<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><edgarSubmission xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/ownership" xmlns:com="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/common">
  <!-- Generated by Workiva -->
  <headerData>
    <submissionType>144</submissionType>
    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001114923</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0001069258</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>Kratos Defense &amp; Security Solutions, Inc.</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-34460</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>10680 Treena Street, Suite 600</com:street1>
        <com:city>San Diego</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>CA</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>92131</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>858-812-7300</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>William A. Hoglund</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Director</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>J.P. Morgan Securities LLC</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>270 Park Avenue, 10th Floor</com:street1>
          <com:city>New York</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>NY</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>10017</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>91500</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>6451665</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>170329158</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>04/01/2026</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NASDAQ</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>05/20/2014</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Purchase</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Open Market</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>45269</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>05/20/2014</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Cash</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common Stock</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>08/12/2016</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Purchase</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Open Market</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>46231</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>08/12/2016</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Cash</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <remarks>The shares covered by this filing will be sold today or within three months of the date of this filing by Tucker Doghouse Investments LLC, William A. Hoglund as  Managing Member.</remarks>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>04/01/2026</noticeDate>
      <planAdoptionDates>
        <planAdoptionDate>12/10/2025</planAdoptionDate>
      </planAdoptionDates>
      <signature>/s/ J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as agent and attorney-in-fact for William  A. Hoglund</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
  </formData>
</edgarSubmission>
