Q4 2025 York Space Systems Inc Earnings Call
Speaker #1: In full year 2025 earnings call. After today's prepared remarks, we will host a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad.
Speaker #1: To withdraw your question, press again. I will now hand the call over to Christopher Evandon. Vice President of Investor Relations. Please go ahead.
Speaker #2: Hello everyone, and welcome to York Space Systems' fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings call. With me on the line are Dirk Wallinger, our CEO, and Kevin Messelet, our CFO.
Speaker #2: Please note that our earnings press release is available at ir.yorkspacesystems.com. In addition, we have posted an earnings presentation to accompany our prepared remarks on the same website.
Speaker #2: Lastly, after the call, we will post a transcript of our prepared remarks and an audio replay of this call. For those listening to the rebroadcast of this call, we remind you that the remarks made herein are as of today, Thursday, March the 19th, 2026, and have not been updated subsequent to this call.
Speaker #2: During this call, we will refer to certain non-GAAP measures, a reconciliation of these measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures can be found in our earnings press release.
Speaker #2: We will also make statements that are considered forward-looking, including those outlook, future growth prospects, backlog, growth of market share, growth strategy, capabilities, and future health of our spacecraft.
Speaker #2: Listeners are cautioned that our forward-looking statements involve certain assumptions and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that can cause our actual results to differ materially from our current expectations.
Speaker #2: We advise listeners to review the risk factors and other discussions included. In our prospectus filed with the SEC on January the 30th, 2026, and in our subsequent reports filed with the SEC, including our upcoming annual report on Form 10-K for the year 2025.
Speaker #2: After the completion of our prepared remarks, we will open the call for questions. Now, I'll turn the call over to Dirk.
Speaker #3: Thanks, Chris. Hello and welcome to York's fourth quarter and full year 2025 earnings call. I appreciate you all taking the time, and I'm happy to be speaking with you.
Speaker #3: 2025 marked an inflection point in our business. We grew revenue by 52% year over year, and we exited the year with clear line of sight to profitability in 2026.
Speaker #3: Kevin will get to the details of that in a moment. Our financial results are a reflection of the business milestones we reached during the year.
Speaker #3: Given this is our first earnings call, I will provide some context on how we got here. I founded York in 2012 with one purpose: to disrupt the traditional space industry.
Speaker #3: At that time, it was an era of multibillion-dollar satellites built over decade-long timelines, and it was clear to me that if the United States continued on this path, we'd lose the second space race to our adversaries.
Speaker #3: We needed the ability to design, build, and deploy large constellations of satellites on significantly accelerated timelines. That meant transforming how we manufacture, launch, and operate satellites, shifting from bespoke programs to a fully industrialized model.
Speaker #3: That's exactly what York was built to do and what we've been executing on since 2012. As the mission prime, we own the full satellite lifecycle from design and manufacturing through launch, operations, and sustainment.
Speaker #3: Our multi-platform approach is built around a standardized, modular family of spacecraft that range from 200 to more than 2,000 kilograms. We architect our platforms as integrated systems, combining flight-proven hardware with proprietary flight and mission operations software.
Speaker #3: That integrated software hardware approach is designed to allow us to seamlessly coordinate across three different operations centers, task across our global network of close to 50 antennas, and procure and integrate launch services.
Speaker #3: Executing is the mission prime, enables us to monetize the full mission lifecycle and maintain control over most of the aspects required to execute our vision.
Speaker #3: That integrated approach is what has set York apart and what has enabled us to deliver reliably, at speed, and scale. 2025 saw us deliver on that founding vision.
Speaker #3: We launched 23 satellites into orbit in 2025 alone. We emerged as a leading provider of the Department of Defense's proliferated warfighter space architecture, measured by spacecraft on orbit, number of contracts, and mission types.
Speaker #3: We acquired a global ground station network and software-defined operations platform, effectively eliminating ground communication bottlenecks to support our end-to-end mission architecture. And we fine-tuned our industrialized production process with every satellite we build.
Speaker #3: We've achieved multiple technical feats, including in-plane, cross-vendor, and space-to-ground optical laser communications, York demonstrated K-band connectivity, orbit maneuvering, and remains the only provider ever to demonstrate Link 16 from space to ground.
Speaker #3: Together, these demonstrations validate our ability to integrate advanced capabilities into cohesive, secure architectures designed to meet the evolving needs of the warfighter. These milestones reflect years of deliberate execution and sustained intentional investment.
Speaker #3: From the outset, we've aligned every major decision around enabling the rapid, cost-effective production and operation of satellite constellations, critical to U.S. mission success. With U.S.
Speaker #3: government demand accelerating rapidly, we are positioned to deliver at scale. Our IPO strengthened our capital base and operational flexibility, enabling us to accelerate execution and further extend our lead over competitors.
Speaker #3: Now, I'd like to highlight the 2025 achievements that we expect to have the biggest impact on our future. Most significantly, on September 10th, we launched 21 satellites for the Department of Defense.
Speaker #3: This low-earth orbit constellation is designed to provide secure, resilient communications and data transport for U.S. and allied warfighters. We delivered our satellites to orbit one month ahead of our nearest competitor, and we confirmed the health of all spacecraft within hours of launch separation, through our own classified mission operations center here in Denver.
Speaker #3: We are excited about the launch of our second plane of satellites for Tranche One. These spacecraft were the first operational communication satellites in orbit for the PWSA, and we understand they will play a key role in communications infrastructure, underpinning America's next-generation of space-based defense systems.
Speaker #3: Our multi-platform approach enables us to execute across nearly every golden dome mission set, including communications, signals intelligence, remote proximity operations, Earth observation, synthetic aperture radar, and visible imaging.
Speaker #3: RS-class platform launched in 2018 and has flown across multiple missions and constellations, establishing a repeatable flight-proven foundation. We expanded that architecture with our LX-class platform, which shares approximately 80% of its hardware and nearly all of its software with the S-class.
Speaker #3: That design commonality validated our manufacturing model, and reinforces the strength of our integrated hardware and software ecosystem. Building on that foundation, we introduced our largest M-class platform in 2025, extending the same core architecture to support payloads in excess of 8 kilowatts of power.
Speaker #3: By leveraging the same flight-proven hardware and software stack, M-class enables us to scale into higher-power mission sets without redesigning the underlying system. This significantly broadens our addressable market across national security, civil, and commercial markets.
Speaker #3: As part of our plan to continue expanding our share of the market, I am happy to share that we recently finalized a $187 million commercial contract for a 20-plus satellite constellation built on the M-class platform.
Speaker #3: This is our fifth commercial contract, and the first constellation of a series of constellations for this customer. Our platform, in turn, key ecosystem approach is designed to lower costs, streamline, and de-risk procurement, accelerate build times, and significantly reduce capital intensity.
Speaker #3: Recognizing that ground infrastructure is foundational to proliferated architectures, we acquired Atlas Space Operations in the third quarter of 2025. As proliferated constellations scale, ground infrastructure becomes a critical constraint.
Speaker #3: The pressure is particularly acute when dozens of satellites are deployed simultaneously at launch and require rapid checkout and orbital phasing. As was the case with our numerous constellation launches.
Speaker #3: By bringing Atlas into our ecosystem, we expanded our global ground network, reduced dependency on constrained third-party capacity, and reinforced our integrated end-to-end mission model.
Speaker #3: Enhancing space-to-ground resilience. Atlas was essential in enabling us to confirm the health of 21 satellites launched in September quickly. As a wholly owned subsidiary, Atlas will continue to operate independently under its existing brand, serving its diverse portfolio of customers across the industry.
Speaker #3: Another key mission in 2025 was Dragoon. Launched in June, Dragoon is notable because we went from contract execution to orbit in just seven months.
Speaker #3: A $75% reduction in delivery timeline versus a typical 30-month program. York was approached with an identified agency need and we then reallocated a satellite in production to this mission.
Speaker #3: We integrated a completely new capability and delivered the spacecraft in orbit successfully. York is probably one of maybe two providers which have demonstrated this ability.
Speaker #3: Another milestone in 2025 was our commercially procured communications mission for NASA. The BARD mission, developed in collaboration with NASA Space Communications and Navigations Program, and the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory executed more than 100 on-orbit communication activities.
Speaker #3: BARD successfully demonstrated forward and return link connectivity to NASA's tracking and data relay satellite system. Validating interoperability across multiple commercial K-band relay networks. These demonstrations confirmed the feasibility of seamless roaming between government and commercial communication services.
Speaker #3: BARD is an important opportunity as a potential pathfinder for modernizing NASA's legacy TDRIS architecture into a proliferated LEO network, such a transition would expand connectivity, reduce latency, and enable faster commercial-based technology refresh cycles, while preserving compatibility for existing users and unlocking new mission capabilities.
Speaker #3: We anticipate the BARD mission to be extended to address an expanded series of demonstrations. Further showcasing our large customer base and wide mission capabilities.
Speaker #3: In addition to our mission execution, we also strengthened our strategic position in January by going public. Our decision to go public was grounded in long-term strategy and informed by a clear assessment of market timing and growth trajectory.
