U.S. Special Operations Command

Lightweight displays that maximize use of commercially available technology to provide symbology for flight, weapons, and sensor imagery to the pilot. Integrates into existing helmets and cockpit configurations.

Expeditionary, maritime, runway independent, uncrewed aircraft systems with advanced capabilities that include: open system architecture, modular payloads (plug and play), encrypted digital data link, navigation, information dissemination, and integrated material matrix structures that provide increased protection, stealth, RF apertures, and electromagnetic suppression. Technologies that reduce size, weight, and power.

High reliability NVIS compatible systems to potentially complement existing crewed aircraft avionics and/or replace legacy display. Systems that reduce glint and light escapement for increased survivability.

Scalable defensive technologies to protect SOF aircraft against the full spectrum of ground-to-air and air-to-air systems.

Technologies allowing for all-weather and all-terrain air-to-ground munitions engagement.

Innovative, low cost and man-portable techniques or technology in latent fingerprint collection, to include identification, imaging, and collection. Should be small, portable device to locate and capture latent fingerprints on porous and non-porous surfaces without use of dusting powders and leaving no residues.

Body-worn system to detect, locate, and identify forensic evidence at a distance up to 3 meters. Evidence of interest includes fingerprints, body fluids, explosives.

A chemical technology and database that can identify the origin of an identified substance back to a source or geospatial location with a high level of accuracy, preferably using technologies already employed by SOF. Develop affordable technology capable of identifying trace and bulk materials with a high level of confidence. Test for chemistries of interest, such as explosive and narcotics, using mechanical, chemical, electronic, or a combination of and with an output in a standard and searchable format.

Tools for exploiting cell phones, SIM cards, computers, and digital storage devices. Devices should include logical and physical extractions and data analysis capabilities.

Techniques that could package facial images and/or irises from media sources into an electronic biometric transmission specification format that could be submitted, matched, and stored in an authoritative database.

Antenna designs combining broad banded and great performance that have dismounted (light yet rugged), mounted, and fixed site applicability, but are visually difficult or impossible to distinguish from their mounted platform.

Automated software tools to perform digital forensics on computer systems. Detect changes to the standard configuration, to include the operating system and standard applications, and identify non-standard behavior.

SOF requires technologies that provide automatic data synchronization, fusion, mining, indexing and dissemination of data collected by widely dispersed SOF resources.

Capabilities that fuse and correlate battlefield information from a variety of sources and display it in an accurate and shared common operational picture. This includes fusion of full motion video with other sources of information, visually displayed in near real time to significantly improve the opportunities for knowledge management and discovery during operations.

Communications that will enable the individual combatant diver to communicate underwater to individuals and platforms. Equipment must minimize any contact with the surface, and have the ability to send and receive text, voice, and video.

Automated software tools to perform digital forensics on computer systems. Detect changes to the standard configuration, to include the operating system and standard applications, and identify non-standard behavior.

Ability to globally identify, attribute, geo-locate, monitor interdict, and defend against threats to Computer Network Operations and Information systems or tools that can autonomously and anonymously counter, defend, deny, incapacitate, confuse, access, influence, monitor, control, manipulate, disrupt, spoof or utilize adversary's computer networks and communications systems while protecting SOF systems.

Information assurance must be maintained throughout seamless, worldwide information enterprise systems that connect joint and coalition forces and other agencies. These enterprise systems must be capable of assuming information systems security while analyzing the networks, identifying and categorizing risk, and resolving potential security vulnerabilities.

Defendable and repeatable processes, models, and measurement technologies that allow for the ability to detect changes in behavior or belief over time along with the associated factors that caused the changes. Including reporting of shifts in reaction to stimulus.

An innovative approach to role-based access control for the SOF enterprise that limits access to authorized users.

Heart rate variability's potential for measuring combined psychological and physical readiness in SOF operators. Emphasis of research should validate or repudiate the use of HRV as an operational performance indicator and discern the use of HRV measurement as an accurate alternative or additive to accepted biomarker and readiness indicators. Additional research opportunities should identify unobtrusive nd minimally time-consuming means of measuring HRV on active service personnel without interfering with movement or physical activities.

Research and methods to accurately measure nutritional status in SOF operators. The proposed project should focus on cost-effectiveness, accuracy, and end-user compatibility (user friendly) methods or devices for identifying and individual's nutrient status.

Research, apply, and/or develop novel approaches that provide rapid and sustainable human performance for austere environments and/or the SOF training calendar.

