Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has cleared a major development milestone for the Space Development Agency, completing the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Advanced Fire Control Ground Infrastructure (AFCGI) system with no outstanding technical issues. The achievement, announced today, keeps the program on track for its planned launch schedule.
The CDR’s completion with “zero liens” indicates that all design challenges and technical risks have been fully resolved, allowing the program to move directly into implementation without delay. This milestone was reached just eight months after the Preliminary Design Review, which itself was completed in only five months following the contract award.
Kratos secured the $116.7 million prime contract for AFCGI in 2024. The system represents a significant advancement in ground-based space command, integrating sophisticated software, resilient ground platforms and secure networks into a unified cloud architecture. This framework is designed to support real-time fire control missions, providing warfighters with immediate operational advantages through enhanced data processing and decision-making capabilities.
The rapid progression from contract award through design reviews demonstrates the effectiveness of Kratos’ development approach. Greg Caicedo, Senior Vice President of Kratos Space, attributed the accelerated timeline to the company’s OpenSpace ground architecture.
“Completing the critical design review ahead of schedule highlights Kratos’ ability to deliver advanced, software-driven systems faster than traditional development models,” Caicedo said. “Kratos continues to invest in scalable, resilient capabilities that keep pace with operational and strategic demands.”
The AFCGI program forms a critical component of the Space Development Agency’s broader architecture for space-based sensing and missile tracking. By establishing a robust ground infrastructure that can process and disseminate fire control data in real-time, the system enhances the military’s ability to detect and respond to emerging threats.
Kratos’ performance on the program reflects a broader industry trend toward accelerated acquisition and development cycles for space systems. The company’s ability to advance complex programs on compressed timelines while maintaining technical rigor positions it favorably for future opportunities within the growing space defense sector.
With the CDR complete, the program now shifts focus to system implementation and integration activities in preparation for operational deployment aligned with SDA’s tranche architecture.