Speaker #3: The capital we've raised provides us flexibility to seek opportunities to grow our TAM through M&A, and adjacent market products, grow inventory to provide unmatched scheduled deliveries, expand the manufacturing advantage we currently have over our competitors, and scale our network ecosystem.
Speaker #3: Our recent acquisition of Orbium Space Technologies is a good example of the first point. Orbium is a Michigan-based manufacturer of flight-proven electrical propulsion systems that has already delivered at scale for York missions.
Speaker #3: Acquiring the company helps
Speaker #1: Helps us reduce supply chain risk , which improves schedule certainty and enables us to align our technology roadmaps with the growing constellation . Scale demands across the sector Similar to Atlas , Aubin will continue to operate as a wholly owned US subsidiary of York , serving customers across the broad space industry .
Speaker #1: Both acquisitions reinforce our deliberate strategy to integrate critical mission capabilities across York's space system . Propulsion ground operations and end to end mission execution Future M&A may address strategic elements of the supply chain .
Speaker #1: Some may help us grow our Tam . Some may do both The second use of proceeds will be to build inventory of our satellite platforms .
Speaker #1: We demonstrated the velocity of our manufacturing process in September by being first to orbit for the . PwC tranche one contract . We demonstrated we can reduce in-orbit delivery by up to 75% with inventory spacecraft , and we are one of the very few in the industry with proven platforms mature enough in their lifecycle to provide this capability .
Speaker #1: This presents a significant strategic competitive advantage and can also enable us to recognize revenue on accelerated schedules . Our time to orbit was already at differentiator when we built through over a decade of manufacturing satellites , but we believe the ability to leverage existing platform inventory provides a step function improvement .
Speaker #1: Further widening the gap between us and our competitors Demand signals are very encouraging . The government is currently re-engaging , and the Pentagon is moving quickly to execute their missions .
Speaker #1: We believe there is a clear understanding across the government that the global threat environment is deteriorating and that investment in space domain awareness , missile defense connectivity and counterspace capabilities are essential to America's security .
Speaker #1: Proliferated architectures have become the preferred approach for resiliency and fight through capability . We are also seeing a pronounced push to diversify supplier bases in other areas of the market as cost and speed take on greater importance , especially as proliferation is only feasible if satellites can be made affordably enough to deploy in large quantities York's 2025 performance metrics validate the mission I set when I founded the company from day one .
Speaker #1: Our goal has been to serve as a mission Prime for proliferated systems Today , we built the foundation Scalable Satellite Manufacturing , a unified software stack across platforms , and an integrated space terrestrial ecosystem Today , York is executing at scale across national security and commercial missions , with 33 satellites currently on orbit .
Speaker #1: Mission operations centers supporting five active missions and two operational constellations . We are preparing for our eighth launch overall , which will see another 21 York satellites reach orbit on a fully dedicated launch vehicle for the second time .
Speaker #1: We are executing on our 12th contract and advancing work on our sixth constellation contract , underscoring York's ability to deliver repeated , reliable performance across multiple programs while continuing to scale production and mission execution capacity .
Speaker #1: York's proven mass production cadence demonstrates its strong competitive advantages , enabling the company to field multiple flight proven platforms with decades of flight , heritage demonstrated on our performance and the ability to deliver fully populated launches at scale Our latest commercial constellation contract win further demonstrates York's ability to win across numerous markets and customers .
Speaker #1: For all these reasons , we believe York is well positioned to meet the evolving needs of the United States government and commercial customers , and with that , I'll hand the call over to Kevin Thanks , Dirk .
Speaker #1: As Dirk said , 2025 was a transformative year for York . By successfully delivering on a broad set of contracts , we were able to significantly grow revenue and take significant strides towards profitability .
Speaker #1: Revenue for the year was 386.2 million , up $132.7 million , or 52% , on the prior year Substantially all of our revenue derives from long term fixed firm price contracts and is recognized using a percentage of completion method .
Speaker #1: We believe this approach most accurately tracks the business , and it provides generally a steady progression of revenue throughout a program . Year on year growth in revenue was primarily driven by increased completion against two of our transport layer , tranche two contracts .
Speaker #1: Gross margin percentage , which includes allocated labor overheads and DNA , was 20% , up seven percentage points year on year , improved mix as newer programs became a larger part of the whole and a reduction in negative EC adjustments Eek is estimated at completion and is our estimate of final program costs and margins .
Speaker #1: We have built cross-functional teams at York that reevaluate these on a program by program basis . Every quarter Turning to operating expenses . While our revenues increased 52% year on year , are sG&A plus R&D expenses only increased 8% for the same period ?
Speaker #1: We also incurred approximately $12.1 million of one time transaction costs associated with our M&A program , as well as IPO related professional fees .
Speaker #1: The ability to scale our revenue , while tightly controlling expenses , is the primary driver of our improvement in adjusted EBITDA from 2024 to 2025 , and we expect that trend to continue through 2026 .
Speaker #1: On the operations front , we had 710 employees at the end of the quarter , of whom almost 75% are directly involved in the design and manufacture of satellites or delivery of mission services Just to touch on our liquidity , as of December 31st , 2025 , our cash and cash equivalents were 162.6 million and availability under our revolving facility was $150 million for total liquidity of 312.6 million .
Speaker #1: On January 30th , 2026 , we completed our IPO of 18.5 million shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $34 per share .
Speaker #1: We received net proceeds of $582.6 million , net of underwriting discounts and commissions , and offering costs , bringing our total liquidity . At January 31st to 895.2 million .
Speaker #1: We make use of a number of non-GAAP metrics to inform our management of the business and to give investors insight into our core business drivers .
Speaker #1: These include contribution , margin and adjusted EBITDA . We define contribution margin as revenue , less material costs Historically , 85 to 90% of our direct costs for our program , excluding overhead allocations and DNA , have been material costs So it is incredibly important for us to price our contracts at a healthy margin above our single largest cost , material cost .
Speaker #1: We target a 35% contribution margin on all new business contribution margin in 2025 was 32% , and increase of two percentage points from 2020 four's 30% .
Speaker #1: We don't disclose program level margins , but I will broadly say that margins on our newer programs have been quite a bit higher than our older programs .
Speaker #1: We attribute this improvement to our increased ability to project material costs based on years of experience with actual production runs , together with a more rigorous pricing process that includes the use of appropriate management to further reduce margin risk .
Speaker #1: Just as we operate under firm fixed price contracts , we largely hold our suppliers to the same We grew contribution margin dollars by 47,000,000 in 20 25 to 122 million , an increase of 63% .
Speaker #1: Loss per share was $0.89 for the year Capital expenditures for 2025 were 8.9 million as compared to 18,000,000 in 2024 . As Dirk touched on in his remarks , our manufacturing process is highly flexible and very efficient , and this has enabled us to keep CapEx very low by the standards of the industry Turning briefly to the quarter , revenue for Q4 was 105 million , up 38% on Q4 2024 .
Speaker #1: Gross profit margin was 20% , operating expenses were 38.2 million . Contribution margin was 33% and adjusted EBITDA was -1.4 million , up from the -4 million last year Looking ahead , we expect revenue for the year to be in the range of 545 to 595 million , up 48% year over year .
Speaker #1: At the midpoint , over 70% of this is expected to come from our existing backlog , with the remainder anticipated to come from new business in the back half of the year .
Speaker #1: With regards to new business , our current expectation is for government contracts to start to be awarded towards the middle of the year , and our intends to compete strongly for them .
Speaker #1: And now I'll hand it back over to the operator for questions Operator
Speaker #2: We will now begin the question and answer session Please limit yourself to one question and one follow up . If you would like to ask a question , please press star one on your telephone keypad to withdraw your question , press star one again , please pick up your handset .
Speaker #2: When asking a question If you are muted locally , please remember to unmute your device Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster Your first question comes from the line of John Gooden of Citi .
Speaker #2: Your line is open . Please go ahead .
Speaker #3: A it I wanted to there are a few things to follow up on , but I guess the one that I'll focus on is this acquisition or maybe you could just talk a little bit more about that , how it came about , what the terms were and I was curious if this was the deal that was contemplated in the S-1 .
Speaker #3: There was a note in the S-1 about , you know , a letter of intent for for an acquisition . Was this that or was it was it a different one ?
Speaker #1: Yeah , sure . Happy to , happy to dive into that one a little bit . Thanks , John . I appreciate the question .
Speaker #1: Yes , it is the acquisition that we are contemplating from the S-1 . We're really excited about . Erbium for a few different reasons .
Speaker #1: You know , we've launched a good amount of satellites at this point . We've worked with a wide range of propulsion providers . Orbeon was really a clear winner as far as their ability to execute , their ability to perform their their hardware has performed really well in orbit .
Speaker #1: It's a really great team to work with . So we're excited about bringing that on . And it kind of goes to the vision of , you know , when we were doing the IPO , right , we we spoke about the four different things that we were going to do and how we're going to go on offense .
