Canaccord analyst Ken Herbert said the Q1 results from Kratos Defense support higher confidence in the execution capabilities as well as top-line upside. He noted the highlight in the quarter was the strong performance of the KUSD segment and the company maintained its full year guidance. Herbert reiterated his Buy rating and $15 price target on Kratos Defense shares.

Raymond James analyst Brian Gesuale upgraded Kratos Defense to Strong Buy from Outperform with a price target of $27, up from $20. Drones and air defense demand has accelerated with the ongoing and escalating conflicts globally, the analyst tells investors in a research note. The firm says drone and loitering munitions adoption has accelerated "well beyond the theater of operations" given the success of Switchblade and other technologies in the field. It believes we are in the very early stages of a generational upgrade to air defense systems globally.