securities transferred to their own names, so that they will be direct holders. We have described the rights of holders and street name investors above.
Unless we provide otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, a global security will terminate when the following special situations occur:
•if the depositary notifies us that it is unwilling, unable or no longer qualified to continue as depositary for that global security and we do not appoint another institution to act as depositary within 90 days;
•if we notify any applicable trustee that we wish to terminate that global security; or
•if an event of default has occurred with regard to securities represented by that global security and has not been cured or waived.
The applicable prospectus supplement may also list additional situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we, the trustee, the agent or other third party, as applicable, is responsible for deciding the names of the institutions in whose names the securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the direct holders of those securities.
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LEGAL MATTERS
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP, Menlo Park, California will pass for us upon the validity of the securities being offered by this prospectus. If the securities are being distributed in an underwritten offering, certain legal matters will be passed upon for the underwriters by counsel identified in the related prospectus supplement.
EXPERTS
The financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report. Such financial statements are incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of such firm, given their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including Kratos. You may also access our reports and proxy statements free of charge at our Internet website, http://www.kratosdefense.com. The information contained in, or that can be accessed through, our website is not part of this prospectus. The prospectus included in this filing is part of a registration statement filed by us with the SEC. The full registration statement can be obtained from the SEC, as indicated above, or from us by writing to the address listed under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” below.
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities to be offered. This prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and we refer you to the omitted information. The statements this prospectus makes pertaining to the content of any contract, agreement or other document that is an exhibit to the registration statement necessarily are summaries of their material provisions and do not describe all exceptions and qualifications contained in those contracts, agreements or documents. You should read those contracts, agreements or documents for information that may be important to you. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s Internet website.
You should rely only on information in this prospectus or incorporated by reference herein. We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date of the front page of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of the securities offered by this prospectus.
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INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to incorporate by reference the information we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document that we have filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be a part of this prospectus. We hereby incorporate by reference the following information or documents into this prospectus:
•our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2025 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2026; and
•the portions of our Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 4, 2025, incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2024; and
•the description of our common stock contained in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 000-27231), filed under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act on September 3, 1999, including any subsequent amendment or report filed for the purpose of amending such description, including Exhibit 4.4 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 (filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020).
Any information in any of the foregoing documents will automatically be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that information in this prospectus or in a later filed document that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference modifies or replaces such information. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We also incorporate by reference any future filings (other than information in current reports furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits filed on such form that are related to such items) made with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, until the termination of the offering of the securities covered by this prospectus. Information in such future filings updates and supplements the information provided in this prospectus. Any statements in any such future filings will automatically be deemed to modify and supersede any information in any document we previously filed with the SEC that is incorporated or deemed to be incorporated herein by reference to the extent that statements in the later filed document modify or replace such earlier statements.
Upon written or oral request, we will provide to you, without charge, a copy of any or all of the documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus but not delivered with the prospectus, including exhibits which are specifically incorporated by reference into such documents. Requests should be directed to: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., Attention: Investor Relations, 10680 Treena St., Suite 600, San Diego, California 92131, telephone (858) 812-7300.
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PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.
The following table sets forth the various expenses to be incurred in connection with the registration of the securities being registered hereby (other than underwriting discounts and commissions). All of such expenses are estimates, other than the registration fee.
| Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee | $ | ** | ||||||
| Transfer agent’s and trustee’s fees and expenses | * | |||||||
| FINRA filing fee (if applicable) | * | |||||||
| Printing and engraving expenses | * | |||||||
| Legal fees and expenses | * | |||||||
| Rating agency fees | * | |||||||
| Accounting fees and expenses | * | |||||||
| Miscellaneous expenses | * | |||||||
| Total | $ | * | ||||||
__________________
**Deferred in reliance upon Rules 456(b) and 457(r) under the Securities Act.
*These fees cannot be estimated at this time, as they are calculated based on the securities offered and the number of issuances. An estimate of the aggregate expenses in connection with the sale and distribution of the securities being offered will be included in the applicable prospectus supplement.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of Delaware.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) authorizes a court to award or a corporation’s board of directors to grant indemnification to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities (including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities Act.