Speaker #1: And one of those was , was some inorganic associated with bringing great technologies kind of in-house . So we could align technology roadmap , kind of give them a better vision of where the market was headed , where we were headed , so that they could be more successful in developing those products .
Speaker #1: Kind of right out the gate . And that kind of communications is going to be critical because , you know , we're already a leader as far as cost and schedule go .
Speaker #1: But with Orbeon with us now , we'll be able to align that technology roadmap , give them assurance of the kind of size of production cadence they're going to need in the coming years , so that they'll be really prepared to deliver for us .
Speaker #1: And so they've been a phenomenal performer for us for years now . And so we think this will make them an even better performer for us and the rest of the market as well .
Speaker #1: So they will they will continue to execute as a wholly owned subsidiary
Speaker #3: That's fantastic . And do you guys are you willing to give us a sense of how much revenue that's contributing to this year ?
Speaker #3: And then just on M&A in general , are there any other acquisitions contemplated that that we should be aware of ? Thanks .
Speaker #1: Yeah . Kevin , correct me if I'm wrong . I mean , I don't think that we're breaking out them individually , right ?
Speaker #1: I think it's we're going to still report at the top level , right ? Yeah . That's right . We're we're not issuing specific guidance .
Speaker #1: John , on or own , but we can confirm that it's included in our consolidated guidance figure and to the latter question about , you know , additional M&A .
Speaker #1: I mean , you know , I do I do think there's some opportunity for some additional M&A . I think , you know , people in the industry and in the segment kind of see what we're doing .
Speaker #1: They're very excited about it . They want to be a part of it . And so , you know , there'll be some other things where like orbeon , they make sense , right ?
Speaker #1: They're the best technologies . It will help us continue to drive down costs even further and make that advantage that we have larger .
Speaker #1: But then also kind of align that so that our schedules continue to be the best , best in the sector . So I think there could be some more opportunity for that .
Speaker #1: And there's also opportunities where , you know , we might start to look at kind of adjacent markets and things like that .
Speaker #3: Perfect . Thanks , guys
Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Seth Seifman of JP Morgan . Your line is open . Please go ahead .
Speaker #4: Hey , thanks very much . And good afternoon . I wanted to start off talking about some of the opportunities for for new business that you mentioned coming up later in the year .
Speaker #4: Is it some of the , the Golden Dome opportunities moving maybe to the left of , of initial initial expectations for 2027 ? Is that in the intelligence community , is it , is it an X tracking layer ?
Speaker #4: And what are the prospects to exit this year with , you know , a backlog that's bigger than than where it is now
Speaker #1: Well , yeah , I mean , I think that we feel pretty great about that , Seth . So I appreciate the question .
Speaker #1: You know , I , I thought that pretty exciting part of the call was where we mentioned that we just won a new constellation for our M class for a commercial customer , 20 plus constellation .
Speaker #1: It's the first constellation of many planned for this customer . So I thought that was an exciting part . I thought that that would add to the backlog , but so , you know , obviously that's pretty exciting for us as well as , you know , general guideline is kind of attested to and been a more public in general with regard to Golden Dome and national defense , just in general .
Perfect. Thanks guys.
Speaker #1: I mean , it's got , you know , everyone focuses on the name Golden Dome , but the reality is it's national defense , right ?
Your next question comes from the line of Sethman of JP Morgan. Your line is open. Please go ahead.
Speaker #1: So independent of what it's called , he's spoken a lot more about the , the absolute need to lower the cost to move faster and then to leverage existing acquisition vehicles .
Speaker #1: We checked the box on all three of those . And so I think that's why we're starting to see a little bit more come out about national defense .
Speaker #1: And Golden Dome . What that's going to be . I can't go into any more details right now other than to say that it's a late breaking news that we have not one one , but we've won two ID , IQ contracts now for different classified customers .
Hey um, thanks very much and uh, get get a good afternoon. Um, I wanted to start off talking about some of the opportunities for for new business that you mentioned coming. Um, later in the year is it some of the, the golden dome opportunities moving, maybe to the left of of additional uh initial expectations for 2027? Is it in the intelligence Community? Is it, is it the next tracking layer and and what are the prospects to exit this year with um, you know, a backlog that's bigger than than where it is now?
Speaker #1: So , you know , on this call alone , we have not only our healthy backlog and our ability to convert that , that backlog into revenue , which which Kevin reported on .
Speaker #1: We've won a new commercial contract for the first of many constellations for our M-class . And then we have one now one , two ID IQs for different classified customers .
Speaker #1: So we feel very bullish about the position that we're in . I think generally though , I mean , just as a commentary , you're not going to hear a ton about Golden Dome general guideline has been pretty clear that most of the work is going to be classified .
Speaker #1: And that's kind of what we're seeing right ? Where we're seeing contracts being awarded on the classified side of things . So I'd be happy to talk more about those contracts that that we've won for the different classified customers .
Well, yeah, I mean, I I think that we feel pretty great about that. Seth, so I appreciate the question. Um, you know, I, I thought the pretty exciting part of the call was where we mentioned that. We just won a new constellation for our mclass, for a commercial, customer, uh, 20 plus constellation. Uh, it's the first constellation of many plans for this customer. Uh, so I thought that was an exciting part. I thought that that would add to the backlog. But um, so you know, obviously that's pretty exciting for us as well. Uh, as you know, General good line is it's kind of a tested too and been a more public uh in general with regard to golden dome and
Speaker #1: But that'll be kind of coming in the next few weeks as we as we kind of sketch those out in a little bit more detail and what we're allowed to discuss and what we're not .
Speaker #1: So we're still working on that . But hopefully that gives you more insight . I mean , I think that we're in a pretty bullish position with our performance and our ability to , you know , just between IPO and now , we've already added quite a bit more to the backlog .
Speaker #1: So I think we feel like we're in a good position and we're gonna execute like we always do .
Speaker #4: Yeah . Excellent . Excellent . Maybe to follow up then on the commercial win there , I guess , you know , the pieces of the of the Tam that you guys have laid out in the past were pretty national security , security oriented .
Speaker #4: So how do we think about that commercial piece coming into it and how , you know , maybe the size of that relative to , to the other pieces of the Tam and , and , you know , how significant that could get within your mix ?
Speaker #1: Yeah . I mean , I feel . You know , focus historically has been on national defense , but that's mostly because , you know , the reality is that's where the dollars were .
National Defense just in general. I mean we it's got, you know, everyone focuses on the name golden dome, but the reality is it's it's National Defense, right? So independent of what it's called, uh, he's spoken a lot more about the, the absolute need to lower the cost to move faster. Uh, and then to leverage existing acquisition Vehicles, we we check the box on all 3 of those. And so I think that's why we're starting to see a little bit more come out about National Defense and golden dome. What that's going to be. Um, I, I can't go into any more details right now. Other than to say that it's a, a late breaking news that we have not won 1, but we won 2 IDI contracts. Now for different classified customers. So, you know, on this call alone, we have not only our healthy backlog and our ability to convert that that backlog into Revenue, which which Kevin reported on. Uh, we've won a new commercial contract for the first of many constellations for our mclass. Uh, and then we have 1 Now 1 2 ID IQs for different, classified customers. So we feel very bullish about the position.
Speaker #1: That's where the contracts were . So we won the contracts that were available to us . And we did a very good job on them .
Speaker #1: And then executing on them as well . And so that success led to led to more contracts . So , you know , we're happy , happy with that .
Speaker #1: But I'm very I'm more and more bullish every day on what commercial can do . You know , unfortunately we can't disclose who that customer is right now .
Speaker #1: But I'm very excited about the mission and what they're doing . It's very much aligned with with the trends that we're seeing today .
That we're in. Uh I think generally though I mean just as a commentary you're not going to hear a ton about golden dome. Uh General good line has been pretty clear that most of the work is going to be classified. And that's kind of what we're seeing right where we're seeing contracts being awarded on the classified side of things. So I'd be happy to talk more about uh, those contracts that that we've won, uh, for the different classes like customers. But that'll be kind of coming in the next few weeks as we, as we, um, kind of sketch those out in a little bit more detail and what, what we're allowed to discuss and what we're not. So, we're still working on that, but
Speaker #1: And also what I think we're going to see is a lot more growth in this area . Really , you know , traditionally commercial has kind of struggled with kind of getting that that kind of total gravity , I guess , for lack of a better term .
Hopefully, that gives you more insight. I mean, I think that we're in a pretty bullish position with our performance and our ability. You know, just between IPO and now, we've already added quite a bit more to the backlog. So I think we feel like we're in a good position, and we're going to execute like Wheelers do.
Speaker #1: On , you know , really garnering the attention it needs and the dollars it needs to really be at scale . But we're really seeing that shift .
Speaker #1: We're also seeing this administration say that they want to leverage more commercial , which obviously encourages investment in it as well . So I'm in hopes this is the first of many .
Speaker #1: I mean , I know for this customer alone , this is the first of many in the constellations that they're going to deliver to orbit .
Speaker #1: So we're obviously very happy to to be in the position with that . But I think in general , commercial , we're just going to see more and more .
