Summary: Space Systems Command has awarded its first Commercial Solutions Opening prototype contract under the Kronos program to MapLarge and Leidos. Executed under the Department of War's Software Acquisition Pathway, it is structured to deliver operationally relevant software to the joint force at speed.
EL SEGUNDO, Calif.– The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command has awarded its first Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) prototype contract under the Kronos program to MapLarge and Leidos for $499,828 and $1.43M, respectively. This award marks a significant step in modernizing the Nation's space intelligence capabilities to ensure decision advantage in a dynamic and contested domain.
The contract will support the development of an integrated prototype designed to enhance battlespace characterization, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations, and multi-source data fusion for the Kronos enterprise.
Kronos is a comprehensive USSF program to modernize operational command and control, battle management, and space intelligence through an integrated family of systems. Executed under the Department of War's Software Acquisition Pathway, it is structured to deliver operationally relevant software to the joint force at speed.
"In a contested space domain, the ability to integrate intelligence at the speed of operations is critical because decision dominance is a prerequisite for space superiority,” said USSF Col. Jason West, commander of SSC System Delta 85 (SYD 85).
The prototype will focus on delivering a minimum viable capability that strengthens how intelligence is processed, exploited, and integrated into operational workflows. It aims to provide a continuous understanding of adversary actions, enhance the tasking of ISR assets, and support target development, ultimately providing a decisive advantage to joint and coalition forces. The initial deployment will feature a mission-management tool that unifies intelligence planning, live operations, and post-mission analysis within the Kronos architecture.
Underscoring the critical need for speed through commercial integration, USSF Lt. Col. Collin Greiser, SYD 85 System Program Manager for Advanced Space Battle Management, said the use of a CSO for this contract award was pivotal.
“CSOs are designed for speed: they reduce paperwork and time and, once awarded, they offer a significant level of vendor flexibility,” he noted.
The CSO proposal process employs a phased approach, often starting with a short solution brief or pitch, which reduces the upfront effort for companies. Once awarded, CSOs can lead directly to a follow-on production contract without requiring further competition. The emphasis on speed and operational relevance aligns with the DoW’s broader acquisition transformation strategy which calls for buying commercial solutions to the maximum extent practical, increasing speed, and pursuing industry-driven solutions that can meet mission needs faster.
Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of War, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations.
System Delta 85 falls under Space Systems Command and is responsible for delivering capability in support of space intelligence, space defense and theater support, advanced space battle management, nuclear command and control, space access and networked services, and battlespace awareness, including GEO, MEO, and LEO space sensing.