Our certificate of incorporation, includes a provision that, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, eliminates the personal liability of our directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. In addition, our Bylaws require us to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any person made or threatened to be made a party to an action, suit or proceeding (whether criminal, civil, administrative or investigative) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of ours or any predecessor of ours, or serves or served at any other enterprise as a director, officer, employee or agent at our request, against expenses, liability or loss (including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, settlements and certain other amounts) reasonably incurred or suffered by such person in connection with any proceeding, arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of ours. We are required to advance expenses incurred by our directors and officers in defending any action or proceeding for which indemnification is required or permitted, subject to certain limited exceptions. The indemnification rights conferred by our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws are not exclusive.
As permitted by the DGCL, we have entered into indemnification agreements with certain of our directors and officers. Pursuant to these indemnification agreements, we are obligated to indemnify each director and officer who is a party to the indemnification agreement to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL against any and all expenses, as defined in the indemnification agreement, reasonably incurred by such person as a result of any threatened, asserted, pending or completed action, suit, investigation or proceeding that arises out of any event or occurrence related to the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company or is or was serving at our request as a director, officer, employee, or agent of another enterprise, including any of our subsidiaries. Such additional indemnity is not available, however, with respect to: (i) acts, omissions or transactions for which the director or officer is prohibited from receiving indemnification, exoneration or hold harmless rights under the agreement or
II-1
applicable law; (ii) proceedings or claims initiated or brought by such director or officer against us or our directors, officers, employees or other agents, except with respect to proceedings brought to enforce a right to indemnification under the indemnification agreements or with respect to a proceeding initiated by the director or officer that was either approved by our board of directors or required by applicable law; or (iii) expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by a director or officer of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, or any similar successor statute. The indemnification agreements require us to advance expenses incurred by our directors and officers in defending any action or proceeding for which indemnification is required or permitted.
We also maintain a director and officer insurance policy which insures the directors and officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, within certain limits and subject to certain limitations, against certain expenses in connection with the defense of actions, suits or proceedings, and certain liabilities that might be imposed as a result of such actions, suits or proceedings in which they are parties by reason of being or having been directors or officers.
Any underwriting agreement that we may enter into will likely provide for indemnification of the Company, our directors, our officers who sign the registration statement and our controlling persons, if any, for some liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.
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Item 16. Exhibits.
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | Filing Date | Exhibit Number | Filed Herewith | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.1* | Form of Underwriting Agreement | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.1 | 10-K | 2/27/2017 | 3.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.2 | 8-K | 5/24/2024 | 3.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.3 | 10-K | 2/27/2017 | 4.1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.4 | S-3 | 09/05/17 | 4.4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.5 | S-3 | 09/05/17 | 4.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.6* | Form of Senior Note. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.7* | Form of Subordinated Note. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.8* | Form of Warrant Agreement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.9* | Form of Unit Agreement. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23.2 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 24.1 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25.1* | The Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture will be incorporated herein by reference from a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 25.2* | The Statement of Eligibility on Form T-1 under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture will be incorporated herein by reference from a subsequent filing in accordance with Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 107 | X | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
___________________
*To be filed, if necessary, as an exhibit to a current report of the registrant on Form 8-K or other document to be incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 17. Undertakings.
a)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
1)To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i)to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement; and
(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (i), (ii) and (iii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
2)That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
3)To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
4)That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act to any purchaser:
(i)Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii)Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof; provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time
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of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
5)That, for the purpose of determining liability of a registrant under the Securities Act to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
(i)Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii)Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii)The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv)Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
b)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
c)Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by a registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
d)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that: (i) for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of the registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in the form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the time it was declared effective; and (ii) for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
e)The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC under Section 305(b)(2) of the Trust Indenture Act.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on February 26, 2026.