Yeah, excellent. Excellent. Maybe to follow up then, uh, on on the the commercial, uh, win there. I guess, you know, the, the pieces of the, of the Tam that you guys have laid out in the past were were pretty national security security oriented. Um, so so how do we think about that commercial piece coming into it? Uh, and and how, you know, maybe the size of that relative, to to the other pieces of the Tam and and you know how, uh, significant that could get within your mix.
Speaker #1: The nice part is , is you kind of have a giant surge in national defense , right ? Which , which is a great market for us .
Speaker #1: And we're now , you know , showing some pretty significant diversity in customer base on that front . And then to have some , some big commercial wins is really great too .
Speaker #1: So I think both markets are going to surge . Obviously , I think that we're in a good position to win that work .
Speaker #1: We just got to continue to execute as we have been deliver at scale . And I think both of those markets are going to see a healthy growth for for many years to come .
Speaker #1: No one's saying we need less satellites in the future .
Speaker #3: Excellent .
Speaker #4: Excellent . Thanks very much
Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Peter Arment of Baird . Your line is open . Please go ahead .
Yeah, I mean, I feel, you know, Focus historically has been on National Defense, but that's mostly because because, you know, the reality is, that's where the dollar is for, that's where the contracts were. So we won the contracts that were available to us. Uh, and, and we did a very good job on them and then executing on them as well. Uh, and so that's success. Let's let's do more contracts. So you know, we're happy, happy with that but I'm very I'm more and more bullish every day on what commercial can do? Uh, you know, unfortunately, we can't disclose who that customer is right now. But I'm very excited about the mission and what they're doing. It's very much aligned, um, with with the trends that we're seeing today. And and and also, what I think we're going to see is a lot more growth in this area. Um, really, you know, traditionally uh, commercial has kind of struggled with kind of getting that that kind of to
Speaker #5: Hey . Good afternoon . Good afternoon . Kevin and Dirk . Thanks for your time . Hey , Dirk . Just maybe just to circle back a little bit on on your comments about kind of Golden dome slash , you know , the national , national defense contracts has there , we're dealing with a lot of investors are kind of very focused on if there's been a material change in what you view the p w a kind of architecture is I was wondering if you could just maybe shed light .
Speaker #5: Do you view it to be materially changing or is it just morphing into the various classified versions of Golden Dome ? Just any insight would be helpful .
Speaker #5: Thanks
Speaker #1: I think it's along the lines of what you said in the latter part there . So you know , look , if it's called poomsae , it's called space data network .
Speaker #1: If it's called Leo , you know , whatever the name is , the government is definitively moving towards it . And they're delivering contracts pretty quickly now out out to performers who are going to execute on this .
To be in the position with that but I I think in general commercial we're just going to see more and more. The ninth part is is you kind of have a giant surge in National Defense, right? Which which is a great market for us. And, and we're now, you know, showing some pretty significant diversity in customer base on that front and then, uh, to have some, some big commercial wins is, is really great too. So I think both markets are going to Surge. Um, obviously I think that we're in a good position to win that work, we just got to continue to execute as as we have been delivered at scale. Uh and I think both of those markets are going to see Healthy Growth for for many years to come.
Speaker #1: They need this executed really quickly . So I don't think it's about , you know , hey , does poomsae is that is that going away ?
No one's saying we need fewer satellites in the future.
Excellent, excellent. Thanks very much.
Speaker #1: Is that going away . There's nothing going away . Communications is not only absolutely critical for Golden Dome and missile defense and national defense in general .
Your next question comes from the line.
Speaker #1: It's it's the most important thing . Nothing else happens without communication . So I think it's more of there's definitely a realization that this is going to be the architecture of the future for the United States .
Your line is open, please go ahead. Hey, good afternoon, good afternoon, good afternoon, Kevin and, and, and Durk. Uh, thanks for your time. Hey, hey, hey, Derek. Just maybe, just to circle back a little bit on your comments about, uh, kind of Golden Dome slash, you know, the national...
Speaker #1: And if it is going to be the architecture for the United States , that it needs to be more coordinated . Right ? That's a general theme that we're hearing across anything , whether that's space , whether that's C land , air , it has to be more coordinated .
Speaker #1: So I think a lot of the shifts , quote unquote shifts , I guess that you're seeing in poomsae transport or , or milnet or what have you isn't really about .
National defense contracts have their—we're dealing with a lot of investors who are kind of very focused on if there’s been a material change in what you view the PWSA kind of architecture is. I was wondering if you could just maybe shed light on it—do you view it to be materially changing, or is it just morphing into the various classified versions of the Golden Dome? Just, any insight would be helpful. Thanks.
Speaker #1: Do we need this ? It is about we do need this . How are we going to get them to talk to one another ?
Speaker #1: And maybe we should look at that in more detail in that more before we continue on kind of separate , disparate paths , which is kind of what got us into the into the challenges the United States faces today is we have lots of amazing capabilities , but they're disparate and they don't talk to one another .
Speaker #1: So I think it's really more about that as , you know , whatever the name is , it doesn't matter . It's needed .
Speaker #1: I think it's just more about let's make sure that they're going to talk to one another because we've shot ourselves in a foot in the foot , like a couple times over this .
Speaker #1: So let's not do that anymore . I think it's really more about that . Like that's the mentality .
Speaker #5: Got it . That's helpful . Color and just it is exciting . Obviously with the new commercial win that you announced in February , could you maybe talk a little bit about expectations of delivery of those 20 plus satellites just over what timeline ?
Speaker #5: Thanks again
Speaker #1: Yeah . So , you know , T1 is is an operational system . And as such , the readiness of the system is , is controlled information .
I think it's along the lines of what you said in the latter part there. So, um, you know, look if it's called pwsa, if it's called spaced Data Network, uh, it's called T Leo. You know, whatever the name is, the government is definitively moving towards it, uh, and they're delivering contracts pretty quickly. Now, uh, out out to performers who are going to execute on this. They need this executed really quickly, so I, I don't think it's about, you know. Hey, does pwsa is that, is that going away? Is milnet going away? There there's nothing going away. Uh, Communications is not only absolutely critical for golden dome and missile defense. And, and National Defense in general, it's it's the most important thing, nothing else happens without communication. Uh, so I think it's more of, there's definitely a realization that this is going to be the architecture of the future for the United States. Uh, and if it is going to be the architecture for the United States that it needs to be more coordinated, right? That's a general theme that we're hearing.
Speaker #1: So I can't discuss actual launch date , but we are very far along on production . And I think shipping is , is imminent .
Speaker #1: I probably can't get any more specific than that .
Speaker #5: Got it . Congrats on that win . Thanks , Derek .
Speaker #1: Yeah . Thank you
Across anything, whether that's space, whether that's C land are, it has to be more coordinated. So, I think a lot of the shifts, quote, unquote shifts, I guess that you're seeing in pwsa transport or, or milnet, or what have you isn't really about, do we need this? It is about, we do need this, how are we going to get them to talk to 1 another and maybe we should look at that in more detail, in definitive that more uh, before we continue on, kind of separate disparate,
Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of David Strauss of Wells Fargo . Your line is open . Please go ahead
Speaker #6: Thanks . Good evening . Derek wanted to ask about in the in the fiscal 26 DoD budget , that was was passed , I think end of January or early February .
Speaker #6: There were still a whole bunch of tranche one and tranche two funding in there . So have you actually received all of the tranche one and tranche two funding ?
Pass, which is kind of what got us into the into the challenges of the United States. Bases today is we have lots of amazing capabilities but they're desperate. They don't talk to 1 another. So I think it's really more about that as you know, whatever the name is. Uh it doesn't matter, it's needed. Uh I think it's just more about. Let's make sure that they're going to talk to 1 another because we've shot ourselves in a foot in the foot like a couple times over this. So let's not do that anymore. I think it's really more about that. Like that's the mentality.
Speaker #6: Is that reflected in backlog today for you , or is there still a fair amount that funding that has to come through and be put in your backlog related to tranche one and tranche two ?
Got it. That's helpful, caller, and it is exciting. Obviously, with the new commercial and the announcement in February, could you maybe talk a little bit about expectations for delivery of those 20-plus satellites, just over what timeline? Thanks again.
Speaker #1: I believe it's all included in the backlog , but Kevin , maybe , you know , if you think I'm mistaken , you can speak up .
Speaker #7: That's right . Derek . What we report as backlog are our only exercised options . And the and only funded exercise options . So it's all our backlogs entirely funded
Yeah, so, um, you know, T1 isn't, uh, is an operational system. Uh, and as such, uh, the readiness of the system is controlled information. Um, so I can't discuss, you know, actual launch date. Um, but we are very far along on production, and I think shipping is—
Is.
Speaker #6: Okay . So even though even though that wasn't , you know , the funding wasn't passed until January , you know , after , you know , after the end of your , you know , 20 , 25 year that that's in the backlog or it isn't in the backlog
Eminent. I probably can't get any more specific than that.