Research, apply, and develop novel approaches to determining what, if any, meaningful interactions occur between and among SOF-common medications (OTC or Rx) and commonly ingested and commercially available nutritional supplements or neutraceuticals.

Technologies on the frontier of geospecific feature extraction, compression, data interoperability, and fusion of sub-centimeter natural, built and augmented environments. Technologies that extend DoD/IC capabilities to meet SOF specific requirements for operational 3D across C21 and M&S. Solutions focused on OGC standards and open system architecture to achieve agility, rapid innovation, and capability enhancement, and lower costs over the life cycle of the program.

Tactical to nano-scale systems that can provide a long duration, small form factor, clandestine capability for rapid identification of individuals and equipment at various distances. New capabilities for detecting, identifying and tracking targets based on unique observables such as, but not limited to, biometrics, radio communications, unique mechanical defects, and augmentation of natural signatures. New capabilities to modify existing indigenous technologies for use in tagging, tracking, and locating.

Technologies that allow for increased standoff distances improved resolution or better concealability over existing sensors.

Technologies that allow roll on/roll off capabilities and rapidly reconfigurable mission suites to provide a flexible platform that can meet different mission needs. ISR platform architectures that segregate flight systems from payloads to allow rapid payload swaps without having to recertify the aircraft as flight worthy. Use of commercial standards and open systems architecture to reduce cost and schedule when adding new payloads.

Sensors placed at ground level that have the following characteristics: inconspicuous; long duration with no intervention or maintenance required; data transmission over several kilometers through heavy foliage, thick vegetation, mountain passes, or other types of natural and/or manmade environments that block signals or data transmission through heavy overhead foliage or thick vegetation via commercial SATCOM systems; tamper resistant; capable of sensing ground vibration, human body heat, natural human electrical charges, and other electromagnetic emissions.

Analytical tools that provide the ability to detect changes in groups cultural behavior or beliefs over time along with associated factors that caused the changes including reactions to international stimulus to provide potential warning of future conflict areas.

Advanced multimedia communications techniques including the traditional domains (acoustic, radio, print, television) and new media resources (sonic projection, scatterable speakers, media devices, internet, cable, mass cellular broadcasting, over and covert holographic imaging, and remotely updatable electronic paper) and the emerging social networking environment.

Planning and preparation support for cultural and behavioral modeling, including analysis, theme development and creating measures of effectiveness in operational environments. Provide defendable and repeatable processes, models, and measurement technologies and procedures that allow for the ability to detect changes in behavior or belief over time along with the associated factors that caused the changes, including reporting of shifts in reaction to stimulus.

Technologies and methodologies that enable rapid, geographically focused data collection (especially attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors during and after execution of MISO) to provide evidence for the performance and effectiveness of MISO. In addition, these tools would also incorporate automated analysis, visualization capabilities, and reporting in template and user-customized formats. This capability would not include social media monitoring, scraping, analysis, or reporting.

Tactics, techniques, and procedures and enabling technologies (current or proposed) to allow PSYOP forces to prepare the operational environment during Phase 0 and maintain a persistent presence post operations.

Research into strategies for acclimatization to acute extremes in temperature, altitude, and time zone change; sensory optimization and protection research for methods that enhance or conserve canine olfactory, visual, or auditory performance during combat; trauma resuscitation research to support the development for canine resuscitation, especially addressing ballistic projectile injuries; non-traditional anesthesia protocols, with approaches for routine and emergency canine field sedation or anesthesia; optimizing canine performance and nutrition, to develop strategies for the optimization of canine performance through improved physical conditioning programs, enhanced nutrition and genetics research; and pre and post trauma training, especially approaches to diagnosing and treating SOF-peculiar training and post-traumatic canine behavioral issues, in order to optimize pre-purchase selection and post-purchase training strategies across the enterprise and restore performance in canines with behavioral or post-trauma issues.

The proposed project must research, apply, and develop effective treatment strategies that address the following elements: hypotensive resuscitation, optimal fluids, uncomplicated shock, non-compressible hemorrhaging, traumatic brain injuries, and austere damage control surgery.

Future theatres where SOF personnel will operate will likely be mush less medically robust than the past decade of fighting. Rather than sitting at hardened structures waiting on patients, surgical personnel may be increasingly asked to go to the patient. Research should focus on mobility and portability of medical and surgical equipment, with emphasis on equipment with greater capabilities than currently fielded devices, smaller size and weight, lo power demands and flexibility in power supplies. May also include research into a human systems approach to define limitations and mitigation strategies of surgical capability in austere environments.

