Global markets are being pulled around by energy prices, shifting rate expectations and patchy growth data, and that mix is keeping attention on sectors tied to government spending and long-term contracts. Aerospace and defense companies sit right in the middle of this context, supplying hardware and services that governments typically treat as essential, whatever the cycle. This screener focuses on businesses linked to those activities, helping you filter a broad universe down to a focused set of stocks. In this article, you will see three stocks from the Aerospace And Defense screener that stand out for closer research.

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Firefly Aerospace (FLY)

Overview: Firefly Aerospace is a US space and defense company that provides launch, spacecraft, software and sensor solutions for national security, government and commercial customers, covering everything from small launch vehicles to lunar delivery and on orbit services. Its products include the Alpha and Eclipse rockets, Blue Ghost lunar landers, Elytra orbital vehicles and the Ocula lunar imaging service.

Operations: Firefly generates all of its US$184.9 million in revenue from aerospace and defense activities in the United States.

Market Cap: US$5.1b

Firefly Aerospace gives you exposure to the growing demand for launch and in space services, backed by contracts with NASA, the Department of Defense and the US Space Force, including rapid launch missions and the NASA MoonFall subcontract worth US$75 million. Revenue growth of 70.7% over the past year and forecast growth above 20% align with this expansion. However, the company is still loss making, with widened net losses in Q1 2026 and funding heavily reliant on external borrowing and fresh equity offerings that can dilute shareholders. Management experience, government ties and a broadened Texas production footprint support potential scale, yet continued unprofitability and a high P/S multiple mean investors need to weigh the growth story against real cash flow and valuation risks.

Firefly’s rapid revenue expansion and government backlog look exciting, but the real story is how that growth compares with its P/S and cash burn in the DCF valuation analysis for Firefly Aerospace

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions (KTOS)

Overview: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions is a defense technology company that supplies unmanned aerial systems, hypersonic and rocket systems, satellite ground software, secure communications and training systems to US and allied defense and national security customers worldwide.

Operations: Kratos generates US$311.5 million from its Unmanned Systems segment and US$1.1b from Kratos Government Solutions, with revenue primarily tied to US government and defense related work.

Market Cap: US$10.8b

Kratos sits at the heart of rising demand for affordable drones, hypersonics and satellite ground systems, backed by a record opportunity pipeline, recent guidance raises and Q1 2026 revenue of about US$371 million. Earnings momentum is strong and analysts expect faster growth than the broader US market, yet the stock trades on a rich P/S, margins remain modest at a 2.1% net profit margin and future ROE projections are low. Taken together with heavy reliance on US defense budgets, insider selling and shareholder dilution, this is a growth story that carries notable execution and valuation risk. Investors following the defense and unmanned systems theme may want to study Kratos more closely before deciding how it fits their portfolio.

Kratos looks like a stock where affordable drones and hypersonics are starting to scale, but the rich P/S and modest margins raise questions. Get the fuller story in the 2 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

RTX (RTX)

Overview: RTX is a large aerospace and defense company that supplies aircraft engines, avionics, cabin systems and aftermarket services through Pratt & Whitney and Collins Aerospace, alongside radars, missiles and sensing systems through Raytheon for commercial airlines, aircraft manufacturers and government defense customers worldwide.

Operations: RTX generates about US$33.7b from Pratt & Whitney, US$30.6b from Collins Aerospace and US$28.6b from Raytheon, with smaller eliminations and other items reducing total reported revenue.

Market Cap: US$247.2b

RTX stands out in the screener because it combines a very large US$271b backlog and recent contract wins in radars and missile defense with improving profitability and a P/E that sits below the broader US Aerospace & Defense industry. Earnings have risen 57.7% over the past year and are forecast to keep growing at a single digit rate, helped by engine aftermarket work, higher defense demand and recent guidance upgrades. On the flip side, a high debt load, tariff exposure and engine cost risks mean results are sensitive to any setback in defense budgets or commercial aviation. For investors who want a global aerospace and defense leader with both upside and real risks to weigh, RTX is worth a closer look.

RTX’s massive US$271b backlog and lower P/E look like a powerful combo, but they may be masking a key twist in the story that shows up in the 4 key rewards and 2 important warning signs

These three stocks are only a starting point. The full screener surfaces 297 more Aerospace and Defense companies that carry their own compelling narratives and risk reward trade offs in the Aerospace And Defense screener. Use Simply Wall St to identify, filter and analyze the specific catalysts that matter to you, from contract pipelines to balance sheet strength, so you can focus on the highest conviction ideas in this space.

Take Control of Your Investment Journey

If Kratos Defense & Security Solutions or any of these companies have caught your attention, register for FREE with Simply Wall St and add your companies to a Watchlist to monitor the share price against the fair value and track any new developments as they happen. Once you've made your move, manage your holdings with our Portfolio Command Center that filters out the noise to deliver only the most critical, actionable updates. Throughout your journey, our Community allows you to filter the best ideas from thousands of investor perspectives. By uncovering hidden catalysts and risks early, you'll accelerate your decision-making and stay one step ahead of the market.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.