Got it. Congrats on that one. Thanks, sir. Yeah, thank you.
Speaker #7: So let me , let me try it this way . So all of the programs that we're on , right , have funds appropriated for them .
Your next question comes from the line of David Strauss of Wells Fargo. Your line is open, please go ahead.
Thanks. Good evening. Um.
Speaker #7: And then just the way just to get into some of the nuances of how the , the government funding works is , yes , as we move into different fiscal years , they will then technically fund it , right ?
Derek wanted to ask about um in the in the fiscal 26 uh DOD budget, that was was passed and again to January early February, there were there were still a whole bunch of
Speaker #7: So the funding does come over time . I think the bigger point is that , you know , all these programs , you know , the money is budgeted and set aside for it .
TR 1 and TRON 2 funding in there. So have you actually received all of the Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 funding? Is that reflected in backlog today for you, or is there still a fair amount?
Speaker #7: But yes , there's a there is a technical sort of how the , you know , over time , the actual money moves technically to that program .
Speaker #7: So within our backlog , again , it's all exercise contracts or exercise options within those within those contracts , we don't include unexercised options .
I believe it's all included in the backlog, but Kevin, maybe, you know, if you think I'm mistaken, you can speak up. That—that's right, Derek. What we report as backlog are only exercised options.
Speaker #7: A lot of those are the right of launch ons portion . So that's not included in the backlog . And then to your point Things over time , when the funding actually moves , we don't move our backlog up and down .
Um, and the, and only funded exercised options. So it's all our backlog, entirely funded.
Speaker #7: By the by , the funding amount just because it's a very small portion . That's not funded . And we know that the funds are there .
Okay, so even though—even though that wasn't, you know, the funding wasn't passed until January, you know, after, you know, after the end of your, you know, uh, 2025 year, that—that's in the backlog, or it isn't in the backlog?
Speaker #7: It's just more of a technicality of , of when they when they occur .
Speaker #3: Okay .
Speaker #6: And then can you talk about kind of your current build rate , you know , what , what are you producing at today ?
So let me, let me try it this way. So all all of the programs that were on right have have funds appropriated for them and then just the way just to get into some of the nuances of how the
Speaker #6: And , you know , what , what kind of build rate underlies , you know , the 2026 revenue guide as compared to 2025 ?
Uh, the government funding works as yes. As we move into different fiscal years, they will then technically fund it, right? So, the funding, um, does come over time.
Speaker #1: Yeah . I mean , so I would say that build rate is definitely not going to be is not the challenge for us .
Speaker #1: We're not building up our production in hopes of meeting the demand that we have or meeting future demand . Quite the opposite . So York has invested pretty heavily in our production capacity in our Willow facility alone .
I think the bigger point is that, you know, all these programs, you know, the money is budgeted and set aside for it. But yes, there is a technical—
Uh, sort of nuance of how the, you know, over time the actual money moves technically to that program.
So within our backlog, again, it's all
Speaker #1: We have all the capacity to meet all the production needs through 2028 , right ? So that's that's Willow alone . It does not include production capacity at our Wei.z facility , which is a little bit smaller , but nonetheless a completely different production facility .
Exercise contracts or exercised options within those contracts. We don't include—
Uh, unexercised options. A lot of those are the right of launch. Uh,
Speaker #1: And most importantly , our Potomac facility , which is actually four times larger than our Willow facility . So we've actually built out , invested in and our prepared for massive production numbers on the order of , you know , up to 1000 satellites a year .
Uh, owns, uh, portions. So that's not included in the backlog. Uh, and then to your point, um,
Speaker #1: So that's what we've invested in . And that's what our capacity is today . And that's a little bit of a differentiator between a lot of other companies who are still , you know , trying to prove their first product .
Uh, things over time that when the funding actually moves it we don't move our backlog up and down by the by the funding amount. Just because it's a very small portion, that's not funded. And we know that the funds are there. It's just more of a technicality of of when they when they occur.
Okay.
Speaker #1: And even after they the first product , you know , try to get to scale . And so that's a little bit different for us .
Speaker #1: So everything is just our Willow facility alone meets all our projections through 28 . And we have , you know , four X more capacity in our Potomac facility .
Um, and then, um, can you talk about kind of your current build rate? You know, what are you producing at today? And, you know, what kind of build rate underlies, uh, you know, the 2026 revenue guide as compared to 2025?
yeah, I mean
Speaker #1: So we're , we're very well positioned for the growth that we expect , you know , going on through 26 , 28 , 29 .
Speaker #7: Yeah , I'll just maybe add a few things here . Dirk a pretty helpful slide we have in our earnings deck . I think you should all have access to that either now or after the call .
Speaker #7: But it's slide eight and it shows that right now we have 33 satellites on orbit . But then we provide , you know , some some general guidance to the the satellites that we have currently in our backlog being produced .
So I would say that build rate is definitely not going to be—is not—the challenge for us. We're not building up our production, uh, in hopes of meeting the demand that we have or meeting future demands—uh, quite the opposite. So York has invested pretty heavily in our production capacity; in our Willow facility alone, uh, we have all the capacity.
To meet all the production needs through 2028.
Speaker #7: It's 107 and we expect all 107 of those to be launching over the course of 26 and 27 . Dirk mentioned earlier , we can't provide specific launch timing for specific programs That's controlled information , but what we can say is , broadly speaking , we'll have a total of 140 satellites on on orbit by the end of 2027 .
Speaker #7: If not sooner . And and so the way to think about how that ties to our , you know , you touched on our revenue , you know , again , over 70% at the midpoint of our guidance is backlog .
Speaker #7: And that's really just pretty highly predictable revenue stream . It's , it's driven off our cost and currents . And we have a pretty mature at this point , supply chain .
Right? So that's that's Willow alone. It does not include production capacity at our wise facility, which is a little bit smaller. But nonetheless, I completely different production facility and most importantly, our patomic facility, which is actually 4 times larger uh than our Willow facility. So we've actually built out invested in and our prepared for massive uh production numbers uh on the order of, you know, up to a thousand satellites a year. Uh, so that's what we've invested in and that's what our capacity is today. And that's a little bit of a differentiator between a lot of other companies who are still, you know, trying to prove their first product. Uh, and even after they prove the first product, you know, try to get the scale. Uh and that's that's a little bit different for us. So everything is just our Willow facility alone. Meets all our projections through 28 uh and we have you know, 4X more capacity and our predominant facility. So we're we're very well positioned uh for the growth that we expect, you know, going on through. 26, 28 29.
Speaker #7: And , you know , we have daily and weekly discussions depending on the vendor and the program , but it's all to say , we have a pretty a pretty good line of sight into the tempo of that revenue .
Yeah, I'll just maybe add a few things there, Derek. Um, there's a pretty helpful slide we have in our earnings deck. I think you should all have access to that, either now or after the call, but it's slide 8, and it shows that right now we have 33 satellites on orbit.
Speaker #7: And it's all generally tied to the higher theme that over the course of the next two years , we're going to be putting 107 satellites into , into orbit .
Uh, but then we provide, you know, some general guidance to the satellites that we have currently in our backlog being produced.
It's 107, and we expect all 107 of those, uh, to be launching over the course of '26 and '27.
Speaker #7: And that that actually does not include that 107 number . I'm citing does not include . To be clear , that new commercial constellation we're still working with that customer to fine tune some of the expectations for for launch dates .
Uh, Durk mentioned earlier, we can't provide specific launch timing for specific programs. Uh,
that's controlled information.
Speaker #7: There
Speaker #6: Great . Thank you very much
Speaker #2: If you would like to ask a question , please press star one on your telephone keypad to withdraw your question , press star one again , please pick up your handset .
But what we can say is, broadly speaking. Um, we'll have a total of 140 satellites on on orbit by the end of 2027, uh, if if not sooner. And and so the way to think about how that ties to our, you know, you touched on our our Revenue. Um, you know, again over 70%.
Is is backlog.
And that's really just.
Speaker #2: When asking a question . If you are muted locally , please remember to unmute your device . Your next question comes from the line of Austin Moller of Canaccord Genuity .
Pretty highly predictable.
Uh, uh, revenue stream. It—it's—it's driven off our cost.
Speaker #2: Your line is open . Please go ahead .
Speaker #8: Hi . Good afternoon , Dirk and Kevin . Just my first question here . Given the funding already included in big beautiful Bill and the fiscal year 26 budget for Golden Dome , what funding do you think might be allocated in this $450 billion reconciliation bill for space that they're talking about ?
Uh and currents. Um and and we have a pretty mature at this point uh supply chain. And you know, we have daily and weekly uh discussions uh depending on the vendor and the the the program. But it's all to say we have a pretty a pretty good line of sight into the tempo of that Revenue. Uh, and it's all generally tied to
The higher theme that, over the course of the next two years,
Speaker #8: Do you think it might include more satellites or more ground infrastructure for Space Force and d o w
We're going to be putting 107, uh, satellites, uh, into orbit, and that actually does not include—that 107 number I'm citing.
