SO Advanced Technology Development
Abstract
This project provides for rapid prototyping, Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATDs) and Joint Capability Technology Demonstrations. It is a means for demonstrating and evaluating the utility of emerging/advanced technologies in operationally relevant environments with Special Operations Forces (SOF) users. This project integrates emerging technologies and presents them in technology demonstrations, in conjunction with joint experiments and other assessment events. Evaluation results often facilitate the initiation of new programs and the insertion of appropriate technologies to acquisition programs. The element also addresses unique, joint special mission or area-specific needs for which a few rapid prototypes must be developed on a responsive basis, or are of sufficient time sensitivity to accelerate prototyping efforts of a normal acquisition program in any phase. Sub-projects include: • Rapid Exploitation of Innovative Technologies (REITS). This sub-project supports both top-down and bottom-up approaches for USSOCOM Components, Theater Special Operations Commands and Special Operations Task Forces to articulate innovative technology recommendations. Concepts, ideas, and needs will be submitted to HQ USSOCOM for review and/or approval as appropriate. The tenets promote speed, evolution, collaboration, and engagement between the SOF user and the technical problem solver. Individual projects or ideas can be submitted from every echelon of command. Initial evaluation clears new ideas for distribution to industry, academia, laboratories or SOF in-country mobile technology repair complexes that have the capability to augment or build solutions in-place. The USSOCOM directive, "Rapid Technology Support to Special Operations" outlines the processes to identify, assess and exploit emerging innovative technologies for SOF in the following Capability Areas: 1) Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Sensors; 2) Mobility, Power, and Energy; 3) SOF Warrior Survivability; and 4) Weapons and Munitions. Technical activities in these areas will provide new operational capabilities and will mature technologies to better shape future SOF procurements. • C4, ISR, and Sensors Capability Area. Exploit emerging technologies to conduct ATDs that provide SOF with robust C4 and intelligence capabilities such as, but not limited to, ensuring uninterrupted information exchange, influencing situations to support mission accomplishments, reducing an adversary's ability to use information, increasing sensory performance, improving antenna technologies, and achieving near real-time data fusion for sensor systems. • Mobility, Power, and Energy Capability Area. Exploit emerging technologies to conduct ATDs such as, but not limited to, providing SOF with durable, survivable mobility capabilities in high threat areas; enhanced situational awareness; reconnaissance and direct action in high threat areas using unmanned systems, improved power system technologies for signature reduction, longer endurance, or smaller size; and advanced energy storage for vehicles, sensors, and operational needs. • SOF Warrior Survivability Capability Area. Exploit emerging technologies to conduct ATDs that provide SOF with increased survivability and performance to enhance individual operator capabilities including, but not limited to, ballistic protection, personal equipment, and night vision and optics systems. • Weapons and Munitions Capability Area. Exploit technologies such as tunable weapons, reduce signature capability, and reduce size and weight. • Special Operations Special Technology Development Sub-Project. This sub-project integrates emerging technologies and presents them in technology demonstrations, in conjunction with joint experiments and other assessment events. • Joint Task Force SWORD Sub-Project. Explore use of experimental technologies to provide emergent technologies to quick response task force deployments. • Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL) Technologies Sub-Project. Exploit emerging technologies as identified in the TTL users' Capabilities Based Assessments. Exploit emerging technologies to locate and track targets or items of interest. Pursue advanced development and prototyping of TTL capabilities that have been proven to be feasible and operationally useful. • National to Theater Transition Sub-Project. Conduct additional testing required to transition items from national forces to theater forces. • Combat Identification (CID), Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO). Radio Frequency (RF) patch provides an RF technology, ground-to-ground based, combat ID system that will reduce friendly fire casualties and increase combat effectiveness. • Classified Sub-Project (provided under separate cover). • Foliage Penetration Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting and Engagement Radar (YMQ18A Unmanned Aerial Vehicle). Conductes planning, payload integration, air vehicle improvements, and training in support of multiple operational demonstrations to evaluate the military utility of the YMQ18A unmanned aerial vehicle. The following technology activities were added by Congress for FY 2010: • Partnership for Defense Innovation Wi-Fi Test Laboratory. Rapidly evaluated and integrated commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) and government-off-the-shelf (GOTS) secure wireless network technologies relevant to the SOF Warrior. • Field Experimentation Program for Special Operations. Prototyped and evaluated manned-unmanned platform and sensor networks to articulate new concepts of operation and employment for SOF. • Advanced Distributed Aperture System (ADAS) Hostile Fire Indicating System (HFIS). Developed and initiated acquisition of the ADAS HFIS. • Affordable Miniature Foliage Penetrating Radar for Special Operations Craft-Riverine. Developed radar capable of penetrating the foliage in riverine and coastal environments at ranges consistent with mission parameters. • Optical Surveillance Equipment. This system will allow SOF to reproduce large-format/high-resolution calibration patterns used for performance analysis of surveillance systems in black and white, color, and multi-spectral bands. • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Detection Unmanned Aircraft. Assess the capability and feasibility of operating a highly developed CBRN Detection Payload integrated in a Vertical Take-off/Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). • Antennas and other Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) Devices for Intelligence/Special Military. Research, develop and demonstrate antennas and other devices for specialized intelligence and military communications. • Tiger Moth Air-Launched Off Board Sensing Small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Demonstrate an inexpensive, compact UAV that can be launched from many types of vehicles (ground, sea and air) to enhance the capabilities and situational awareness of the warfighter. • Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Global Sensors Architecture. Develop architecture to achieve near real-time data fusion for deployed sensor systems. • Increase Helicopter Situational Awareness and Survivability. Continue to develop the Advanced Distributed Aperture System (ADAS) program (sensors, 3-D audio, and ADAS processor). • Helicopter Cable Warning and Obstacle Avoidance. This system allows aircraft to perform evasive actions, significantly increasing the aircrew's probability of survival during a hostile fire engagement.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- S200_1160402BB_3_0400_PB_2012
Related Documents
- Root: Special Operations Advanced Technology Development
- Child Accomplishment: Rapid Exploitation of Innovative Technology (REITS) for SOF Sub-Project
- Child Accomplishment: REITS Sub-Project - C4, ISR, and Sensors Capability Area
- Child Accomplishment: REITS Sub-Project - Mobility, Power and Energy Capability Area
- Child Accomplishment: REITS Sub-Project - SOF Warrior Survivability Technologies Capability Area
- Child Accomplishment: REITS Sub-Project - Weapons and Munitions Capability Area
- Child Accomplishment: Special Operations Special Technology Sub-Project
- Child Accomplishment: Joint Task Force SWORD Sub-Project
- Child Accomplishment: Tagging, Tracking, and Locating Technologies (TTL) Sub-Project
- Child Accomplishment: National to Theater Transition
- Child Accomplishment: Combat Identification (CID), Overseas Contingency Operations
- Child Accomplishment: Classified Sub-Project
- Child Accomplishment: Foliage Penetration Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Targeting and Engagement Radar (YMQ18A Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)