| KRATOS DEFENSE & SECURITY SOLUTIONS, INC. | |||||
| By: | /s/ Eric M. DeMarco | ||||
| Eric DeMarco | |||||
President and Chief Executive Officer | |||||
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Eric M. DeMarco and Deanna H. Lund, and each of them acting individually, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of each to act alone, with full powers of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments), and to file the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming that all said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them or their substitute or resubstitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Name | Title | Date | ||||||||||||
| /s/ Eric M. DeMarco | President, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer) | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Eric DeMarco | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Deanna H. Lund | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Director (Principal Financial Officer) | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Deanna H. Lund | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Maria Cervantes de Burgreen | Vice President and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Maria Cervantes de Burgreen | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Scott Anderson | Director | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Scott Anderson | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Bradley Boyd | Director | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Bradley Boyd | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Bobbi Doorenbos | Director | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Bobbi Doorenbos | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ William Hoglund | Director | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| William Hoglund | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Scot Jarvis | Director | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Scot Jarvis | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ Amy Zegart | Director | February 26, 2026 | ||||||||||||
| Amy Zegart | ||||||||||||||
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Exhibit 5.1
 | Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP 1540 El Camino Real, Suite 120 Menlo Park, California 94025 650.815.2622 main 650.815.2601 fax www.sheppardmullin.com | |||||||
February 26, 2026
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.
1 Chisholm Trail, Suite 300
Round Rock, TX 78681
| Re: | Registration Statement on Form S-3 | ||||
Ladies and Gentlemen:
We have acted as counsel to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the filing by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) of a Registration Statement on Form S-3ASR (the “Registration Statement”) for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), (a) common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) of the Company; (b) preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”) of the Company; (c) one or more series of the Company’s debt securities (the “Debt Securities”) to be issued pursuant to a senior notes indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registration Statement (the “Senior Notes Indenture”), by and between the Company, as issuer, and a trustee to be named (the “Senior Notes Trustee”), or a subordinated notes indenture, the form of which is attached as Exhibit 4.5 to the Registration Statement (the “Subordinated Notes Indenture” and together with the Senior Notes Indenture, each, an “Indenture”) between the Company, as issuer, and a trustee to be named (together with the Senior Notes Trustee, each a “Trustee”); (d) warrants of the Company (the “Warrants”), which may be issued under one or more warrant agreements (each, a “Warrant Agreement”) to be entered into between the Company and the warrant agent to be named therein (the “Warrant Agent”); (e) rights (the “Rights”) which may be issued under one or more rights agreements (each, a “Rights Agreements”) to be entered into between the Company and the rights agent to be named therein (the “Rights Agent”); and (f) units (the “Units” and, together with the Common Stock, the Preferred Stock, the Debt Securities, the Warrants, and the Rights, the “Securities”) to be issued under one or more unit agreements to be entered into among the Company and a bank or trust company, as unit agent (the “Unit Agent”), and the holders from time to time of the Units (each such unit agreement, a “Unit Agreement”). The Securities are being registered for offering and sale from time to time on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act. This opinion letter is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act.
In connection with this opinion letter, we have reviewed and relied upon the Registration Statement, the Senior Notes Indenture, the Subordinated Notes Indenture, the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), certified by the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as of February 24, 2026 and certified by an officer of the Company as of the date hereof (the “Certificate”), the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended (the “Bylaws”), certified by an officer of the Company as of the date hereof (the “Bylaws” and together with the Certificate, the “Charter Documents”), a certificate of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware as to the formation and good standing of the Company under the laws of the State of Delaware as of February 24, 2026 (and subsequent bring-down as of February 26, 2026) (together, the “Good Standing Certificate”), the proceedings taken by the Company with respect to the authorization of the Securities pursuant to resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company, and such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as we deem necessary as a basis for this opinion letter. We have also obtained from public officials and officers of the Company certificates or comparable documents as to certain factual matters and, insofar as this opinion is based on matters of fact, we have relied on such certificates and comparable documents without independent investigation. We have made such other investigations as we have deemed relevant and necessary in connection with the opinions hereinafter set forth. We have also relied as to certain matters on information obtained from public officials, officers of the Company and other sources believed by us to be responsible.