Speaker #1: I mean , at the 10,000 foot level , it's going to include more for both , for sure . Space is absolutely going to be critical to to the , national defense and what we're doing in the future .
Does not include, to be clear, that new commercial constellation. We're still working with that customer.
Uh, to fine-tune some of the expectations for, uh, for launch dates there.
Speaker #1: But that does include a significant amount of ground effort as well . Ground will need to tie . Like I said , all the disparate systems together .
Great, thank you very much.
Speaker #1: That's of the main challenge that we have is we have all the capabilities we need . We need to be more efficient in how they talk to one another .
If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad.
Speaker #1: So ground will be a huge part of that . Building out ground is important and that's , you know , that's one of the ID IQ's that I mentioned was a contract win for us is about your helping to contribute to that .
To withdraw your question, press star 1 again.
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Speaker #1: Us helping to contribute on how you , you know , operate hundreds and thousands of satellites in orbit , how you feed that information and how you how you distribute that information and disseminate it .
Your next question comes from the line of Austin Meurer of Canaccord Genuity.
Your line is open. Please go ahead.
Speaker #1: And satellites are really the best way of disseminating information . It's , you know , it's kind of above the entire battlefront . So there's going to be a significant amount , you know , for both ground and satellites , for both .
Speaker #1: Now , all that said , our pipeline that we've identified and you know , we have to update it , I'm sure , but we have , you know , 11 billion in identified pipeline right now .
Speaker #1: So , you know , that's that's seemingly only going to grow . I've seen more requests for more funding for some of our more recent engagements as well .
Hi, good afternoon Durk and Kevin. Just my first question here given the funding already included in big beautiful bills and the fiscal year 26 budget for golden dome. Um what funding do you think might be allocated in this 450 billion dollar, reconciliation Bill uh for space that they're talking about. Do you think it might include more satellites or more ground infrastructure for space force and DW?
Speaker #1: So , you know , our identified pipelines , 11 billion . And that was before a lot of the growth that that you're talking about here
Speaker #8: Okay . And as the production lots for Golden Dome or p w a grows with additional contracts for that constellation or those constellations , what gives you confidence in maintaining the target ?
Speaker #8: Growth and contribution margin margins going forward ? Is it just the strong execution record and timely delivery and best in class product ?
Speaker #1: Yeah . I mean , it's , you know , for us , it's always the three main metrics is that , you know , best capability , you know , best performance , best schedule , which we meet all , on all those fronts .
I mean at the, you know, 10,000-foot level, it's going to include more for both, for sure. Um, space is absolutely going to be critical to the, to the, you know, national defense and what we're doing in the future. Uh, but that doesn't exclude a significant amount of ground effort as well. Uh, ground will need to tie, like I said, all the disparate systems together. That's kind of the main challenge that we have, is we have all the capabilities we need. Uh, we need to be more efficient in how they talk to one another. So, ground will be a huge part of that. Building out ground, uh, is important. And that's, uh, you know, that's one of the IDIQs that I mentioned was a contract win for us—uh, is about, you're helping to contribute to that, uh, us helping.
Speaker #1: But historically we . Have executed a price point that is half the price of our competitors . And we've done it with the margins that we are very close to now .
Speaker #1: And we think that we have the opportunity to increase that because we're only becoming more and more efficient . So , you know , just as a , you know , kind of a side story , I guess , or an example is critical design review is one of the most critical reviews for any of our programs .
Make a tribute on how you, uh, you know, operate hundreds and thousands of satellites in orbit, uh, how you feed that information and how you, how you distribute that information and disseminate it. And satellites are really the best way of disseminating the information. Uh, it's, you know, it's kind of above the entire battlefront. So there's going to be a significant amount, you know, for both ground and satellites, um, for both, um, now.
All that said, uh, our pipeline that we've identified, and you know,
Speaker #1: I can say that for the T1 program at Cedar , we had 65 engineering heads working that program , and at the same critical design review for T2 , we had 15 , right .
Speaker #1: So we are seeing significant improvements in our efficiency and our ability to execute . So , Kevin , I mean , you might have some more comments on those margins there , but those are the margins that we plan to those are the margins that we price to .
We have to update it up, I'm sure, but we have, you know, $11 billion in identified pipeline right now. Uh, so, you know, that's seemingly only going to grow. Uh, I've seen more requests for more funding, um, for some of our more recent engagements as well. So, you know, our identified pipeline is $11 billion, and that was before a lot of the growth that you're talking about here.
Okay. And
Speaker #1: Those are the margins that we execute on . And we've been doing it at those at half the But Kevin , I don't know if there's .
Speaker #1: Yeah .
Speaker #7: No , I think I think you covered it really well . Dirk . What I would say is that , yes , our given that we are already half the price of our competition , we're starting from a pretty enviable pricing position .
For Golden Dome or PWSA, growth with additional contracts for that constellation or those constellations—what gives you confidence in maintaining the target growth and contribution margin margins going forward? Is it just the strong execution record in timely delivering best-in-class product?
Speaker #7: Right ? So I don't feel like we need to certainly lower price at all . I think our strategy is Dirk has outlined in the past is , you know , probably maintain this pricing .
Speaker #7: We make nice margins at it . But what we can do and what we are doing right is as our as our supply chain matures and we're ordering more volumes , we're going to see , you know , just our supply base or our cost base start to come down , right ?
Yeah, I mean it's, you know, for us, it's always the— the three main metrics. It's that, you know, best capability, best performance, best schedule, which we meet on all those fronts. But historically, we have executed at a price point that is half the price of our competitors. Uh, and we've done it, uh, with the margins that we are very close to now. Uh, and we think that we have opportunity to increase that, because we're only becoming more and more efficient.
So, you know, just as a, you know, kind of a—
Speaker #7: So , so definitely , I think there's more upside to contribution margin just from a sort of an accounting perspective . You know , some of these vertical integration plays that we've done , those are highly , highly creative to contribution margin .
Speaker #7: Just just the way that the intercompany math works with , with , with their profit margin , basically getting kind of canceled out .
Speaker #7: So it's all to say feel very good about contribution , margin growing from here . Another aspect of that , frankly , is we've been producing at at large scale for , for a couple of years now , which is something a lot of our competition probably , you know , still has ahead of them .
Speaker #7: And so we've learned just a lot by being in the trenches and fielding these large constellations . So we there's no more surprises of , you know , things that we perhaps forgot to price in when we , when we bid contract a couple of years ago , you know , just that that's what you get from the level of experience and repetition that we've had .
Speaker #7: So we don't expect any any surprises on , on the material cost side . And again , the trend will be to continue to to drive down our our supply chain costs
That we plan to those are the margins that we price to those are the margins that we execute on. Uh and we've been doing it at those margins at half the price but Kevin I don't know if there's no I think I think you covered it really well. Durk what I would say is that yes our given that we are already half the price of our competition. We're starting from a pretty enviable pricing position, right? So I don't feel like we need to, um, certainly lower price at all. I think our strategy is jerk is outlined in the past. As, you know, probably maintaining this pricing. We make nice margins at it. But what we can do and what we are doing, right is as our as our supply chain matures, and, and we're ordering more volumes, we're going to see, you know, just the our supply base or our cost base, uh, start to come down, right? So so definitely, I think there's more upside to contribution margin, uh, just from a sort of an accounting perspective.
Speaker #8: Awesome . Thanks for all the details
Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Ryan Koontz of Needham and Co . Your line is open . Please go ahead .
Uh, as you know, some of these vertical integration plays that we've done, um, those are highly, um,
Highly creative to contribution margin.
Speaker #3: Great . Thanks for the question .
Speaker #9: And I want to ask on the big picture here , regards to the the 26 guide . And , you know , I see over , you know , over 70% of .
Uh, just the way that the inner company math works, with their profit margin basically getting kind of canceled out. Um, so if it's all to say,
Speaker #9: That's already in backlog . But if you can expand on the , the kind of revenue , the types of revenue or the mix of revenue , that's not currently backlogged that you'd expect to see in 26 months .
Feel very good about contribution margin growing from here. And another aspect of that, frankly, is we've been
Speaker #9: Thank you .
Speaker #7: I'm going to start with that one . Yeah . You got it . Ryan . Yeah . What I what I'd say is that we are expecting new business award activity to , to start to pick up as some of these dollars get allocated in the eventual , you know , sort of spending agencies that will ultimately be awarding the contracts .
Uh producing at at large scale for for a couple years now which is something a lot of our competition probably you know it still has ahead of them and and so we've learned just a lot by being in the trenches and and Fielding these large constellations. So we there's no more surprises of
Speaker #7: We think that's going to take a little bit of time . We think once we kind of get to that mid-year and into the second half , we're going to start to see some pretty robust award activity .
You know, things that we perhaps forgot to price in when we bid a contract a couple of years ago—you know, just that. That's what you get from the level of experience and repetition that we've had. Uh, so we don't expect any—
Any surprises on, uh, on the material cost side? And again, the trend will be—
To continue to drive down our supply chain costs.
