Kessel Run, ACC strike first user deal involving AF MAJCOM under new software AQ policy

Kessel Run and Air Combat Command have struck a deal formalizing the coding unit’s continued delivery of software and further modernization efforts, marking the first user agreement involving an Air Force major command under the Defense Department’s new software acquisition policy.

Announced in a news release today, the arrangement was officially reached on Sept. 30, and Jacquelynn Torson, Kessel Run’s test and integration chief, told Inside Defense it represents “a commitment between ACC and Kessel Run for continuous user involvement on development and delivery of new software capability.”

ACC, Kessel Run’s primary customer, has been the recipient of a variety of software applications including the Kessel Run All-Domain Operations Suite (KRADOS), a modernized package that’ll replace the legacy, decades-old Theater Battle Management Core System.

The Air Force in March declared KRADOS a minimal viable product, or an early iteration of software that users are able to evaluate as developers work to build a more complete operational package. Officials anticipate the service will unveil its first minimum viable capability release tied to KRADOS in March 2022.

Between now and then, the previously announced minimal viable product will expand from the nine applications it hosts to include "execution and monitoring" and other applications, Kessel Run Commander Col. Brian Beachkofski told reporters in August.

Progress there will allow the Air Force to start transitioning the battle management core system out of the Air Operations Center Weapon System, and modernizing that system continues to be Kessel Run’s primary focus, Torson noted today.

Kessel Run has also provided ACC with the Command and Control Incident Management Emergency Response Application (C2IMERA), and Gen. Mark Kelly, ACC commander, last month directed it to be used across all of the command’s installations to monitor base resources.

The ACC-Kessel Run deal was put in place following DOD’s finalization last October of a software acquisition pathway to guide development and procurement efforts.

Torson declined to comment on potential future agreements between Kessel Run and other major commands.