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In our examination of the documents referred to herein and in rendering the opinions expressed below, we have assumed, without independent investigation or verification: (i) the genuineness of all signatures on all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us; (ii) the legal capacity, competency and authority of all persons or entities executing all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us; (iii) the authenticity and completeness of all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us as originals; (iv) that all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents submitted to us as certified, electronic, facsimile, conformed, photostatic or other copies conform to the originals thereof, and that such originals are authentic and complete; (v) the due authorization, execution and delivery of all agreements, instruments, corporate records, certificates and other documents by all parties thereto (other than the Company); (vi) that no documents submitted to us have been amended or terminated orally or in writing, except as has been disclosed to us in writing; (vii) that the statements contained in the certificates and comparable documents of public officials, officers and representatives of the Company and other persons on which we have relied for the purposes of this opinion letter are true and correct on and as of the date hereof; (viii) that there has not been nor will there be any change in the good standing status of the Company from that reported in the Good Standing Certificate; and (ix) that each of the officers and directors of the Company has properly exercised his or her fiduciary duties. As to all questions of fact material to this opinion letter and as to the materiality of any fact or other matter referred to herein, we have relied (without independent investigation or verification) upon representations and certificates or comparable documents of officers and representatives of the Company. Our knowledge of the Company and its legal and other affairs is limited by the scope of our engagement, which scope includes the delivery of this opinion letter. We do not represent the Company with respect to all legal matters or issues. The Company may employ other independent counsel and, to our knowledge, handles certain legal matters and issues without the assistance of independent counsel.
With your consent, we have assumed that (i) each of the Debt Securities, the Indentures and any related supplemental indenture, term sheet or certificate establishing the terms thereof, the Warrants and any related Warrant Agreement, the Rights and any related Rights Agreement, the Units and any related Unit Agreement, and any purchase, underwriting, sales or similar agreement (collectively, the “Documents”) will be governed by the internal laws of the State of New York and that the choice of law is legally enforceable, (ii) the Documents (other than the Indentures) will contain all provisions required under the laws of the State of Delaware in respect of contracts for the sale of securities issued by a Delaware corporation, (iii) each of the Documents will be duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, and (iv) each of the Documents will constitute valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, enforceable against such parties in accordance with their respective terms.
We also have assumed that none of (i) the execution, delivery or performance of any of the Documents, (ii) the terms of any of the Securities to be established after the date hereof, (iii) the issuance or delivery of such Securities, or (iv) the compliance by the Company with the terms of such Securities will (a) violate any applicable law, rule or regulation to which the Company is then subject or the Charter Documents then in effect, (b) result in a breach of or default under any instrument or agreement then binding upon the Company or any of its properties, or (c) violate, or cause the Company not to comply with, any consent, approval, license, authorization, restriction or requirement imposed by, or any filing, recording or registration with, any court or governmental body having jurisdiction over the Company.
We have further assumed that: (i) the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto will be effective under the Securities Act (and such effectiveness shall not have been terminated or rescinded) and comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered and issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the prospectus included in the Registration Statement (the “Base Prospectus”), and any prospectus supplement, as applicable; (ii) an appropriate prospectus supplement relating to the Securities offered thereby will have been prepared and filed with the Commission in compliance with the Securities Act and will comply with all applicable laws at the time the Securities are offered and issued as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and such prospectus supplement; (iii) the terms of the Securities will conform to the descriptions thereof in the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as applicable, and the corporate action of the Company authorizing the issuance and sale of such Securities; (iv) all Securities will be issued and sold in compliance with the applicable provisions of the Securities Act, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, if applicable, and the securities or blue sky laws of various states and in the manner stated in the Registration
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Statement, the Base Prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as applicable; (v) the Indentures, any supplemental indentures and the Trustees will have been qualified pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, at the time the Securities are offered or issued (or such later time as may be permitted pursuant to the rules, regulations, interpretations or positions of the Commission) as contemplated by the Registration Statement; and (vi) the number of shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, offered pursuant to the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus and any prospectus supplement, as applicable, or, in the case of Preferred Stock, Debt Securities, Warrants, Rights and Units, as applicable, represented by, comprising or issuable upon exchange, exercise or conversion of such Securities, does not exceed, at the time of issuance of such Securities, the authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be.
Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications set forth herein, in our opinion:
1. With respect to any shares of Common Stock to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (including any shares of Common Stock duly issued upon the exchange, exercise or conversion of Securities that are exchangeable or exercisable for, or convertible into, Common Stock), when (a) the issuance of such shares of Common Stock has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and (b) such shares of Common Stock have been duly issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Common Stock) as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the Base Prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any applicable purchase, underwriting, sales, or similar agreement, and such corporate action, such shares of Common Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
2. With respect to any shares of Preferred Stock to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (including any shares of Preferred Stock duly issued upon the exchange, exercise or conversion of Securities that are exchangeable or exercisable for, or convertible into, Preferred Stock), when (a) a series of Preferred Stock has been duly established in accordance with the terms of the Certificate and applicable law, and authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, (b) the relative rights, preferences and limitations of such series of Preferred Stock have been designated by all necessary corporate action of the Company and set forth in a Certificate of Designation or amendment to the Certificate properly filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, (c) the issuance of such shares of Preferred Stock has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, (d) such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor (not less than the par value of the Preferred Stock) as contemplated by the Registration Statement, Base Prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement, any applicable Documents and such corporate action, and (e) if such shares of Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of Common Stock, such shares of Common Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action of the Company, such shares of Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
3. With respect to any series of Debt Securities to be offered by the Company pursuant to the Registration Statement (including any Debt Securities duly issued upon conversion, exchange or exercise of any other Debt Securities, Preferred Stock or Warrants), when (a) the applicable Indenture and any supplemental indentures have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and the Trustee and have been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, (b) the specific terms of a particular series of Debt Securities have been duly established in accordance with such Indenture and any supplemental indentures and applicable law, (c) such Debt Securities have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company, duly authenticated by the Trustee and duly executed, issued and delivered against payment of the consideration therefor in accordance with such Indenture and any supplemental indentures and any applicable purchase, underwriting, sales or similar agreement and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, Base Prospectus, any applicable Prospectus Supplement, any applicable Documents and such corporate action, and (d) if such Debt Securities are convertible into shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock, such shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action of the Company and in accordance with the applicable Indenture and any supplemental indentures, such Debt Securities will constitute binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of
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reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
4. When (a) the Warrant Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Warrants has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Warrant Agent and the Company;, (b) the specific terms of the Warrants have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Warrant Agreement; and (c) such Warrants have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Warrant Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, and (d) the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock subject to purchase under such Warrants have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action of the Company and in accordance with the Warrant Agreement,such Warrants will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
5. When (a) the Rights Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Rights has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Rights Agent and the Company, (b) the specific terms of the Rights have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Rights Agreement, (c) such Rights have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Rights Agreement and the applicable Documents and underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, and (d) the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock subject to purchase under such Rights Agreement (if any) have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action of the Company and in accordance with the Rights Agreement, such Rights will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
6. When (a) the Unit Agreement to be entered into in connection with the issuance of any Units has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Unit Agent and the Company, (b) the specific terms of the Units have been duly authorized and established in accordance with the Unit Agreement, and (c) such Units have been duly authorized, executed, issued and delivered in accordance with the Unit Agreement and the applicable underwriting or other agreement against payment therefor, and (d) the shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock subject to purchase under such Units (if any) have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by all necessary corporate action of the Company and in accordance with the Unit Agreement, such Units will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally, concepts of reasonableness and equitable principles of general applicability, and may be subject to possible judicial or regulatory actions giving effect to governmental actions or foreign laws affecting creditors’ rights.
The foregoing opinions are subject to the additional qualifications that we express no opinion as to (i) waivers of defenses, subrogation and related rights, rights to trial by jury, rights to object to venue, or other rights or benefits bestowed by operation of law, (ii) releases or waivers of unmatured claims or rights or (iii) provisions for liquidated damages and penalties, penalty interest and interest on interest.
We do not express any opinion herein on any laws other than the law of the State of New York and the Delaware General Corporation Law.
We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Registration Statement. We also hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading “Legal Matters” in the Base Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission.
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This opinion letter is rendered as of the date first written above, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. Our opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth above, and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the Charter Documents, the Securities, or the Registration Statement.
Very truly yours, /s/ Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP | ||||||||
SHEPPARD, MULLIN, RICHTER & HAMPTON LLP | ||||||||
Exhibit 23.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 23, 2026, relating to the financial statements of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) and the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of the Company for the year ended December 28, 2025. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
San Diego, California
February 26, 2026