Speaker #7: And that's that's the basis of our of our range of , of 545 to 595 of Rev . So so we do think most of that will be from our , you know , traditional , you know , Department of Defense government sector , whether that's AWS or Golden Dome or I , you know , one of the themes , Dirk , has touched on today is that , you know , wherever it comes out of , we're a bit agnostic to that because we , you know , just believe the capabilities we have are , you know , positions .
Awesome. Thanks for all the details.
Your next question.
Co, your line is open. Please go ahead.
Great. Thanks for the question and um let me ask kind of a big picture here with regards to the the the 26 guide and you know I see over you know over 70% of that is already uh in backlog. But if you can expand on the the kind of rev and the types of Revenue or the mix of Revenue, it's not currently backlogged that you'd expect to see in in 26 months. Thank you.
Speaker #7: Well , positions well , across the board , there'll be a little bit of commercial that that new commercial contract , you know , we're not anticipating substantial revenue recognition from that one this year .
You want me to start with that? Yeah, so you got it.
Brian. Uh, yeah. What I—what I'd say is that we are expecting, um,
Speaker #7: So so I would say it's going to be largely , you know , second half , you know , government defense awards and a little bit of commercial
New business, uh, award activity to start to pick up.
Uh, as some of these dollars get allocated, uh, in the eventual—uh,
Speaker #9: Helpful . That's really great . And anything on the supply chain you'd call out as as challenging these days , you know , we hear about it in other areas of tech get getting tough .
Speaker #9: But in particular areas you're concerned about and having to invest maybe extra working capital to be prepared .
Speaker #1: Yeah , I mean , we do hear a lot about supply chains now , but I think that we're a little bit differentiated in that sense .
You know, sort of spending agencies, that will ultimately be awarding the contracts. We think that's going to take a little bit of time. Uh, we think once we kind of get to that, uh, mid year and into the second half, um, we're going to start to see some pretty robust, uh, award activity. And that's That's the basis of our, of our range of, of 545 to 595 of of rev. Um, so
Speaker #1: And , and how I mean , that is , you know , we are at production capacity now , which means that we were tackling supply chain issues several years ago .
So, we do think most of that will be from our, you know, traditional,
uh,
Speaker #1: And so I think it's a little bit new for folks trying to ramp up now , but we've done that investment . I think , you know , acquisitions like Orbeon are very , very helpful in the sense of we can better plan with our partners on kind of what kind of numbers we're going to need and when .
you know, Department of Defense government, uh, sector, whether that's pwsa or golden dome or I see, you know, 1 of the themes, Durk is touched on today, is that, um, you know, wherever it comes out of
We're a bit agnostic to that because we, you know, just believe the capabilities we have are, um,
Speaker #1: And we can co-invest if that's required . And so we've done a lot of that already . And so our supply chain is very robust , very secure .
Speaker #1: We work these issues many years ago , we did things like buy solar arrays and bulk ahead of a need , ahead of , you know , challenges that were that were coming ahead .
You know, positions, well, positions, well, across the board, there'll be a little bit of commercial. That new commercial contract, um, you know, we're not anticipating substantial revenue recognition from that one this year.
Um, so I—so I would say it's going to be largely, you know, second half.
Speaker #1: We on some some laser capability to stand up production on that . But again , that was that was for , you know , t0 contract .
Uh, you know, government defense, uh, awards, uh, and a little bit of commercial.
Speaker #1: So we've basically retired a lot of that investment we needed to make in our supply chain . We're kind of more now in improvement cycle where we're trying to , to improve it , make it more efficient and make it a little bit better .
Speaker #1: But you know , us kind of delaying schedule and things like that because of supply chain is a problem that we looked at a couple of years ago .
Helpful that's really great. And anything on the supply chain. You, you'd call out as as challenging these days, you know, we hear about it in other areas of tech uh, get getting tough. Uh, but in in, in particular areas, you're you're concerned about and having to invest um maybe extra working capital to be prepared.
Speaker #1: And we feel like we have a good handle on it . I think , you know , when we did the IPO , we did talk about that .
Speaker #1: We were going to inventory a lot of our spacecraft . We're in a unique position to be able to do that . We have a very large backlog .
Speaker #1: We have a consistent product . We know that it works . We know that it works in orbit . And so we are going to invest in some inventory , which should help with with the supply chain challenges as well .
Speaker #1: The reality is , is something being delayed is only really a problem if you're already behind , right ? But if you are ahead of the need and ahead of a schedule and have in inventory product , you know , if something shows up , you know , a three weeks later than , it , than it should have , but you have inventory spacecraft and you have ahead of a need , then then you're able to kind of sustain those impacts .
Speaker #1: So that's where we're focused more is standing up , you know , basically supporting our supply chain to be more efficient . And then we're going to build inventory , spacecraft .
Speaker #1: And that's going to really take that kind of lead time out of the equation for us
Speaker #9: Great . And just a quick clarification there . If you're doing that inventory and shipping from inventory , is that a different form of rev rec than traditionally ?
I think that we're a little bit differentiated in that sense. And and how I mean that is, you know, we are at production capacity now, uh, which means that we were tackling supply chain issues, several years ago. Uh, and so I think it's a little bit new for folks trying to ramp up now, but we've done that investment. Uh, I think you know, Acquisitions. Like, orbion are very, very helpful in the sense of we can better plan with our partners, uh, on kind of what kind of numbers we're going to need. And when, and we can co-invest if that's required. Uh, and so we've done a lot of that already. Uh, and so our supply chain is, you know, very robust, very secure. We work these issues, many years ago. Uh, we did things like buy solar arrays and bulk, uh, ahead of a need, uh, ahead of, you know, challenges that were that were coming ahead. Uh, we co-invested on some, some laser can capability to stand up production on that. But again, that was that was for, you know, t, zero contract. Um, so we've basically retired, a lot of that investment we needed to make in our supply chain, we're kind of more now.
Speaker #7: No , that's what it does . Is effectively accelerate the revenue recognition . So as Dirk said , we want to be smart about building up some satellite platforms in inventory .
Speaker #7: And then that way our BD folks can be empowered to say , hey , how quickly do you need this mission flown ? Because we've proven , I think Dirk touched on his prepared remarks with our Dragoon mission , right ?
Now uh and Improvement cycle where we're trying to to improve it, make it more efficient, and make it a little bit better. Um, but, you know, us kind of delaying schedule and things like that. Because of supply chain is is is a, is a problem that we looked at a couple years ago and we feel like we have a good handle on it. I think uh you know when we did the IPO we did talk about that. We were going to inventory a lot of our spacecraft, we're in a unique position to be able to do that. Uh we have a very large backlog, we have a consistent product, we know that it works, we know that it works in orbit.
Speaker #7: We . ATP to orbit was seven months , which is pretty unheard of . So . So what that'll do is we'll kind of build up the cost structure on the balance sheet in inventory .
Speaker #7: And then once we get that allocated to a particular revenue generating program , it'll be a very fast cycle . So it'll , it'll be pretty exciting to see that happen .
Speaker #9: Yeah . That's cool . All right . Thanks guys . Appreciate the color .
Speaker #1: Yep
Speaker #2: Your next question comes from the line of Sheila Kahyaoglu of Jefferies . Your line is open . Please go ahead . Good afternoon .
It. Uh, and so we are going to invest in some inventory which should help, uh, with with the supply chain challenges as well. The reality is, is something being delayed is only really a problem if you're already behind, right? But if you are ahead of need, uh, and ahead of a schedule and have in inventory product, you know, if something shows up, you know, 3 weeks later, then it then it should have. Uh, but you have inventory spacecraft and you have a head of a need, uh, then then you're able to kind of sustain those impacts. So that's where we're focused more is, um, standing up, you know, basically supporting our supply chain, to be more efficient and then we're going to build inventory spacecraft, uh and that's going to really take that kind of lead time out of the equation for us.
Speaker #10: Good afternoon guys , and congrats on your first quarter . Maybe if I could ask first . On just the margin comments and the pricing , you know , you guys offer an affordable solution .
Great. They want just a quick follow-up clarification there. If you're building that inventory and shipping from inventory, is that a different form of rev rec than traditionally?
Speaker #10: What's driving some of the higher margins ? I know you talked about the supply chain improvements . What is that ? Is that more supply chain pricing ?
Speaker #10: And how do we think about the volume leverage and maybe if we could clarify on Orbeon , how do we think about the revenue contribution there , given that's a vertical integration play as well ?
No, it is. What it does is effectively accelerate the revenue recognition. So, as Durk said, we want to be smart about building up some satellite platforms in inventory, and then that way our BD folks can be empowered.
Speaker #1: Kevin , you talked about . Yeah .
Uh, to say, hey, how quickly do you need this mission flown? Because we've proven—
Speaker #7: I'll touch on that . Yeah , we'll start with the Orbeon one . So the way it works , broadly speaking , when we acquire a company like Orbeon and like Atlas , it's the same thing for Atlas .
I think Durk touched on his prepared remarks.
With our Dragoon mission, right? We
Speaker #7: So they do York business and non York business . So when when our our consolidated numbers are put out , the net impact is just on the non York business because the way it works from an accounting perspective is that our , their York business , that revenue gets cancelled out and the associated cogs from us .