Research novel strategies to increase the ease, efficacy, and safety of blood transfusion forward of normal logistics support, for example evaluating blood for type and cross matching and for the presence of pathogens to include point of injury AB antibody titer. Should also include other blood components such as freeze dried plasma and platelets, cryoprecipitate, fibrinogen, prothrombin complex concentrate and injectable medication to address the coagulopathy of trauma such as tranexamic acid. A long term objective is a blood substitute that is comparable in size and weight of traditional blood products, and effectively functions like fresh whole blood without requiring refrigeration.

Research, apply, and develop effective treatment strategies that address the following elements: hypotensive resuscitation, optimal fluids, uncomplicated shock, non-compressible hemorrghaging, traumatic brain injuries, and austere damage control surgery.

Mobility platform or technology insertion to allow SOF platforms to operate undetected, or to be indistinguishable from indigenous vehicles and to transit over terrain typically considered impassable.

Lightweight ballistic armor for SOF platforms, to include transparent armor. Ballistic armor systems should provide equal or increased protection over current systems without an increase in weight or reduction in durability at a manageable cost. The new systems should provide enhanced crew survivability, critical system survivability, and have low maintenance requirements.

Expeditionary, maritime, platform agnostic, and scalable unmanned surface systems with advanced capabilities that include: open system architecture, modular payloads, RF and tethered encrypted digital data link, navigation, collision avoidance, system performance and system status information dissemination, signature management, and integrated material matrix structures that provide increased survivability.

Develop capabilities to launch and recover combatant craft medium and heavy at sea via crane. Develop capabilities to launch and recover NSW submersibles to include dry combat submersible. Develop systems that allows for deployment from vessels and other than amphibious ships with a well deck.

Underwater propulsion systems that can propel an individual or team of combat divers.

Provide a safe and reliable, air independent power system capable of being used on multiple OSF undersea manned mobility platforms and unmanned undersea vehicles with growth potential for broader vehicle applications. Should be capable of preventing, controlling, and halting thermal propagation, conflagration and explosion, and testable to DoD and US Navy high energy safety and environmental standards.

Intended to provide centrally wearable power on dismount, intelligent and efficient power distribution management, automatic power charging and recharging capability, seamless integration for all powered subsystems, and novel power systems.

Propulsion systems that combine powering technologies to provide enhanced for SOF maritime combatant craft. Desired enhancements include: improved range, speed, payload; allowing for novel designs, craft layouts, and engine packaging options; low-noise operation or mode.

Provide novel renewable power technologies (eg: solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, or other) for powering small unit encampments.

Small, lightweight, and portable capability to efficiently scavenge power from known sources and efficiently convert to transportable batteries.

Ability to maintain individual core and extremity temperature against extreme environments during SOF operations, including military free-fall operations, static/dynamic land and maritime operations, and maintaining temperature of battlefield casualties.

Energetic technologies to include small arms propellants, explosive charges, explosive warhead fills, enhance blast, thermo baric or incendiary components that increase destructive energy while remaining insensitive munitions compliant.

Advanced body armor that provides superior armor capability through the increased enhancements to ballistic protection and body coverage, while reducing the weight, thickness, and thermal load. Possess the ability to defeat armor piercing ammunition to include reducing the strike energy to a survivable level. Advanced non-destructive inspection techniques for body armor and ballistic helmets.

Technologies that improve performance of lasers and imagers in the short, mid, and long wave infrared wavelengths.

Equipment that will allow the combat diver to extend underwater mission duration in extreme environments.

Increased electronic attack and RF counter IED capabilities against emerging threats worldwide in mounted/dismounted configurations. Technologies that can reduce weight, improve performance, decrease power output requirements, decrease thermal loading, and decrease system footprints, while increasing interoperability of electronic attack systems with other SOF capabilities.

Provide scalable effects weapon which can neutralize equipment and facilities from all SOF platforms, with effects from simple stop commands to full incapacitation for extended periods of time and effective against people, vehicles, and other manned or unmanned aircraft.

Integrated, scalable and selectable affects weapons with tunable destructive or less than lethal non-destructive potential that can provide this capability while limiting or eliminating collateral damage and casualties.

Clear buildings and facility of all personnel with or without entry to those facilities. Deliver scalable effects to clear perimeters of all personnel for SOF to operate in. Hail and warn non-combatants with the objective to determine hostile intent.

Technologies that provide lightweight, direct fire support weapons with enhanced blast, optimized fragmentation, combined effects, multi-option or smart fuses.