ATP to orbit was 7 months which is pretty unheard of so. So what that'll do is we'll we'll kind of build up the cost structure on the balance sheet in inventory. And then once we get that uh, uh, allocated to a particular, uh, Revenue generating program, it'll be a very
Fast cycle. Um, rev rack, so it'll be pretty exciting to see that happen.
Yeah, that's cool. Alright, thanks, guys. Appreciate you calling.
Yep.
Your next question.
Speaker #7: So their , their revenue is our cogs , so to speak , those , those net out in the elimination . So , so again , they are baked into our , our projections .
comes from the
of Jeffrey's.
Your line is open. Please go ahead. Good afternoon.
Speaker #7: They're not a , I would say not a substantial portion of our 2026 guidance because again , we're buying companies that we already buy a lot of stuff from .
Speaker #7: And then so that kind of it's more of a margin improvement . I touched on earlier , the more when we do these type of vertical integration acquisitions , they're very accretive to contribution margin , right ?
Good afternoon, guys, and congrats on your first quarter. Maybe if I could ask first about the margin comments and the pricing—you know, you guys offer an affordable solution. What's driving some of the higher margins? I know you talked about the supply chain improvements. What is that? Is that more like supply chain pricing? And how should we think about the volume leverage? And maybe, if you could clarify on Orbion, how should we think about the revenue contribution there, given that that's a vertical integration play as well?
Speaker #7: Because we're basically stripping out what otherwise would have been profit margin that we were paying to a third party vendor . Now that just kind of stays within the family , so to speak .
You talked about yeah I'll touch on that. Um yeah we we'll start with the orbion 1 so the way it works. Broadly speaking uh when we acquire a company like orbion
Speaker #7: So that's a big driver of increased contribution margin and , and , and gross overall gross margin . So that's how that works .
Uh, and like Atlas, it's the same thing for Atlas. So, they do York business and non-York business.
Speaker #7: And then , you know , just in general , I think you had a question about , margin . So our margins improved year over year .
Uh, so when our consolidated numbers are put out, the net impact is just on the non-York business.
Speaker #7: Our gross margin by about 700 basis points . And that's really a result of a couple of things . It's program mix . So our newer vintage program , so a lot of the growth and revenue in 2025 came from our , our tranche two transport layer programs , Alpha and gamma .
Because the way it works from an accounting perspective is that our
They're York business, that Revenue gets canceled out and and the associated cogs from us. So their, their revenue is our Cog, so to speak those, those net out, uh, and the elimination. So, so again,
They are baked into our, uh,
Our, our projections.
Speaker #7: Those were programs that we were , we priced when we had a lot of reps in our system through T0 and T1 . So we priced that really well .
Speaker #7: And those are higher margin in general , our newer programs are higher margin . So it's a factor of mix . And then we also had reduced negative EC adjustments in fiscal 25 .
Of our 2026 guidance. Um, because again, we're buying companies that we already buy a lot of stuff from, and then so that kind of—it's more of a margin improvement. I touched on earlier, the more, when we do these types of vertical integration,
Acquisitions—they're very accretive to contribution margin, right, because we're basically stripping out
Speaker #7: And again that's another sort of proof point of of a mature a maturing business . And maturing , you know , sort of pricing rigor and cost rigor .
What otherwise would have been profit margin that? We were paying to a third party vendor now that just kind of, uh, stays within the family, so to speak. So that that's a big driver of increased contribution margin and and and gross overall gross margin.
Speaker #7: We don't expect to see any sort of meaningful negative EC adjustments as we move forward . So it's really those two things that drove the nearly 700 basis point margin , gross margin improvement in 25 .
So that's how that works. And then, you know, just in general, I think you had a question about, you know, margin. You know, so our margins improved.
Uh year-over-year, our gross margin.
Uh, by about, uh, 700 basis points.
Speaker #10: Got it . Thank you . That's very clear . And then maybe if you could just provide a quick update on how you're thinking about transport .
Uh, and that's really the— a result of a couple things. Um, it's— it's program mix.
Speaker #10: Tranche three and just the path forward for that mission
So, our newer vintage program—so a lot of the growth and revenue in 2025,
Speaker #1: Yeah , as I , as I kind of talked about a little bit earlier , you know , there's no doubt that communications is going to be a major part of Golden Dome and national defense in general .
Came from our, our tranche to transport layer programs. Uh, Alpha and Gamma.
Um, those were programs that we were—we priced.
Speaker #1: I believe that it's going to be restructured under something called the space Data Network , where , you know , they're working through that architecture and what that will look like .
Speaker #1: Now , my best guess , and it's a guess , is that I think transport will probably be part of that space data network .
uh, when we had a lot of reps, uh, in our system, through t0 and T1. So we priced that really well. And those are higher margin in in general, our newer programs are higher margin. So it's a it's a factor of mix.
Speaker #1: And it will interlink with the other systems . So it kind of goes to what I was saying before of their realizing that these systems cannot be disparate and unique , and they need to be part of a larger architecture that works together .
Uh, and then we also, uh, had reduced negative EAC adjustments in fiscal '25. Uh, and again, that's another
Uh, sort of proof point.
Speaker #1: And my feeling is that I think transport will , will definitively be a part of that . I think that they're working the details of that architecture now and how that'll work .
Speaker #1: Obviously , I think that we're in a really phenomenal position to win significant parts of that , given that we've already , performed so well on on T0 , T1 , we're already on under contract for T2 .
Of of a mature, a maturing business and maturing uh you know, sort of pricing rigor and, and cost rigor. Uh we we don't expect
Speaker #1: So I think our delivery capabilities , flight heritage , and the fact that we're the to launch every single time kind of speak to , you know , us being able to deliver that mission successfully .
To see any sort of meaningful, negative EAC adjustments as we move forward. So, it's really those two things that drove the—
Uh, nearly 700 basis point gross margin improvement in '25.
Speaker #1: So I think it's going to be part of space Data network . And I think that they're working at architecture now , and we feel like we're in a strong position to win that work .
Got it. Thank you. That's very clear. And then maybe if you could just provide a quick update on how you're thinking about Transport Tranche 3, and just the path forward for that mission.
Speaker #10: Got it . Okay . Thank you
Yeah. Um,
Speaker #2: I will now turn the call back to Dirk Wallinger for closing remarks .
Speaker #1: Yeah . So essentially , I just wanted to say thank you for everyone taking the time who've been , you know , those a lot of folks have been following us for a little bit , appreciate you learning more about what we're doing .
Speaker #1: Hopefully you can see that we have , you know , really strong engagement , the ability to execute . We have a lot of missions in front of us , which we're excited to to get into .
Speaker #1: We're seeing our base grow significantly from not only the kind of proliferation proliferating Leo national defense systems . We've historically worked on , we're seeing new contracts with multiple classified customers .
Speaker #1: We're seeing large constellations being secured for commercial customers as well . So we're really excited about the future . We hope that you'll keep following along with us and appreciate everyone for taking the time .
Speaker #1: So thank you so much
as I as I kind of talked about a little bit earlier, you know, there's no doubt that Communications is going to be a major part of golden dome and National Defense in general. Uh, I believe that it's going to be restructured under something called the state Data Network, um, where, you know, they're working through that architecture and what that'll look like now, my best guess. And it's a guest, uh, is that I think transport will probably be part of that space Data Network, uh, and it will Interlink with the other system. So it kind of goes to what I was saying before of. They're realizing that these systems cannot be desperate and unique. And they need to be part of a larger architecture that works together. Uh, and my feeling is that I think transport will will definitively be a part of that. I think that they're working the, the details of that architecture. Now, and how that will work. Obviously, I think that we're in a really phenomenal position to win significant parts of that. Given that, um, we've already, you know, performed so well. On, on t0, T1, we're already under contract for T2. So I think, uh, our our delivered capabilities flight Heritage, uh, and the fact that we we're the first time
To to launch every single time, uh, kind of speak to, you know, us being able to deliver that mission successfully. So, uh, I think it's going to be part of space Data Network and um, I think that they're working that architecture now, and we feel like we're in a strong position to win that work.
Got it. Okay, thank you.
I will now turn the call back to Dirk Winger for closing remarks.
Yeah, so essentially, I just wanted to say thank you to everyone taking the time, uh, who've been, you know, there's a lot of folks who have been following us for a little bit. Appreciate you learning more about what we're doing. Uh, hopefully you can see that, uh, we have, you know, really strong engagement, the ability to execute. Uh, we have a lot of missions in front of us, which we're excited to, to get into. We're seeing our base, uh, grow significantly from not only, uh, the kind of proliferation—proliferated LEO, uh, National Defense systems we've historically worked on—we're seeing new contracts with multiple classified customers. We're seeing large constellations, uh, being secured for commercial customers as well. So we're really excited about the future. Uh, we hope that you'll keep, uh, following along with us and, uh, appreciate everyone for taking the time. So, thank you so much.
Today's call.